MOUTH ROT  

Infectious stomatitis, or mouth rot, is the inflammation or infection of the mouth. A common disorder of pet lizards, snakes and turtles, these infections can be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Poor husbandry, incorrect cage temperatures, poor nutrition, live prey and forced feeding are common stresses leading to mouth rot.

Signs of mouth rot:

• Poor appetite
• Swollen and cracked gums
• Excessive salivation
• Red oral tissues
• Thick pus and/or dead tissue in the mouth
• Discharge from the mouth and nose
• Resting with the mouth slightly open

Treatment

• If left untreated, infection may spread into the digestive tract or lungs, causing pneumonia.
• Mild cases may respond by correcting its habitat along with topical antibiotics.
• Moderate to severe infections should be evaluated by a herp veterinarian for lab cultures and treatment which may include fluid therapy and surgery.