At the clinic we actually use a plastic spatula (the sticks with the flat rubbery ends used to stir stuff) to open their mouths. The rubbery ends are soft enough that they wont scrape the inside of the mouth, and if the snake does bite down it's not going to hurt them either. When your giving the meds, there's really nothing to it. just make sure your not in the trachea. I'd keep the head elevated for about a 30 sec's or so, or at least hold your snake to where the head isn't in a downward slope to prevent anything from dripping out. Good luck!