An emergency!

[Immy]

I heard a loud squeak coming from my snakes cage. Concerned, I went to check him out, hoping maybe it was just a fart or him pooping. I checked the cage and I saw nothing. The first thought was a possible RTI. I checked a video out on YouTube on how to check for RTI in your snakes mouth. At first I went to peek through his gums and one side had a little blood while the other did not. I had to fully investigate the ordeal by opening his entire mouth. He squirmed a lot and did not want to open up, once I got his mouth opened, I saw that his nasal cavity was clear BUT his throat had blood in it! I have no idea what that might cause something like that. I hope i didn't squeeze to tightly on his jaws to get his mouth to open, but I'm pretty sure he was bleeding before i even touched him. I want to take him to the vet, but i want to know what you guys think of this too. He is in the beginnings of a shedding phase if this helps at all. I'd like anyone to give me a quick response, I am very worried.

[travis11]

Pics would be very helpful. With that said, the best thing you could do for your helpless snake.....IS GET IT TO THE VET A.S.A.P!!!!!! If it is in fact mouth rot or something of the sort, it can turn deadly pretty fast. I would do some research of your own.

There are a few home remedies to slow down bacteria from forming in the gums, but this depends on your level of security and expierience with the animal.

In the mean time, bump the temps up to 91-93 degrees.

.

[Immy]

If you could tell me the home remedies, that would be very much appreciated. There is little I can do at this point since the vet will be closed tomorrow. You said it can turn deadly pretty fast. How fast? Will he be ok until Monday? I'm freaking out.. Also when I do take him to the vet, what should I store him in? I don't have an insulated heat pad or anything. Will a pillow case or sterilite container suffice? I have boosted his temps already. I hope he'll be ok...

[Immy]

I just looked up Mouth Rot. It doesn't look like he has that.. yet. His mouth isn't gapping wide. Besides the blood in his throat, everything else looked pink and healthy looking.

[I-KandyReptiles]

If you could tell me the home remedies, that would be very much appreciated. There is little I can do at this point since the vet will be closed tomorrow. You said it can turn deadly pretty fast. How fast? Will he be ok until Monday? I'm freaking out.. Also when I do take him to the vet, what should I store him in? I don't have an insulated heat pad or anything. Will a pillow case or sterilite container suffice? I have boosted his temps already. I hope he'll be ok...

When I took my boy to the vet, it was quite hot out. I wrapped him up in a pillowcase, then laid the pillowcase in a clear container. Which was a great idea because he peed on the way on -.-

[dr del]

Hi,

It actually sounds like when you were handling him he might have cut the inside of his mouth a little on his teeth - those things are sharp.

Shedding can also cause them to make sounds when breathing as there is a layer of fluid between the old and new skins which can obstruct the nostrils.

I would wait until he has shed unless you see any other suspicious signs such as mucus in his waterbowl or smeared on cage furniture or him sitting for long periods with his mouth open and his head raised open mouth breathing.


dr del

[mackynz]

I use a q-tip to get the mouth open, wouldn't squeezing the jaw just lead to issues? Maybe not, I dunno...

[Immy]

Dr. Del, I think you are right. I just checked the sides of his gums and I didn't see blood this time. Then I used a q-tip to get his whole mouth open, he squirmed a lot and I wasn't able to have enough time to really check until his mouth closed, but I didn't see blood. I just saw a healthy pink mouth. But, just in case will I check for any symptoms. His eyes are turning into a beautiful blue hue, I rather not irritate him any longer. :3 Thanks again!

[MarkS]

Just as an aside, q-tips are not the greatest things for examining a snakes mouth. They can get their teeth stuck in the cotton tips and it's fairly easy to pull out some teeth when they jerk away, (maybe it's possible that's why you saw blood?) . Something smooth and rounded and hard plastic works better. Like the cap for a bic pen or something similar.

[mackynz]

Just as an aside, q-tips are not the greatest things for examining a snakes mouth. They can get their teeth stuck in the cotton tips and it's fairly easy to pull out some teeth when they jerk away, (maybe it's possible that's why you saw blood?) . Something smooth and rounded and hard plastic works better. Like the cap for a bic pen or something similar.

Cut the ends off!