Can someone help me identify what's wrong with my ball python? Looks like mouth sore

Hey, sorry if this post belongs somewhere else. I'm new to the forums, but I'm a little stumped here.

My ball python is a little over 2 years old and weighs a little over 400 grams. She's got a wonderful temperature gradient, good humidity, and is in general a very happy snake. She's never gone off of feed, and has only had one bad stress induced shed when we moved out of state.

Recently I upped her food size from adult mice to small rats which she takes with no problems.

Lately I've been noticing strange bits of swollen skin around her lips. Her jaw closes fine, and it doesn't seem to bother her, but it worries me.

I took her to the vet to get her looked at and he gave her two weeks of antibiotics just in case it was mouth rot or an infection of some sort, but they did nothing. The inside of her mouth has been pink and healthy since before treatment and in the weeks after. I check every day.

Do you think she's maybe stretched her mouth too far over the larger prey items and hurt her mouth? Maybe hurt some scales? It doesn't seem like scale rot, as her hides are dry unless she's going into shed and I convert one of them into a humid hide.

The vet really seems to have no idea and its looking like I'm going to have to get a new one. Either way, this is my sweetest girl and I want her taken care of at any expense.

What should I do?

(Also in the pics I've uploaded, I'm not hurting her, just holding her steady. She doesn't like the camera, lol.)

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/show...mageuser=58315

I am no expert just throwing out a thought. Could she have hurt a tooth. A buddy of mine has one with an abscessed tooth. His whole head is swollen one one side.

That seems not good, although I am no expert. Though time to find a different Vet I think. Do you have a breeder nearby whom you could ask the opinion of, if there is not a reptile vet around?

Also BUMP for the more experience keepers...?

Hurt tooth could definitely be something.

The swelling is a little bit on the inside of her mouth as well. Still pink and healthy, just strange little pieces of skin on either side of the bottom jaw.

They don't really swell up too bad unless I give her a soak.

Is there anything I can do about that? Aside from keeping it clean of course?

And as far as breeders or exotic vets, nobody too close by. I'm in Colorado Springs so all I've really got is a reptile shop that I could teach a thing or two.

I messaged a friend out sorta near you and he sent me some vet links. I dunno if any could help, but I'd at least give 'em a ring.

http://www.dublinanimalhospital.com/

http://aspenviewvet.com/our_staff.html

http://www.highplainsvet.com/

http://www.yorkshirevetclinic.com/about-us.html

http://ajssnakehouse.webstarts.com/available.html

http://www.corhs.org/index.php

http://coloradocorns.com/contact/

I've been in contact with dublin. When I called they said they didn't deal with reptiles, but maybe I misunderstood.

Thanks so much, very helpful. I'll make a few calls in the morning if no one else knows what's wrong.

I'm a little short on cash at the moment but I'm sure it'll be okay.

What do people use when transporting BP to a vet? Pillowcase inside a small box?

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Originally Posted by nicoleebriannee

he gave her two weeks of antibiotics just in case it was mouth rot or an infection of some sort, but they did nothing.

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The problem with medicating an unknown problem is now it could build up a tolerance to the antibiotic if the dose was not high enough to kill it.
Find a different vet.
I wont use a vet for any of my animals that just wants to "push pills".
Would like to see a couple better/close up photos.


**Just noticed you had more photos. Is that a piece of scale missing or different color?**

Yeah it's looking like I learned that one the hard way. I can try and get some more pictures when I get home but my camera is pretty awful and its hard for me to get good ones :(

And if you mean on the bottom jaw, its just a different color. Been that way since I got her.

I just need to know what to do about these mouth sores.

2 years old and only 400 grams?

I transport mine in her snake bag and a cardboard box with holes for longer trips.

I just sent you the links he sent me, and according to their website they supposedly deal in exotics and reptiles. IDK. Hopefully someone can at least off advice and maybe the breeder would check it out for free an offer an opinion. :D

Little under two years old, little over 400 grams.

We got her at a pet shop when she was young. We've personally only had her since last February. They didn't tell us her exact age y'know.

And thanks so much for those links. I needed an exotic vet. Super helpful!

And as far as the move, we basically did the same thing minus the bag. It was dark and secure but it must not have been dark and secure enough.

(I should invest in a transport bag, huh? :P)

If anyone is still watching this I contacted a vet who reccomended chlorhexidine soaks. Will get after the snow storm and post results

Still watching!!! Let us know plz

Hey, sorry for the wait. Ordered the chlorhexadine solution online while she shed since I couldn't find it anywhere in stores.

However, the shed went great and took the problem with it. Weirdest thing, still have no idea what it was. Inside of her mouth looks great and the swollen skin has disappeared leaving nothing behind. Maybe they were scabs from over extension during feeding time that had healed and just needed removed... Either way, it seems good now.

Disinfected the cage again, and everything seems back to normal.

Thanks again to everyone that replied.

Glad it went away. Does sort of sound like they were scabs or dead skin if they disappeared with the shed. Just wanted to double check that you found a better vet? Always nice to have one nearby even if you don't use them.

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Originally Posted by AnnaK231

Glad it went away. Does sort of sound like they were scabs or dead skin if they disappeared with the shed. Just wanted to double check that you found a better vet? Always nice to have one nearby even if you don't use them.

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What she said!

I did find a better vet, thank you all so much for your help :)

completely off topic i know but i love hoggies, why don't you post us some pics of your hognose collection?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nicoleebriannee

Little under two years old, little over 400 grams.
We got her at a pet shop when she was young. We've personally only had her since last February. They didn't tell us her exact age y'know.

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I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I've had yearlings twice this size. You sure it's not maybe just a few months old? At 2 years old, it'd have to be at least 1,000 grams I'd think...

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Originally Posted by pythonminion

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I've had yearlings twice this size. You sure it's not maybe just a few months old? At 2 years old, it'd have to be at least 1,000 grams I'd think...

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Depends on the eating habits, I have a couple that are between 400g and 700g. These are usually the ones that will only eat monthly only.

I only have one hoggie, and boy is he a squirmy little devil.

I can post some pics though! My camera is pretty bad :(

ok i posted them they're on my page :)

OH and regarding the weights, I'm SO sorry to those of you who were worried about her. I haven't checked this page in a while since her issue was gone.

My old vet was a total quack. I'm not even sure what unit of measurement he could've possibly been using.

I need to get a scale myself pretty damn bad. 400 seemed a little low to me too. I just took her to a herp vet the other day. She's actually 1127 grams right now. She's a pretty big girl, almost 3 feet, pretty healthy size.

Good to hear! Glad you upgraded vets!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nicoleebriannee

OH and regarding the weights, I'm SO sorry to those of you who were worried about her. I haven't checked this page in a while since her issue was gone.

My old vet was a total quack. I'm not even sure what unit of measurement he could've possibly been using.

I need to get a scale myself pretty damn bad. 400 seemed a little low to me too. I just took her to a herp vet the other day. She's actually 1127 grams right now. She's a pretty big girl, almost 3 feet, pretty healthy size.

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That sounds about right.