Solana - Our Scaleless Sunglow Motley Corn

[Bogertophis]

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?

[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.

[dakski]

Solana is looking super. She lost a little weight the past few months with the basement work and not eating regularly, but she's still a healthy 340G dry and looks great. She's back to her 1 adult mouse every two weeks again.

[Bogertophis]

She looks good- I wouldn't call her skinny.

[Albert Clark]

Beautiful scaleless corn snake! Congrats. Vincent Russo author of “ The more complete Boa Constrictor” and president of the Long Island Herpetological Society in New York started a project back in 2017 with the scaleless corns. He partnered with another of the long time members of our group. They have been pretty successful with their expanding projects since then with the scaleless corns.

[dakski]

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.

[dakski]

Solana does not appreciate being restrained and having her mouth/lips cleaned and having the antibacterial cream applied. Having said that, she's a great sport and is handling it better than I expected. It's also something I can do myself as she's a corn snake and not too difficult to control/handle while applying the treatment(s).

I have decided to apply 1X a day instead of twice a day (which the vet said was fine) as I need to balance keeping it clean and helping it heal without stressing her too much (which would be counterproductive).

I'll keep everyone posted.

[dakski]

The "affected/infected" area on Solana's mouth is starting to scab over. I am hoping/thinking that means it's healing and we are stopping any progression of infection at this point.

[dakski]

What a difference a week or two of meds makes. She still has a noticeable gab in her mouth on the right side, but the tissue itself/the area that was clearly impacted, is no longer inflamed, is no longer scabbed over, and is looking much healthier!

I'll post pics soon, but I am skipping cleaning today and plan to offer food. If she eats, which I assume she will, I'll wait a day or two to offer meds again and then get right back on track.

[dakski]

Solana's mouth is healing nicely. However, I noticed a little "buildup" around the corners of her mouth from having her mouth ajar a little.

So, the past week I've been cleaning and applying the antibacterial solution to her entire mouth. That made a big difference. Additionally, I held off her last feeding so I could keep cleaning etc. Today I didn't bother her and she gobbled down a nice adult mouse.

She seems pretty well healed at this point, which surprises me, because I thought it would take longer. However, I plan to apply the cleaning solution and antibacterial solution for a bit longer, at least until another shed so I can get a really good gauge of where she is it.

After everything is completely healed up, and she's shed, I think I will keep cleaning her mouth at least 1-2X a week to keep it clean and healthy. I will check with the vet to see if I can/should apply the antibacterial solution as well, or less often, etc.