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Why is my snake's vent swollen, pink, bloody, and smells bad?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Reptile | Other Snake | Female | unspayed

My albino western hognose snake's vent is swollen on the tail end, pink, has a tiny bit of blood and it smells off.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on February 9th, 2020

Thanks for reaching out about Princess and including photos. These swellings appear to be infected scent glands. Try some warm water soaks to soften, remove substrate such as bark or dirt. Provide a soft clean towel as a substrate, to prevent further contamination. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan, as this will most likely need systemic antibiotics to treat. Check and correct husbandry as sub-standard environmental temperatures can possible play a part of this disease process. Good luck.

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