Oral Inflammation In Reptiles

Oral inflammation in reptiles can also be known as infectious stomatitis or mouth rot. Regardless of what it is called, it can be a serious disorder and it is pretty common in reptiles.This article discusses about oral inflammation in reptiles.

When animals such as reptiles are stressed, the immune system is weak and the reptile is more susceptible to bacteria and other things. When bacteria gets in a reptile's mouth it can lead to mouth rot. Reptiles don't brush their teeth, once bacteria is in their mouth it can be there to stay.

Other things can cause a reptile's immune system to be somewhat compromised include improper temperature and humidity levels, oral injuries, and a poor diet. Diet and the proper temperature for a reptile's home can prevent so many different health problems.

Symptoms of mouth rot include reddened oral tissue, inflammation, pus in the mouth, drainage from mouth and nose, and loss of appetite. Bacterial infections in pets are serious. If not treated they can easily spread to other parts of the body. In the case of mouth rot, the bacteria sometimes spreads to the digestive tract or lungs. When bacteria gets into a reptile's lungs it causes pneumonia. 

If your reptile appears to have oral inflammation or any of the symptoms previously mentioned in this article, it is important to contact a veterinarian, because you will probably need a prescription for your pet to properly recover.

Bacterial infections of the mouth can be treated by first cleaning the reptile's mouth and them by giving them antibiotics. In severe cases, surgery is require to remove damaged oral tissue. If an animal was suffering from mouth rot and not eating, they will probably need nutritional therapy. It's hard for an animal to recover when they aren't eating and are dehydrated.

Preventing any type of bacterial infections can be done by regularly cleaning a reptile's environment, keeping it at the right temperature and making sure they have a proper diet. 

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.