Diary of a snake (and her girl)...

[guidofatherof5]

Julian, take it easy on Mom. Let her get some rest.

[EasternGirl]

Tell that to my Anatomy and Physiology teacher....please!

[EasternGirl]

Okay...I hope I did that right...I put a couple of drops of Hibiclens in about 6oz of water...dipped a cotton swab in it, and held Selena up and rubbed it on the side of her mouth the best that I could...she actually was rubbing her mouth against it. I rubbed it on there for a minute or so. I couldn't really get up inside her mouth. She is the silliest snake...she gets all upset when I hold her and restrain her to treat her mouth...but then I put her back in her enclosure and she pops out and starts looking around for me!

[kibakiba]

I'm sure you did fine, Marnie. She may act upset when you have to restrain her, but she'll be grateful when the problem with her mouth goes away.

[ConcinusMan]

That's good. Try to avoid excess so that she doesn't swallow too much of it but also make sure the affected area gets good and wet with it, if that makes any sense. There's no need to do more than that unless you see dirt or other foreign matter in there. If that's the case you might have to rub that out so don't be alarmed if there's a tiny amount of blood from doing that. Also you might find that the "lip" of the snake will move aside quite easily so you get it in there good. Always go front to back since that's the direction the teeth are curved. If there's nothing in there, just wet the wound with it real quick, twice a day. The antiseptic properties of it continue to work for a long time after applying it which is why works so well. This will heal that wound, in fact it's the only way it's going to heal. You should see some improvement within 3-5 days but continue for a few more days after that. I know having to do this sucks but it works!

[EasternGirl]

I can't really get in there that well because she twists and turns and tries to get away from me the whole time. I just don't want to hurt her by restraining her too forcefully. I managed to hold her head still and rub the cotton swab along the bottom of the lip today...I got under it a bit...I also looked to see if there was any more fuzz sticking out from under there...I do think that she got something stuck, but I just can't get to it. I would have to force her mouth open...and I don't want to try that. I'll keep putting the medicine on and see if I notice a change in her mouth in a couple of days. Thanks everyone, for the help with this! Oh, she laid in my hand for a little bit after I finished with the medicine...sweet little thing.

[guidofatherof5]

You may have to bite the bullet and force a look. If a foreign object is causing the problem then the medicine may not be enough.
I know how you feel about restraining them when they don't want it but they never want to be restrained and examined.
Sometimes it's necessary for their good health.
Best of luck.
Keep us posted.

[EasternGirl]

I'm just so worried I'll hurt her, Steve...how do I force her mouth open anyway?

[kibakiba]

It is hard, Marnie, but sometimes you just have to do it to make sure there isnt anything seriously wrong with her. The way I get their mouth open if I need to look is softly pinching the side of their head, don't pinch hard. Just enough to restrain them from waving their head around too much. I also wrap their bodies in a towel to keep them from thrashing and straining their spine. After that, I take my finger and very softly pull their mouth open. It can take a few tries to do it. They also might latch onto your finger a couple times... But that might be their reaction to having someone sticking a finger near their mouth
I've seen people do it with pliers or something similar to keep the mouth open without the use of fingers, but I personally wouldn't stick metal in my snakes mouths.

[guidofatherof5]

I use a cleaned playing card. Slip it in carefully to separate the jaws. Then open it up. I usually stick my clean fingers in to keep it open then and do my inspection.
They are a lot tougher than you realize and will reacted the same way whether its the first or the 10th time. They don't like it but somethings have to be done.
I've been in that situation with my Dr., once