Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. OK, first of all, my 10 foot male retic had a really bad abcess last year. He got bitten by a not completely stunned live rat that I gave him because i ran out of frozen and couldn't find anymore for a few weeks so I had to get live from a local pet store. It had to be lanced and he needed antibiotic injections for about a month. I know it sucks. I'm sorry. It was an accident. Anyway, he's missing a small piece of his bottom lip where the rat bit it off. Nice huh? I just noticed while I was feeding him, that he's growing a similar sized piece of skin off the center of his upper lip, right over where his tongue flicks out. Why is this happening? I've never seen or heard of anything like this before. It's like the skin is regenerating in the wrong place. IS this something I should be worried about? Any siggestions on what I should do or any similar experiences you can share and the outcome are extremely appreciated. I've had him since he was a baby and he's my favorite snake. I already had to deal with the abcess last year that almost killed him, now this. Thanks alot for any help.

>>Hi. OK, first of all, my 10 foot male retic had a really bad abcess last year. He got bitten by a not completely stunned live rat that I gave him because i ran out of frozen and couldn't find anymore for a few weeks so I had to get live from a local pet store. It had to be lanced and he needed antibiotic injections for about a month. I know it sucks. I'm sorry. It was an accident. Anyway, he's missing a small piece of his bottom lip where the rat bit it off. Nice huh? I just noticed while I was feeding him, that he's growing a similar sized piece of skin off the center of his upper lip, right over where his tongue flicks out. Why is this happening? I've never seen or heard of anything like this before. It's like the skin is regenerating in the wrong place. IS this something I should be worried about? Any siggestions on what I should do or any similar experiences you can share and the outcome are extremely appreciated. I've had him since he was a baby and he's my favorite snake. I already had to deal with the abcess last year that almost killed him, now this. Thanks alot for any help.
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It isn't "Ideas" that fail or succeed,... it is the "Systems" which are instilled to launch and sustain the idea that either fail or succeed.>[Me.]

.....been??? These forums are slow these days. Get yer arse back here!>>
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It isn't "Ideas" that fail or succeed,... it is the "Systems" which are instilled to launch and sustain the idea that either fail or succeed.>[Me.]

LMAO!! I've been here...just didn't have anything to say.

Since you have had trouble with him being bitten (and abcessing) and now he's developing problems with his face, I would never ever give him live food again. If you must buy live, throw the sucker in the freezer for the night and thaw it out the next day.

About that abnormal growth, without a picture it's impossible for any one of us to give you any real advice. So, I'll just say this, if it seems to interfere with normal activities, take him to the vet. If it seems to be an infection or become infected, take him to the vet. If he seems to be fine in all aspects except for a strange "growth," don't worry about it too much...just keep an eye on it.

freezing a mammal is a very painful death. It is a living being after all, regardless of whether it is destined to be a meal for another living being or not. I respectfully suggest cervical dislocation prior to freezing.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles
GiantFeeders

I'm sure she meant to kill it, THEN freeze it. She's as much an animal lover as we are. I know this personally. So I doubt she meant that.

>>freezing a mammal is a very painful death. It is a living being after all, regardless of whether it is destined to be a meal for another living being or not. I respectfully suggest cervical dislocation prior to freezing.
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>>Marcia Pimentel
>>Tango River Reptiles
>>GiantFeeders
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It isn't "Ideas" that fail or succeed,... it is the "Systems" which are instilled to launch and sustain the idea that either fail or succeed.>[Me.]

I know several people who have mentioned this "killing" method and it puts my hair on end so I just took it to mean what it said. I apologize to you (Sybella) if I offended.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles
GiantFeeders

Nah, no offense taken...no big deal.

Thanks, Brian.