Brown scab on lip?

[pedipalp]

Hello! My newest baby ball python has a brownish spot where his lips meet. It must be new and was not there a few days ago (which was when we was fed last). Could this be mouth rot? Or could it be that he may have scratched himself while eating (he was fed a fresh killed hopper)?
His temps are good— 92-94 hot spot and 79-80 ambient, measured with a digital temp gun. He’s in a 10 gallon with lots of decor and 4 hides to choose from, and part of the screen lid covered to keep in humidity. He hasn’t missed a meal in the time I’ve had him (about a month), & his behavior is pretty normal and he seems content.
I’m not sure if this is even what mouth rot looks like since I have no experience with it, but I’m an overly paranoid pet parent. I’m haven’t seen the inside of his mouth, but it doesn’t seem like here’s any swelling around his mouth at all. If it’s just a minor scab, will it just take care of itself when he sheds it off?
I’m extremely inept at forums and can’t figure out how to attach images on mobile, I hope it’s okay for me to link the images directly.
http://66.media.tumblr.com/941810536...elcot_1280.jpg
http://66.media.tumblr.com/0d86dd269...elcot_1280.jpg
Any input is greatly appreciated, and sorry for the poor photo quality; I wanted to use flash for a clearer picture but a snake that white just glows!

[Tonald Drump]

Since no one's replied so far, I'll just provide some input in my minimalistic experience (lol). The brown spots are probably on the corner of your BP's mouth, Pylox has those as a pattern so it should be ok

Sent from my vivo 1601 using Tapatalk

[pedipalp]

That’s just the thing, he’s completely leucistic and has almost no markings at all, except for an extremely faint line of cream colored scales that runs down his back. I’m *really* hoping it’s just a scab that will take care of itself, since I just spent a ton of money on another pet’s vet bills a few weeks ago. I work at an exotic pet shop, so I’ll take him in tomorrow and have my boss see what he thinks.

[Armiyana]

Is he on coconut fiber bedding? Because it just looks like a small bit of it may have gotten caught in his lip to me.


Definitely keep an eye on it. If there is any swelling that starts or it worsens, get to a vet.
He's young, so he might of just gotten some substrate caught while eating. Or exploring. Or a small scab if he's been rubbing at the lid a bit. Keep an eye out for that.
But it doesn't look too bad. Just pronounced because it's on an all white snake.

[Tila]

Just a thought: could it be dried mouse blood? Have you tried wiping it off gently with a wet paper towel? Having someone experienced look in his mouth might give you some more information but I'm wondering if it might've just been a messy meal...

[Bogertophis]

I think he's been chewing tobacco...just kidding! It really does just look like he stuffed a little substrate* in the front of his mouth...and before I'd take him
ANYWHERE (exposing him to chill temps & germs from other herps!) I'd use a blunt object (like a tongue depressor) to open his mouth & have a look, & maybe
flush his mouth out w/ a bit of water. (*since he was just fed, it could also be rodent poo that didn't get swallowed with the rodent itself & tends to be stuck on
the back end...)

[Craiga 01453]

Like mentioned above, it looks like substrate to me.

Follow the advice above and see if you can clean it up yourself.

Also, your hot side temps are too high. 90 max is best.

[Tonald Drump]

That’s just the thing, he’s completely leucistic and has almost no markings at all, except for an extremely faint line of cream colored scales that runs down his back. I’m *really* hoping it’s just a scab that will take care of itself, since I just spent a ton of money on another pet’s vet bills a few weeks ago. I work at an exotic pet shop, so I’ll take him in tomorrow and have my boss see what he thinks.

Oh, sorry about not knowing he's leucistic, my phone won't load the pics on tapatalk well wish you luck, hopefully it's just substrate or mouse poop like the others have said and nothing serious

Sent from my vivo 1601 using Tapatalk

[Bogertophis]

Pedipalp, if you're afraid to open his mouth (or afraid to hurt him by doing so), you might hold him gently & just run his face back & forth a few times under
gently running cool water...that may be enough to dislodge whatever is stuck in his jaw? If not, it's no big deal...also dipping his face into his water bowl may
get him to drink also. This would be less invasive than forcibly opening his mouth.

[pedipalp]

Thanks everyone for the input! I took a damp q-tip and gently rubbed at his lip and he popped his mouth open for me on his own; it wasn’t substrate as he’s kept on paper towel but whatever it is it isn’t mouth rot and some of it flaked off on he q tip, so it’s either a very minor scab or a little bit of dried on poo I will definitely keep an eye out for swelling or irritation but it seems like he’s just fine and I really was just being an overly paranoid dad Thank you all so much!