Please help! GTP with swollen face?
Hello... I've been meaning to join the forum for a while now, and sad that this has to be my first post, but I have a problem.
I am a fairly new snake enthusiast; I started my collection about a year ago and it has quickly grown. My newest addition was a pair of amazing, lovely GTPs. They have been perfectly fine the last few months; both are great snakes and allow me to handle them without any aggression. The previous owner told me they are a mated pair, but I of course keep them in separate enclosures (as he did.)
In the last few days the male's face has become puffy and swollen (it was very slight at first so I thought it was in my imagination, but now it is impossible to ignore.) That's him in my avatar, but right now his head is puffed up to a much larger size. I've set up an appointment for tomorrow with a local vet who is supposed to be experienced with reptiles, but in the meantime I was hoping someone with more experience could help me understand what is going on. I love all my snakes and I am so worried... :(
The information: Merlin is supposed to be about 3 or 4 years old. He has a suitable enclosure with a lamp. I'm afraid I've fallen a bit behind on misting his enclosure, but he does have a dish with water that I have seen him drinking from on several occasions. He last ate a few weeks ago; he refused the last f/t rat I offered him, but a bunch of my other snakes did the same that time, so I think I just tried to feed them at the wrong time.
I haven't noticed any marked changes in his behavior. He does not appear to have any inflammation, crusting or discharge around his mouth or vents, though I have not had a chance to look inside his mouth yet. His face just looks very puffy and swollen.
Thank you for your time... I'm really upset about this.
Re: Please help! GTP with swollen face?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
1nstinct
He could be getting ready to shed. My neo's head gets huge right when it is about to shed. After shed the grains back to normal.
Oh my god, would that be a relief... In fact, he /is/ about to shed — he just got out of the "milky eyes and pinkish belly" stage. So I'm really hoping that is what it is.
Re: Please help! GTP with swollen face?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
babyknees
Reminds me of
this post I saw a bit ago.
I'd also go on
here and post your question. That's a GTP specific forum and they're very knowledgeable.
Sorry I don't have an answer for you but I hope this information helps. I'd suggest going to see your local exotic vet as well.
Oh, wow... a punctured lung would be a lot scarier. He is definitely not that swollen and I don't think there is anything in his enclosure to cause such an injury, but I will get him checked out just in case.
Re: Please help! GTP with swollen face?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Evenstar
A picture would help. Can you post one for us? Just upload to somewhere like photobucket then just copy and paste the url into your post here.
They can sometimes appear a bit swollen when they are about to shed, but usually it is barely noticable at best. Hopefully, that's all it is, but a picture would help us say with more certainty.... :gj:
Oh! And WELCOME to the forum!! ;)
Thank you, Evenstar. Here are the links to my photos (for some reason, photobucket isn't opening for me...)
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bw7...1JucXQ5UkVIRm8
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bw7...ElPYkl4Q2dWX0k
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bw7...TYwVC1yQjJ3UWc
Here is a picture of him looking normal, for comparison:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bw7...kJZLUhkc2ROaVk
Re: Please help! GTP with swollen face?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Evenstar
That is NOT due to impending shed. He needs to see a vet. Post that picture and your question on
the Morelia Viridis Forum for help in the meantime. He could have an internal abscess or complications due to an RI. Please let us know what the vet says.....
Oh no... :( Are you sure? His head actually went down to normal size this morning and he's shedding right now and acting fine (a bit jumpy from the shed). I'll post some new pictures tomorrow when he's done shedding... in the meantime I'll keep a close eye on him.
