Help please?

[musicalKeyes]

So, I know this is in the wrong place but I don't know where else to put it, and I thought the situation might be similar to a BP, maybe.

So. I have two little Smooth Green Snakes. Today I noticed one's through is extremely puffy. He is eating fine and drinking fine, but it doesn't look good at all. I'm wondering if maybe he swallowed some dirt? they do have about two or three inches in the bottom of their little tank.

Here are some pictures of both of them, for comparison. keep in mind, these guys are maybe three or four inches long.


The sick guy:


And the healthy on for comparison:




Sorry again for putting this in the wrong place, and I hope someone has an idea of what this is. I'd love to take it to the vet, but he's awfully small, so I don't know if too much can be done. I did manage to open his mouth carefully a bit and didn't see anything, but it was really hard to tell.

Thanks in advance

[BPelizabeth]

wow he is kind of swollen! I totally have no idea and I apologize. Have you tried to go on Fauna Classifieds? If there is nothing on there you might be at least able to find a breeder and give him a call. If not....I personally would take him to the vet by tomorrow afternoon.

Sorry I could not be any more help to you.

[jjmitchell]

Wow.. I wish i could be some help but honestly I have no idea...

[CoolioTiffany]

He seems too little to have his mouth opened by yourself but if you can try, try getting his mouth open to see what's going on because he definitely looks swollen. I would hate for this little guy to become impacted,

Gently put a very SMALL amount of press when you have a hold of the sides of the back of the head. You will notice the snake will open its mouth slightly. Try putting the middle of a Q-tip/cotton swab in the mouth horizontally. Now take the Q-tip/cotton swab and move it downwards so the mouth opens up. Try to get a good look inside

[musicalKeyes]

Thanks guys. I think I'll call the vet tomorrow and see if there's anything he can do, they're just so small...

He seems too little to have his mouth opened by yourself but if you can try, try getting his mouth open to see what's going on because he definitely looks swollen. I would hate for this little guy to become impacted,

Gently put a very SMALL amount of press when you have a hold of the sides of the back of the head. You will notice the snake will open its mouth slightly. Try putting the middle of a Q-tip/cotton swab in the mouth horizontally. Now take the Q-tip/cotton swab and move it downwards so the mouth opens up. Try to get a good look inside

That's exactly what i tried to do, except I had to strip the Q-tip until it was small enough to fit. I didn't see anything in there, but he's just so darn small, it's hard to tell

[CoolioTiffany]

Well can you take a photo of what you see in there? If your camera is good with macros of course.

[musicalKeyes]

Well can you take a photo of what you see in there? If your camera is good with macros of course.

I'll give it a try, these guys don't exactly sit still for more than .34 seconds.

[seeya205]

Did it swell up over night? Do you house them together? If its eating fine then maybe its just a female and thats why it is bigger! I am just guessing at what it may be!

[mpkeelee]

i heard that these snakes do not do very well in captivity. and when sick they do not recover all that well especially when that young. it looks like an infection or absess to me but i am definitely NOT an expert. i have never seen that before so a vet is prolly the best idea

[BPelizabeth]

Please let us know how it goes and what your vets says. I am so sorry that he isn't feeling well. I hope that all goes well. By the way....thank you for being such a good reptile keeper and taking him in.