Mangrove Snake (boiga dendrophila) with horrible abscess on neck

[Anatopism]

We have been talking with our local herp vet, and she had a Mangrove Snake surrendered to her, because the previous owner could no longer care for it. He's put lots of money into this snake, who has been going to a different vet for a massive abscess on his neck. I'm uncertain of how long the snake has had the abscess, but it is bad.. I'll get pictures up later, along with the two types of bacteria that were found with the culture, and the types of antibiotics being used.

The previous vet opened up the abscess, cleaned it (supposedly), then stitched it back up. Nobody is sure if the snake was put on any sort of antibiotics previously.


We are pretty limited with knowledgeable vets in our area, but the vet who took him in is ambitious and is great at researching. She's open to suggestions that will help her learn, but since she can't keep the snake at the clinic and properly care for it the way it needs, we are fostering it and treating it for the time being. We got a small bottle of chlorhexidine to dilute and flush the wound with, and have antibiotics to treat with (will post later with names; at work and can't remember unfortunately).

What I'm looking for is advice specifically related to treating snake abscesses. I have lots of experience treating for abscesses with rats, turtles, and different species of lizards, but not with snakes. This thing looks BAD, but the snake is full of attitude/fight, and is apparently willing to eat still (though we've not tried yet as he just got home with us last night).


I will try to answer any questions that may help, and I greatly appreciate all advice for this guy.

[MSG-KB]

I was told last night before brad left. I hope it works out.

[Anatopism]

Photos -






He's actually looking a little better today than even yesterday. Was able to flush out quite a bit of pus, he put up little fight, thought he would musk me, but just wagged his tail around instead, trying to find something to grab onto.

[Skiploder]

We have been talking with our local herp vet, and she had a Mangrove Snake surrendered to her, because the previous owner could no longer care for it. He's put lots of money into this snake, who has been going to a different vet for a massive abscess on his neck. I'm uncertain of how long the snake has had the abscess, but it is bad.. I'll get pictures up later, along with the two types of bacteria that were found with the culture, and the types of antibiotics being used.

The previous vet opened up the abscess, cleaned it (supposedly), then stitched it back up. Nobody is sure if the snake was put on any sort of antibiotics previously.


We are pretty limited with knowledgeable vets in our area, but the vet who took him in is ambitious and is great at researching. She's open to suggestions that will help her learn, but since she can't keep the snake at the clinic and properly care for it the way it needs, we are fostering it and treating it for the time being. We got a small bottle of chlorhexidine to dilute and flush the wound with, and have antibiotics to treat with (will post later with names; at work and can't remember unfortunately).

What I'm looking for is advice specifically related to treating snake abscesses. I have lots of experience treating for abscesses with rats, turtles, and different species of lizards, but not with snakes. This thing looks BAD, but the snake is full of attitude/fight, and is apparently willing to eat still (though we've not tried yet as he just got home with us last night).


I will try to answer any questions that may help, and I greatly appreciate all advice for this guy.

In the past, my vet has put a drain/wick on large abscesses and the cleaning regimen has been two, sometime three times a day. The drain does not come out until the ascess is mostly resolved.

[Anatopism]

In the past, my vet has put a drain/wick on large abscesses and the cleaning regimen has been two, sometime three times a day. The drain does not come out until the ascess is mostly resolved.

Thanks Skiploder =) So far the abscess has been pretty easy to flush out, as it's a massive hole, and the skin isn't very close together to be able to close back up. I have had experience with a wick after my cat lost a fight (or maybe the other cat was worse off, I'm not sure really) and we had to drain a hole in his head. Not pleasant, but I will bring it up with the vet if this thing tries to close up.

[Marc from CT]

That's a sweet looking snake..Hope all works out for him/her..Do many people keep Mangroves?

[Anatopism]

That's a sweet looking snake..Hope all works out for him/her..Do many people keep Mangroves?

I haven't been able to find a lot of information on them.. lots of pages I've found online seem to all have been copied/pasted from each other, and not as much first hand experience. He's growing on me, and if he gets better, I'm not sure if we will rehome him or not. I feel bad that he's in such a tiny enclosure at the moment, but we are limiting him so he doesn't get into anything or cause further damage to the abscess. If he gets better, he would definitely make a lovely display animal. Such a different look/feel/everything compared to our pythons/dumerils.

It's my understanding that they can have a bit of an attitude, but again, this is from very limited information about them. Mildly venomous, rearfanged like hognose, but still not something you want to get bit by.. he may still be rear fanged, but it's one thing to avoid a goofy hognose opening it's tiny mouth at you, it's another thing to avoid this guy's gapingly huge (by comparison) mouth. Not to mention, similar to my carpet, he is deceivingly long. Doesn't seem that long in photos, but this thing just goes and goes.

He was apparently very cranky at the vet, trying to chew on gloves and thrashing around. He's been defensive a couple times with me, but for the most part doesn't really seem to care much. He was very well behaved last night when we squeezed out his neck.

[Evenstar]

Good luck with him - he really is a spectacular snake and it would be great if he can overcome this. I've had some experience with abscesses in dogs, but not in reptiles. I know you need to keep the wound open but clean while it drains (hence skiploader's suggestion of the wick) and you're smart to limit his movements right now.

Don't put ointment on it - that can make draining harder. I would just use water and sterile swabs to keep it clean for now and work closely with the vet. Sounds to me like you're doing everything right. Keep us posted!