Mucus/Drooling from mouth...

[Jerhart]

I have a female BP about 2.5 years. I fed her a live medium rat about 3 days ago. She is a picky eater and will not eat f/t only live. I left the rat in over nite and she ate it. I was just inspecting her today and notice her mouth doesnt seem like it is lining up correctly. Her "lips" in the front of her mouth are not meeting. She also has some mucus secreting from her mouth. I used a q-tip to open her mouth to look for mouth rot and found no signs, but she practically "drooled" on me. The rest of my BP in the rack seem fine, and they are not being cooled so I see no signs of RI. Any ideas?
-Josh

[JLC]

Could be RI, even if no one else shows signs of it. Could be an injury caused by the rat? Maybe not something you can see, but something that is causing her body to react that way to try and heal itself? Sounds like a trip to the vet asap is in order.


I feed live to my snakes as well...but I would never leave a live rat in with them for more than a few moments at the most. Live rats (or even mice) left unattended for a long stretch of time can cause severe injuries.

[slartibartfast]

Although you say you see no signs of an RI, chances are you're looking some right now. Mucous drainage from the mouth is almost always a sign of an RI.

Get her to a reptile vet and get her checked out ASAP, better safe than sorry. You might find that she's a better eater for you once this is cleared up.

[elevatethis]

Take her to the Vet...it sucks, but the longer you wait the worse off she'll be...

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I have a female BP about 2.5 years. I fed her a live medium rat about 3 days ago. She is a picky eater and will not eat f/t only live. I left the rat in over nite and she ate it. I was just inspecting her today and notice her mouth doesnt seem like it is lining up correctly. Her "lips" in the front of her mouth are not meeting. She also has some mucus secreting from her mouth. I used a q-tip to open her mouth to look for mouth rot and found no signs, but she practically "drooled" on me. The rest of my BP in the rack seem fine, and they are not being cooled so I see no signs of RI. Any ideas?
-Josh

Obviously there is something wrong and regardless of what it is, it would be impossible for anyone to diagnose your snake online, we can try to guess but the best way to know is for you to take your BP to an herp vet ASAP here is how to find one in your area http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm

Oh and regarding your feeding, please be a responsible owner and do not leave a prey unattended with your BP, it is dangerous and could lead to serious injuries.

[Jerhart]

Obviously there is something wrong and regardless of what it is, it would be impossible for anyone to diagnose your snake online, we can try to guess but the best way to know is for you to take your BP to an herp vet ASAP here is how to find one in your area http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm

Oh and regarding your feeding, please be a responsible owner and do not leave a prey unattended with your BP, it is dangerous and could lead to serious injuries.

I have had her for about 2 years and she has NEVER ate in front of me, and will only eat in the evening. I have 14 Ball Pythons now, I have some that only eat live, some F/T. Some only eat rats, some only eat mice. FYI, I do consider myself a responsible owner, out of my 14 pythons, I have never had a problem with one until now...if I was not responsible, I would probably have left this untreated and never worried about it....thanks.

[Jerhart]

Well I had a HORRIBLE experience at the vet. I took yalls advice and brought my ball to the vet. Since I see myself as a RESPONSIBLE OWNER this was my first time to the vet...Long story short, the vet had no idea what was wrong with my ball...and I left frustrated with $115 bill..

-$45 for the exam...this was expected
-$26.75 to scope the mucus...which he found nothing odd
-$14.38 for silvadene cream...he was worried about some skin that looked "dead"...seriously? Perhaps some shed I need to peal off..
-$17.44 for Baytril Suspension...just in case she has rpi
-$11.90 for Ben-Bac...Just in case it is stomatis...

OH and this tops it off...at the begining, his Asst. asked me questions about how I was keeping her. She asked me if I use any Flouresent (sp) lighting...I said ummmm no, I have a rack...she said ok? So, at the end of the checkup once the vet left to rack up my bill, he sent her (vet asst.) in to give me the meds and "oh by the way, he (the vet) said you need to have a flourescent bulb on him during the day so that he can absorb the appropriate vitamins..." I basically rolled my eyes and said whatever....

Sorry guys...I know I did the right thing by taking her in...but as you can see, I am a little frustrated. I just spent $115 and still dont know why? And I got lectured about putting a Flourescent bulb over me snake?

BTW... I do NOT reccomend Darren Roush DVM @ Gentle Care Animal Hospital, 601 Kasold, suite D 105, Lawrence KS, 60049


-Josh

[elevatethis]

I thought that asking the Vet if they treated herps on a regular basis was kind of implied...sorry about that.

Find a better Vet and get a second opinion...but with everything you got...I think $115 is getting out easy compared to some others I've heard about!

[Jerhart]

I asked if they treated reptiles...this was my first time taking a reptile to a vet, so I found it kind of odd...not to mention when the vet came in he said "another ball python" apparently I was the 3rd ball owner he had seen this week...

...the $115 is understandable...I have a couple of pugs who have racked up the vet bill usually a couple times a year so I am aware of the cost...the difference is when I pay that kind of money on my dogs...I walk out of the vet clinic with my mind at peace...knowing what is up with my animals...Today I dropped $115...and I don't know why? You guys and gals on this Thread have helped me more than the vet has...I agree, I need to find another vet, but seriously...I got lectured on how my Ball Python NEEDS a flourescent light on top of her, within at least 18" of the snake...

Again you all have been great to me, I am just a bit frustrated...I am a college student, $115 is a lot of money to me...

[recycling goddess]

i would have refused to pay myself. cause you didn't actually get any care... which is what they were charging you for.

/rant