what do i do?

[bonus41]

so, awhile ago (2 years) roughly, I adopted someones old corn snake who was 3 years when I got him, he was very scared and nippy, he bit alot mostly a strike and release type bite, I though he would chill out but 2 years later and hes the same way. I dont mind a nippy snake I really like Milo, but a couple days ago I went to clean his cage and he bit me sevrel times doing so (which is normal for him) but after my hand went all red, bumpy and itchy for about a week without getting better, now evrey bite since, its been painful, red, itchy, and bumpy. what could this mean? Am i allergic to Milo? I can pick him up fine, it only happens if he bites me. My parents is now thinking we should put him down, but he's healty, just a normal picky eater like he is. She said I could replace Milo with another after. Milo is only about 2 1/2 feet long, i dont think his bite should do this much damage to my hand. I also have a brooks king snake who is bigger then Milo, i bought him from a breeder in Winnipeg and he never bit me once. I'm just woundering what I should do and if theres any suggestions.

Thanks for the help
Caitlyn

 

[chantelpowell5698]

so, awhile ago (2 years) roughly, I adopted someones old corn snake who was 3 years when I got him, he was very scared and nippy, he bit alot mostly a strike and release type bite, I though he would chill out but 2 years later and hes the same way. I dont mind a nippy snake I really like Milo, but a couple days ago I went to clean his cage and he bit me sevrel times doing so (which is normal for him) but after my hand went all red, bumpy and itchy for about a week without getting better, now evrey bite since, its been painful, red, itchy, and bumpy. what could this mean? Am i allergic to Milo? I can pick him up fine, it only happens if he bites me. My parents is now thinking we should put him down, but he's healty, just a normal picky eater like he is. She said I could replace Milo with another after. Milo is only about 2 1/2 feet long, i dont think his bite should do this much damage to my hand. I also have a brooks king snake who is bigger then Milo, i bought him from a breeder in Winnipeg and he never bit me once. I'm just woundering what I should do and if theres any suggestions.

Thanks for the help
Caitlyn

Okay I read this and wasn't even aware this was possible. BUT...you can be allergic to a snakes and/or it's saliva. AND...it is possible that it doesn't manifest at first, and seems to "spring up" out of nowhere. So in lieu of this, I would say that you could wear gloves when feeding or handling? Also I read that some people think it's an allergic reaction and instead it's an infection from teeth or parts of the teeth breaking off in their skin. That's all the help I can give, I don't have any experience with this happening, but those were the tips given about it when I looked it up.

 

[Alicia P]

Since you say it is bumpy I would be inclined to think that you are getting some tooth parts stuck when you are being bitten. Maybe because you are expecting the bite and start to pull back? The best thing for you to do for now is get a pair or leather gardening gloves to wear when you are putting your hands in the tank, don't pull back when he strikes and if he does strike take him out for a few minutes of handling time. Don't let him think he is getting away with it.

It could just be that he has learned that being nippy gets him left alone. It could be setup/feeding related, could you tell us what you are heating his cage with? You said he is a picky eater, what and how often is he being fed? Sometimes you will find a corn that is just a crabby butt, however I would not suggest putting him down as the first option. If you can't get his personality sorted out, you can post him for sale and tell all about his bad habits or talk to a pet shop about taking him in. Putting him down should be a last resort if you cannot place him in another home.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I could imagine that someone could be allergic to snake saliva. Like bee stings, the first time you're stung/bitten you may have no reaction and the more you're exposed the worse the immune response gets. If he consistently bites I would start transferring him out of the cage when you're cleaning it by using a snake hook to transfer him to a pillow case or cat carrier or scooping him up in a plastic container (although that might be hard. Then you can keep allergic body parts out of his reach. If you're parents are not okay with that idea I would try to rehome him like Alicia said before putting him down.

 

[bonus41]

thanks for the help, I dont mind getting bit its just the reaction afterwards..