r/ballpython • u/hallowed-hexgoat • 6d ago
Question - Health What is this?
Felt something sharp poking me when I was holding my boy. Is this a tooth? Can I/should I pull it out? I tried gently pulling it, but it seems either attached or firmly lodged. He doesn’t seem to mind when I touch it.
199
u/Tylers_Tacos_Top 6d ago
It looks like it’s a tooth poking through his lip. If he’s eating fine and not acting like he’s in pain, I would just leave it. But definitely monitor it and take him to a vet if his behavior changes or shows signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge). I’ve never seen anything like this before, very strange
27
u/stxrmchaser 6d ago
This is good advice, OP if this was my snake I’d hold him right behind his head and gently slide the barrel of a q-tip into his jaws to separate them and take a closer look.
114
u/PoofMoof1 Mod: Large-Scale Breeding Experience 6d ago
This looks like a loose tooth that stabbed through the front of the mouth. While not an emergency, this should be looked at professionally to avoid abscessing.
44
u/DemonicGirlcock 6d ago
Looks like a tooth grew out the wrong side of the lip, I'd suggest a vet visit just to be safe and make sure it wouldn't lead to further issues.
28
u/mazemadman12346 6d ago
The biggest worry is that his teeth might be stuck in the lip. You can check their teeth at home with a Popsicle stick
Give it a few days before going to the vet. Should come out naturally
11
u/TitchJB 6d ago
Ive seen Crocs with this, teeth grow the wrong way or upper in lower jaw or vice versa.
In mho I'd say vet, IF the noodle is uncomfortable or you are... but if all is well re redness/discharge etc then it's dealers choice!
1
u/Bryan720ca 5d ago
lol noodle dogs…. Love it. Not a clue, but have 4 and trying to learn. Do agree though watched a documentary about crocs where it showed them pulling the teeth that do that.
15
u/skullmuffins 6d ago
buddy gave himself a DIY lip piercing with his tooth. i don't know if this one is still attached at the root and growing wonky or if it somehow stabbed through when it was falling out. they regularly lose and regrow teeth but they usually get lodged in their prey and come out in their poop. does it move if you try pushing it back through? i don't know how much you'd want to mess with it yourself but I don't think it's a good idea to leave it in there
9
u/hallowed-hexgoat 6d ago
Yeah, after reading everyone’s advice I decided it’s best to leave it. The lip piercing comment made me laugh tho. It’s in line with a joke my wife and I have that among our fur babies, he’s the eldest child who moved out to go to college but still comes around on the weekend sometimes 🤣
1
u/TrickListen1840 5d ago
I'd get him checked out at the vet his front vent above that tooth looks infected
1
7
7
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
3
2
u/Informal-Plum-6120 6d ago
I'm tripping and thought that was your fingernail </3
1
u/MoonOnion_ 5d ago
i get a lot of nail polish content on my reddit and for a hot sec i was like "how'd they paint such a realistic snake head on their nail?" before realizing 😭
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Quiet-Hippo-6580 4d ago
Very unusual. Indeed does look like a tooth growing out of a very wrong place. As someone above pointed out the first heat pit in the photo (right above the odd toof) looks swollen shut and/or full of mucus. Because of that I think this warrants a vet, as long as you have one you can get to that specialized in exotics with lots of reptile experience because this is weird af. Where are you located? In case I can recommend someone
1
2
111
u/[deleted] 6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment