Snake Stomatitis

“When a snake's mouth becomes red, inflamed, or develops a cottage-cheese-like exudate, it is almost always a sign of stomatitis, a serious, progressive bacterial infection of the oral tissues. This condition, commonly known as mouth rot, is rarely a primary illness; it usually signals severe underlying issues related to poor husbandry or a suppressed immune system. Untreated infection can quickly lead to systemic illness, bone infection & inability to eat, requiring immediate veterinary intervention,

Stomatitis is a serious bacterial infection and inflammation of the mouth and gum tissues.
Symptoms range from slight redness to the accumulation of thick, pus-like discharge in the mouth.
If left untreated, the infection can erode the jaw bone (osteomyelitis) and spread to the lungs (pneumonia).

Why Does My Snake Develop Stomatitis?

Infectious stomatitis occurs when the snake's oral cavity is constantly exposed to a high load of opportunistic bacteria (often Pseudomonas or Aeromonas) while the immune system is too weak to fight them off.

The primary causes are: inadequate habitat temperature (the snake is kept too cool, preventing proper immune function); high stress; improper nutrition (Vitamin C deficiency) and oral trauma (e.g., repeated striking at the enclosure glass or injuring the mouth while consuming food). Trauma creates a break in the tissue, allowing environmental pathogens to invade and establish the infection.

Types of Snake Stomatitis

The condition is often classified by its severity and its spread:

Simple (Early Stage) Stomatitis

Target: Gums and lips (labial scales).

Impact: Mild inflammation, slight redness along the gum line and increased salivation. The snake may show reluctance to open its mouth. This stage is highly treatable with topical care and antibiotic use.

Advanced (Severe) Stomatitis

Target: Deep tissues of the mouth, throat, and teeth sockets.

Impact: Severe swelling, large amounts of thick, often yellow or white, caseous (cheese-like) exudate or pus pockets lining the mouth. The infection is often progressing to the bone (osteomyelitis) or spreading to the rest of the body.

Systemic Stomatitis

Target: Multiple body systems (via bloodstream).

Impact: Occurs when the infection spreads from the mouth to the blood, causing septicemia. It often leads to pneumonia (if the pus drains into the lungs) or severe organ failure. This is life-threatening and requires immediate, intensive veterinary care.

Symptoms of Snake Stomatitis

Because a snake often tries to hide its mouth, these signs may be subtle and require careful observation:

Excessive Mucus/Saliva

Noticeable drooling, stringy mucus around the mouth, or frequent bubbling from the mouth or nostrils.

Thick Discharge

Yellow, white, or off-white "cottage cheese" or pus-like material visible inside the mouth, along the gum line, or around the teeth.

Open-Mouth Posture

The snake holds its mouth slightly ajar or keeps its head tilted upward in an attempt to relieve pressure or aid breathing.

Redness and Swelling

The gum line, lips, and areas around the nostrils appear abnormally pink, red, or severely swollen.

Reluctance to Feed

The snake consistently refuses food due to the pain and inflammation in its oral cavity.

Pitting/Erosion of Jaw

In advanced stages, the infection can erode the jaw bone, leading to visible pitting or deformity of the mandible.

Prevention & Snake Care

Hygiene and Water

Maintain a scrupulously clean environment, disinfecting all surfaces and providing fresh, clean water daily.

Reduce Stress/Trauma

Cover the front of the enclosure if the snake is rubbing its nose on the glass and eliminate any rough or sharp items in the habitat.

Complete Antibiotic Course

Administer the full prescribed course of antibiotics, often lasting weeks, to ensure the pathogen is completely eliminated and prevent relapse.

Oral Checks

Gently check the mouth every few days (only as directed by the vet) for any return of redness or discharge.

Weight Monitoring

Track weight to confirm the snake begins to eat consistently and gain back condition once the mouth is pain-free.

Snake Stomatitis FAQ

The bacteria causing it are common, so they don't "catch" it; rather, their immune system fails. However, isolate the snake immediately, as the environment is heavily contaminated.

No. Attempting to scrape the mouth risks injuring the delicate tissues, pushing the infection deeper and causing pain and stress. This must be done by a vet.

Since the infection is often deep-seated and the reptile's metabolism is slow, injections ensure the correct concentration of medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream for a longer period.

It is unlikely. Pain and swelling make eating impossible. Force-feeding must be done only under veterinary guidance and only after the infection is well under control.

Yes. Oral infection spreading to the lungs often results in fatal pneumonia. Also, severe cases can mask underlying viral conditions (like Iridovirus).