Tiny red specks in ball python's mouth

[sageofforest]

Okay, I tried extensively looking up similar cases and even mouth rot. My ball is almost 2 years old. He has always been healthy and ate good, wonderful temperament, etc. I check him every so often just to make sure he's healthy and today I was checking his mouth. I saw a about 2 or 3 red specks along his nottom and upper gum lines. He acted normal and active, no mucus in nostrils/mouth/pits, no gasping, gums are pink despite the specks, breathing normal. I can post a picture later if needed, I'm at work right now. He eats pre-killed small rats, temperatures are 90 on one side, where he stays typically in his hide, and 75 to 80 on the other. Humidity is a little low sometimes, is the only problem I can think of. No exposure to other reptiles. I get him out often, because he enjoys it. He's very curious. Anyways, he's my baby and I'm so worried. Any help is appreciated. Sorry if this has been on here previoisly, but I searched and found nothing like mine. Thanks again!

[sageofforest]

Disregard the couple typos, I'm typing from my phone. I'm new here.

[GoFride]

How do you open his mouth? How often? And what are you using to hold his mouth open while you inspect? I think it's great that you're keeping such close watch for any health issues. It's possible, however, that you may just need to give him a little bit of a break from the mouth exams, since he's been healthy up to now.

[Flikky]

I don't know what you're seeing but if there aren't any other problems with him- especially his eating- then I wouldn't worry about it

[sageofforest]

Normally, I just do a small mouth inspection to make sure he doesn't have any substrate pieces around his gums. When I do this, I just gently lift the sides of his lips up with my thumb (I always wash my hands before hand), and just check. He's surprisingly never gets too irritated when I do this, but I only do this seldom. When I got home from work earlier, I used a clean q-tip to ease his mouth open to check the roof of it. I researched a lot about mouth rot previous to posting this and saw that it was common for the roof of the mouth to develop spots. I bumped the humidity up some, as it was low. I have a hard time keeping the humidity straight in the apartment I recently moved into this year. He seems to be doing fine, he's actually being active and flicking his tongue a lot. Still no other symptoms, and seems to be perfectly fine still yet. I figure I'll just keep monitoring his behavior for the next few days just in case, but you guys are right I'm sure. I'll take your advice about giving him a break! I really appreciate the replies. It'd just kill me if he got an RI or mouth rot. Thanks guys.

[gsarchie]

Yes, sounds fine to me in spite of the spots given everything else that you've provided information-wise. I would say that there is no reason to ever pysically open his mouth it inspect for anything unless you have a reason to. When you handle him just hold his head close to your ear and if you don't hear any clicking or popping, then do a visual inspection of his lip line for any bumps or abnormalities that would be indicative of substrate in his mouth, and if everything looks and sounds good then I would say you are fine. Even that is going above and beyond, I think, but by all means keep it up, as you'll likely catch any problems that do arise early on.

[sageofforest]

Okay, I feel so relieved now. I'll definitely lay off with checking him out so often. He seems to be very healthy and happy, so there really isn't a reason to be overly cautious anyways. I guess I just tend to worry sometimes. Yoshi is my first snake, and I made sure to be very well-informed before I got him, and to stay that way even afterwards. I feel like there's something that can always be learned. Never hurts to get advice from more experienced herp owners. Thanks.