Thank you both for your input!
I did some more calling, and found a vet clinic that has seen snakes before and when I told the receptionist the problem, she consulted the doc. and told me over the phone that it would probably need an antibiotic shot, possibly aspiration / draining, cleaning and an antibiotic prescription...Sounded like she knew what she was talking about, so I will be traveling ~45 minutes on Saturday to see her.
So far, there is no other visible swelling... I will keep swabbing the area with chlorhex. and keep the temps up / tub clean and dry until I go Saturday. I will give you guys an update on what the vet says. This vet is in Auburn, AL, which is where Auburn university's vet school is.. They do have a clinic, but have very limited hours (9-3pm on weekdays) so if I need further help after this vet sees him, I may try them... I just wish they had more extended hours.
I wish that I could get a pic to show you guys, but he will not tolerate holding still and I have a very crappy cell phone camera.
I absolutely hate restraining him and opening his mouth...He is a little guy (~3 year old CA motley) and his head is only about 2" long... I always feel like I will injure him.
I wish I knew what caused this... I never see him roaming his tub, so I don't think it is pushing (no outside wounds / scrapes either). I do know I was having heating issues on his rack and think the temps got a little too low... I now have it on a new herpstat probe / unit which has solved that problem. None of the other snakes in that rack have had any issues.
Thank you again for your help!
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