The importance of checking your snakes....*graphic pic of pus*

[iPanda]

So, I like to think half the appeal of snakes is the low maintenance factor...but always remember to check your snakes daily!! This is why.

Last night my big retic shed. He's notorious for being a BAD pusher, no matter how full, what temps, how many hides or what size container. He's been better as of late, but he still rubs here and there. Anywho, i was taking him out to clean up his shed, and see this:



Nasty, right? Showed up OVERNIGHT. I check him nightly. So, there i was thinking it was just a scab from rubbing, so I pull as much off as he would let me and cleaned it with betadine. So today, I go in to clean again...this time, armed with needle nose pliers. this is the result of that:



NASTY. This thing was as big as the tip of his nose, poor guy. Moral of the story, is check for infections OFTEN. I got super lucky that this didn't spread to his brain or further into his mouth.

[OctagonGecko729]

What size enclosure is this guy in and what size is the animal? I know retics rub even in larger enclosures but it definitely gets bad if they are in too small of an enclosure. If its an infection then you may want to take him in to a vet to get antibiotics. Glad you got that out though, that will definitely give him some relief.

[iPanda]

He's actually doing better in a much smaller enclosure. I used to have him in a 55gal turned on its side and covered so that it kept heat and humidity up...and he would rub constantly. I put him in a tub half that size, and he sits in the corner, content as could be xD He's about 8ft. My herp vet says to keep it clean with betadine, scrub it daily and he should be fine. If it gets worse we'll do antibiotics, but because it had zero smell and wasn't yellow or green, it should be fine.

[MootWorm]

I'm on the app, so I can't zoom in on the pic. What is that thing!?


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[iPanda]

It's a thing of pus that was in his lip.

[Daybreaker]

I have been dealing with this EXACT same thing with my retic female over the last 6 months or so off and on. I wonder if she may be smooshing her face against herself as I always find her curled up tight as a bug in her hide. x2 on diluted betadine swabs to the area doing wonders.

[iPanda]

It could be an impacted tooth too! They're super common. Best of luck with your girl =3

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[MootWorm]

It's a thing of pus that was in his lip.

And you just pulled that out with a pair of pliers!? Ewwww. Lol that said, I kind of want to dissect it. But I'm weird like that

[iPanda]

And you just pulled that out with a pair of pliers!? Ewwww. Lol that said, I kind of want to dissect it. But I'm weird like that

Haha there was nothing in it but pus xD I had to dissect to rule out an impacted tooth. Almost puked the entire time...but at the same time it was so satisfying. ..almost like popping a zit...

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