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

[nicoleebriannee]

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

[Rhobbs0223]

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.

[anicatgirl]

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...?

[nicoleebriannee]

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?

[nicoleebriannee]

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.

[anicatgirl]

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/

[nicoleebriannee]

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.

[The Golem]

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

[PitOnTheProwl]

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 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?**

[nicoleebriannee]

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.