Mouth rot of snakes

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The mouth rot of snakes is a bacterial inflammation of the mouth mucous membrane ( stomatitis ), which occurs particularly as a result of poor keeping conditions in snakes . The snake disease mainly occurs in captive animals in poor physical condition and under poor hygienic conditions.

Disease emergence

The causes are inadequate hygienic conditions and minor injuries to the oral mucosa from food animals or sharp material (sawdust, sand). The majority of mouth rot diseases are caused by pseudomonads . In individual cases, other bacteria such as Mycobacterium cheloni are also involved. The pathogens can overcome the mechanical barrier through small injuries to the mucous membrane and cause inflammation, which can lead to extensive necrotic changes.

Clinical picture

Affected animals show reluctance to eat and are beaten off . The mucous membrane is reddened ( hyperemia ). In the oral cavity, flakes of yellowish-whitish exudate can accumulate, especially in the mucous membrane and along the rows of teeth. In more severe cases, the flakes can accumulate to form thick coatings. The mouth can then often no longer be closed completely. With profound erosion can to thrombosis of blood vessels come.

As a complication of infected coverings can one by Abschlucken gastrointestinal inflammation or by aspiration a tracheitis or pneumonia develop.

therapy

The treatment is carried out by carefully cleaning the erosions and rinse with 3% hydrogen peroxide - or 0.1% chlorhexidine solution. The oral cavity is then rinsed with acidified water (6 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid per liter of water or 100 mg of citric acid and 50 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 ml of water). Finally, the oral mucosa is treated with an antibiotic in powder form or as a solution. In addition, the housing conditions must be corrected. A dose of vitamin C may be indicated as a support.

Water acidified with hydrochloric acid can be used prophylactically in terrariums to contain the pseudomonads. If the terrarium contains concrete parts or the snakes have skin injuries, this is not feasible.

literature

  • Peernel Zwart, Lutz Sassenburg: Snakes. In: Karl Gabrisch, Peernel Zwart: Diseases of pets. 6th, completely revised edition. Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hanover 2005, ISBN 3-89993-010-X , pp. 739–793.