Mouth Rot or Something else?

[GarterGreen]

I handle my garter Gojira about once a week and I noticed something bad today. The left side of his jaw seems slightly open. I watch snake people a lot on youtube (like ViperKeeper!) and it reminds me of mouth rot. I think I'm going to do a full substrate change--but it has only been about a month since my last one. I also disinfected his bowl and refilled it. Does anyone have experience with this with garter snake/know what I can do? I don't see any swelling or or red spots or pus. He just ate yesterday (some fish). :)

Thank you for reading this!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8RfIplQfHHMc01SME5KT2tWczQ

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8RfIplQfHHMVlpoZDd3RWJGelE

[GarterGreen]

If it is an infection I think I found the culprit. He's been hiding under his water dish and I never really worried about it. But when I went to put him in a temp enclosure while I cleaned I felt how damp it was under there. Ugh. I threw out all the old substrate and put down newspaper for now. I cleaned the enclosure and used rubbing alcohol to disinfect it. I put the water dish directly on the newspaper so he can't get under it. I made two new hides from the halves of a cardboard jewlery box on the warm and cool sides of the cage. This is of course my fault, I should have checked for dampness. Also I didn't exactly clean out his food dish enough from last feeding to this one. I hope I don't lose my friend!

[guidofatherof5]

This swelling is on the lower lip? There may be a slight inflammation there. Sometimes garter get minor infections there. What kind of substrate are you using? A very safe and easy to use product is Hibicles https://www.amazon.com/Hibiclens-Skin-Cleanser-32-oz/dp/B00TYUFONK/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1478475601&sr=8-6&keywords=hibiclens&th=1
It can be diluted and applied with a q-tip.

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/hib.JPG

[GarterGreen]

Thank you! I have ordered the stuff. I hope this posts, I'm having trouble: it keeps telling me I have forbidden words. What in the world?

I will keep you updated: unfortunately I couldn't find it locally. I ordered a smaller bottle and it will be here in a week.

[guidofatherof5]

Where are you located? Every Walmart, Walgreen, CVS, grocery pharmacies, etc would stock it.

[GarterGreen]

I've never seen it before to be honest. I checked everywhere I could think, except walgreens... and it is there. Of course I can't cancel the other order, since I did it through a 3rd party at walmart. Hmph. Well, I think I'll be going out tomorrow anyway: snake is worth it.

[GarterGreen]

Looks like it is letting me post now.

I used forest floor and I regret it. It holds too much moisture. People have told me to try yesterday's news but I dislike the look of kitty litter! I might go back to very fine shaved aspen but I'm not sure. For now, newspaper! What do you use?

[GarterGreen]

One more question: when you used this stuff, how much did you dilute it?

I've also put up the heat in the room he's in to 80.

[guidofatherof5]

50% diluted. 1 part Hibiclens to 1 part water. Apply twice a day with a Q-tip. First check the infection for a possible foreign object.

[GarterGreen]

I wanted to make a reply on this thread to let anyone interested know what happened.

I used Hibiclens and a small paintbrush to treat the wound, but after the second treatment, the thing simply fell off. I now believe it was a bit of scale from one of his fishy dinners.

My snake has since accepted frozen-thawed mice and is doing well! I have changed his substrate to just paper and having come into some money I am looking for a good vet for him. I've realized I love this snake too much not to have a regular vet to go to!

The Hibiclens is an excellent cleanser to have around the house regardless. I have used it to wash his enclosure, wash my hands after cleaning cages, and to treat a wound my dog got. The vet asked me what cleanser I used to clean the wound when I took the dog to the vet and she seemed satisfied. It is good stuff!

Thank you for your help :)

[guidofatherof5]

Glad to hear this good update.