Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last week I did a tri-hog trade with another tri-hog breeder so I could get some new blood line in my collection and the one I got from him is not doing to well. It looks dehydrated and has lots of thick white cheeses stuff in its mouth and acts like it is having a hard time breathing from it. Im just wondering if anyone has seen this before and could give me any info on what it could be, before I take it to the vet . it has ate one f/t unscented pinkie and has been kept a about 81 degrees on paper towels with a small water bowl. Any help would be helpful. Thanks.

JIM

I would take straight to a vet...I lost 2 females this year to different ailments because of my own procrastination (sp?) Thought I would learn my lesson the first time!! I will do some research and see what I can find out.
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Jenea

1:0 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

"Mouth Rot (Infectious or Ulcerative Stomatitis): Is a progressive bacterial infection involving the oral lining. It may begin with increased salivation. Often saliva bubbles from the mouth. Close inspection of the oral lining reveals tiny pinpoint areas of bleeding. The oral lining becomes increasingly inflamed and pus begins to accumulate within the mouth, especially among the rows of teeth. As the disease progresses, the underlying bone becomes infected and the teeth fall out. This infection must be recognized in the early stages to successfully reverse it. The hobbyist must seek veterinary help when mouth rot is first evident. The veterinarian may want to collect a saliva/pus specimen for bacterial culture and subsequent antibiotic sensitivity testing to determine the appropriate antibiotic(s) to use. A blood sample can also be collected to accurately assess the internal and overall status of the patient. Mouth rot often is an external manifestation of more serious internal problems. Initial treatment involves injections of vitamins A, C and B complex, as well as a "best guess" antibiotic (one that the veterinarian believes has the best chance of fighting the infection until the results of antibiotic sensitivity tests are available). Supportive care involves daily or twice-daily cleansing of the mouth, application of topical antibiotics, administration of fluids to combat dehydration and the possible detrimental effects of certain antibiotics, and periodic forced-feedings (using a stomach tube). Generally, snakes with heavy accumulations of pus and infected bones of the jaw are unlikely to be saved, even with aggressive veterinary efforts. You must be alert to the early stages of the disease and periodically inspect the mouth for signs of mouth rot."

Got this off of a vet. website.
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Jenea

1:0 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

its not at all like moulth rot. its more like a moulth full of mashed potatos. thanks.

JIM

From the same website.....note the highlighted section.

"Abscesses: Abscesses are a common form of bacterial infection in snakes. They can be external and/or internal in location. External abscesses most often result from bite wounds (usually inflicted by live prey animal) and other injuries (especially puncture wounds) to the skin. Internal abscesses may be located within one or more organs and/or within the body cavity. Snakes rarely produce liquid pus. Instead, their pus is generally cheesy in consistency. This makes treatment with antibiotics difficult because these drugs cannot penetrate this relatively solid material. External abscesses can be surgically opened and flushed by a veterinarian. A specimen of pus can be submitted to a laboratory for bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing. The snake can be treated with the appropriate antibiotic by injection, and the abscess cavity treated with topical antibiotics. Abscesses within the body are not equally accessible for treatment. A blood workup and/or radiographs (x-rays) may be necessary to confirm their presence. Though surgery may be necessary under certain circumstances, long-term antibiotic therapy by injection and appropriate supportive care are the treatments most likely to be employed by the veterinarian."
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Jenea

1:0 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

n/p
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Jenea

1:0 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

In my experience, by the time a snake shows trouble with breathing, things are already very bad. There isn't anything better you could do than taking it to a vet. Make sure you let the guy you traded with know what's up, this type of thing didn't just pop in the week you've had it.

Post back and let us know how it turns out.
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Virginia Herping
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS
Virginia Herpetological Society
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS

If there is a just God, how humanity would writhe in its attempt to justify its treatment of animals. - Isaac Asimov

Jim,

Sounds like you are dealing with a nasty case of mouth rot. I've saved a couple leopard geckos in the past that arrived with mouth rot by swabbing the mouth clean twice daily (I caught it early on). I would clean away the "nasty crusty/cheesy junk" and then dab listerine on the wounds with a cotton swab.

Sounds like the snake you are dealing with has had this problem for quite some time... it's very unfortunate someone would let a snake get that bad. And then sell/ship it.

If you don't think it's mouth rot, then RI could be the problem. I lost a couple ball pythons a few years back that came in with RI. The vet tried everything he could to no avail. When things got really bad they would weeze and constantly kept their head raised. When you would open the mouth it had quite a bit of thick mucus that coule be what you are descibing.

I would be pretty upset with who-ever sent you this snake...
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com
Leos Anonymous
Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, Albino W.Hognose
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Signature file edited; [phw 9/26/04]

To sum up what others have said... if it's having a hard time breething, take to the vet.

Let him/her decide what's wrong and how to treat it.

Ian