Solana's mouth irritation looked worse the past month and is not healing on its own. I have pics below.
I took her to the vet today and he said he does not think its mouth rot, at least not yet. He does think it's an irritation, probably a scratch or cut from a F/T mouse or she got while actively shedding, that is on its way to getting infected. He thinks she looks great otherwise, but prescribed Chlorhexidine Oral Solution to be applied 1-2X a day and Silvadene Cream to be applied after cleaning the irritated area.
He says he has seen issues like this with other scaleless snakes (he has a scaleless texas rat) and Don Soderberg has as well. I want to share a) because I know people on here like Solana and want to see how she's doing, but also b) because those interested in scaleless snakes should know some of the potential issues up front.
The vet said that I am spot on with temps and cleanliness etc. He did encourage me to up humidity a little for her as that can be helpful for scaleless snakes especially in shed. I am usually good about upping humidity when she is going to shed, but the last time or two probably caught it a little late with the basement being worked on etc. I am upping the size of her water bowl and will be more diligent with keeping humidity up near shed.
The vet thought she was gorgeous and recommended against bloodwork etc. unless she goes downhill, which he doesn't suspect. He also said I can take a day or two off from mouth cleaning after she eats (she eats an adult mouse every two weeks) so she can digest. He figures her mouth will heal up in 1-2 shed cycles.
![]()