Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Gud day sir/maam, just wanna open my hognose problem.. it has a disease that im not familiar with, just wanna know ur opinions coz tom will be my schedule to meet up w/ a vet.. its head is enlarged, much more like a puffer fish, making it impossible to eat live food. Infection on the head area may be the reason. It has it has a few bumps on the sides, meaning it is heavily paratizied. What may be the cause of the disease and does anyone here has actually experienced having the same problem? If there is, what may be the best thing to do or give the snake? I really need ur answers asap, i would really appreciate it..

The signs you are describing appear to be a secondary manifestation of the disease rather than the actual disease itself. The disease/infection is presenting with swelling of the submandibular lymph nodes, thus causing the "swelling of the head". This can occur in cases of encephalitis, severe stomatitis or any other local "cephalic" infection and I would not rule out the slight possibility of lymphosarcoma. You can treat the signs (and hopefully alleviate some of the swelling) at home by flushing the mouth with dilute hydrogen peroxide (will work wonders if the disease is stomatitis), however, you need to get your snake to the nearest herp veterinarian *immediately* so that you may obtain the doctor's clinical diagnosis and treat the underlying problem(s). Diseases such as these can quickly overtake the animal and the onset of death can be rapid.

Jennifer

tnx jennifer, really appreciate ur time for answering my question. How stupid of me to forget bout lymph nodes sweling during infection! tnx for the advice bout flushing w/ hydrogen peroxode, but can u tell me how 2 flush its mouth? and what can i give the animal as a supplement? todays my schedule to a vet. i'll let u know wat happens.. tnx again

Joseph
Philippines