Solana - Our Scaleless Sunglow Motley Corn

[dakski]

What a strange issue- I'll be honest, I've never heard of anyone "brushing" their snake's teeth. So you're saying this is a known issue with some scaleless snakes?

I hadn't heard of brushing a snakes teeth either. I have heard of brushing/removing harder plaque like mouth rot before. Unfortunately, I learned that when Cleo (leopard Gecko) had cancer and her immune system got very week. The vet recommended doing that with a mild cholrhexidine solution that they pre-mixed for me based on her weight and severity.

This was with a small soft paint brush and I didn't use any kind of cleaner. I think that did about 20% and the shed did the rest.

Both Don Soderberg and Brian (from Riverside Reptiles), who have way more experience than I do with reptiles, mentioned it. Brian from his scaleless texas rat and Don who breed scaleless snakes. Don said there is variation and some are impacted by this issue more than others. He has a few snakes who he has to look at/address 1X a year he said. Brian had just adopted this texas rat and it had been neglected, which might have something to do with it.

Solana is not neglected, is in a very clean environment (paper substrate, regular cleanings, etc.), but only has that 1 row of scales around her mouth. I think the issue occurs because her mouth becomes more exposed when she gets closer to shed.

I guess I got lucky with Solana . Either way, probably being a little over careful, and a little right on careful here. I have not had a vet look or sample, but there really isn't anything to sample. Also, Solana is very cooperative, and I don't believe I am hurting her in anyway.

I cannot comment on other scaleless snakes, but apparently this is a known, but rarer issue with rat snakes who are scaleless.