I think something is wrong with my garter :( PLEASE HELP.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Let's just hope it hasnt gone that far.Chlorhexidine works the best. The only reason i suggested peroxide diluted w/ water is because he probably already has some at home and needs to get started cleaning asap.

[ConcinusMan]

Sure, I get it. Better than nothing until you can get the good stuff.

[Mommy2many]

Hope it all works out well for both of you.

[SilentWrath*]

First of all I'd like to thank everyone for the advice and well wishes.

Thinking about how quickly the swelling had progressed in just a few days I didn't want to wait a week to see anything out that I might do to help Silent Bob. I decided I had to spend the money and take him to a vet. I didn't just want to take him anywhere, but after talking with one of the herpers at the university I was convinced to go to a Dr. on the other side of town.

The vet was great, very comfortable and skilled with snake handling. I was very impressed. He carefully opened Silent Bob's mouth and cleaned the areas, then inspected closely with a lighted magnifying glass. He noted one are of possible concern, on the upper palate right behind the eyes there is a slight cream colored discoloration he speculated could be a 'hard pus' filled cyst of some sort, and mentioned surgery (yikes). He also noted the eyes appeared to be bulging out a little. I asked about the possibility of blindness and he said it was possible. He prognosis is infection so he carefully administered an injection of Amikacin.

He suggested coming back Friday for another injection and just see how that goes. He said to keep Silent Bob in a separate quarantine enclosure and not to feed him, and eep it a little warmer 85-87 hot side. Also for me to inspect Jay his brothers mouth to check for a discoloration if it runs in the family.

After getting back home and getting his temp set up, I left him alone for an hour or so and came back. His swelling has decreased 50% already. I am hoping I caught it in the nick of time, and he can make a recovery without surgery.

Thanks again for the help

[ConcinusMan]

That's great. I'm glad you went to the vet because in a case like this, the treatments we suggested wouldn't have helped. Only antibiotics to treat it from the inside will work. Keep him warm day night to help is immune system and an all-around reptile supplement probably won't hurt.

Let's hope this isn't caused by an immune deficiency and that he'll get better without recurrence. Sometimes they just need a little help like this from time to time to help them get over an infection. Keep his cage and water super clean.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

That's great news i hope everything goes well.

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like you found a good reputable Vet.
Glad thing are looking up.
Keep us posted.

[mustang]

glad you found a vet!

[SilentWrath*]

Thanks guys, me too.

UPDATE: I removed Silent Bob from his quarantine tank today to clean it and put in new paper towels and water. He had some blood on him oozing from his mouth and dried on his body, so I figured it would be a good idea to give him a bath. I put him in large pot with just enough warm water to cover his body. I added a few drops of betadine, and placed him in. I got him to swim around for a while, then took him out and dried him off with a towel. Afterward, I decided to take a few pics, although he wasn't very cooperative and wanted to slither around! These pics do not do his red any justice. I thought the blue background of my jeans would bring it out, but the camera doesn't capture it right. None the less, they came out well.









Since Silent Bob has been out of the big tank with Jay, Jay has gone recluse on me. I thought he had escaped at first and opened the tank and started moving objects when he slithered out from his burrow underneath the bedding. He hasn't done this since he was just a few weeks old. I wonder if he fears he will be "gone" from the tank next?!?

Anyways, the vet recommended I examine Jay's mouth as well. That didn't go so well. Jay doesn't like to be held down. He tried to bite me like four times. He's never done that before. I put him back in his tank and he burrowed down again. I don't think he likes me very much right now.

I'll keep you guys posted, I go back to the vet on Friday.

[drache]

congrats on finding a good herp vet
and to Silent Bob as well - speedy recovery, handsome