swellon mandible

Question

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Followup To

Question -
i have a thai reticulated python which recently showed swelling of the left side of the lawer jaw.  when it was examined by the veterinarian, it was found out that the teeth in the area were eroded and detached from the madibular attachement.  the area was then excised and sutured to prevent further swelling. however, less than 2 months the same area had a swelling again. it was again excised and it was found out that the whole gum area was already eroded.

Answer -
Hi Gene,

I'm sorry to here about the condition of your retic.the only good news i think in this is that Analyses of bone movements during swallowing suggest that swallowing is effected primarily by the palatopterygoid bars. The mandibles and their connecting soft tissues mainly press the prey against the palatopterygoid teeth. The mandibular teeth play little active role in swallowing, so he/she should be ok when eating. has the vet determined the cause of the erosion? and what test(calcium levels, testing for virul,bacterial,fungal infections) if any where ran? and is your retic on systemic antibiotics and if so what? sorry for so many ?'s but it will help me better answere you. for now i feel your retics peognoses will be ok as long as there is an apatite and the mouth is being takin care of properly.

please get back to me and sorry for the delay in getting back to you .

         tommy
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thanks for the quick reply, my vet did not bother check the blood calcium rather he removed the lesion and sutured the remaining parts.  accordingly it is a mouthrot.  the snake is placed on gentamycin sulfate injection every other day and daily application of chlorhexetidine on the wound surface.  

Answer
Hi Gene,

very good, the treatments are what they should be.thanks for the question and i wish your retic a speedy recovery .they are one of my favorite pythons, i donated mine to the l.a zoo 3 years ago when he got 19 feet raised him from hatchling , was hard to give up but was abeeter inviroment for him.

     thanks again
         tommy