Possible stomatitis?

[scirocco]

Hello everyone!

I have a very sweet, gentle and skittish Haitian Boa (epicrates striatus) which i've had for 21 years. I assume that she was a wild-caught young adult when i, ignorant of these things, bought her in a pet shop in 1987. She didn't eat for nearly a year, but finally started to accept live mice.

Her name is Monty, for irrelevant reasons related to an ex-girlfriend. She doesn't get nearly as much attention or care as she deserves, and i know that....... two decades and now having a toddler around...

All of that said, i'm worried that she may have stomatits, or possibly an upper resiratory tract infection. In the past, when temp regulation was poor, she'd get wheezy for a bit, but it has always cleared up. She's not wheezy now, but she's definitely off. She hasn't eaten since August, and while a finicky eater, this is unusual. Just last night she refused again.

She has one nostril which is clearly infected, or something. It is larger, and appears to have a plaque or something. A clear liquid builds up on it, and last night handling her, a small spot of blood appeared. Other than this, and refusal of food, she acts quite normal.

I took a few pictures, posted below, which may help.... but i didn't want to traumatize her (skittish) just to snap some pics. There are images of both sides of her head, for comparison.

THANK YOU in advance, for any help!

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[KaaTom]

I really dont know what else to say except if it were my snake Id be getting it to a vet ASAP.......It doesnt sound nor look normal to me.

 

[wokka]

I would get your vet to take some swabs from the nasal passages to try and culture some bacteria and then do sensitivity tests to find a suitable antibiotic.

 

[Dipcdame]

Definitely looks like a job for a vet!!!!!

 

[scirocco]

Well!

That sounds like a consensus!

Luckily, i have discovered this practice quite nearby.... and it's reputed to be the best herp-vet on the east coast of the US! Nice!

http://www.seavs.com/staff/

Thanks folks, though i'd still accept any more collective wisdom....

~a

 

[scirocco]

We were at the vet today, and he was fantastic. If you happen to be on the east coast of the US, anywhere near the Washington DC area, this practice is a must-check-out.

Anyhow, it turns out...

-- no stomatitis
-- no respiratory infection
-- other vitals normal (pulse around 50bpm, doc showed me how to find it)
-- irritation of one nasal passage, with nosebleed and dryness

Rx: silvadyne topical to prevent infection and speed healing, and increase humidity.

(Which, i admit, is lacking)

The vet spent a LOT of time with me, and positively sexed the snake, vitals, anatomy etc etc. He was clearly instructing me on everything going on, which i found fantastic. All this for USD104, including the prescription cream.

SO! I hope this thread is of use to someone in the future!

;-)