Health Advice

[Jnholan]

*Disclaimer* I am not using this thread as a substitute for vet care, he has an appointment tomorrow. This is for gathering opinions and ideas from other people so I can prepare myself for the possible diagnosis

I have a columbian boa named Luka who I have posted before. He was a rescue, but until recently has been healthy. He has not eaten for 2 months, but I thought it could possibly be breeding behaviour, seeing as he is mature and had not lost any weight. Well I weighed him yesterday, and it said he gained over 200 grams which I thought was very odd. Through further evaluation I discovered he has a pretty large lump about 1/3 of the way down his body that is hard, lumpy, and his belly scales are raised in front of that area. I attached sone pictures, but he was putting up a bit of a fight so they are not the best. All his temps and humidity are normal. Hes never been very active to begin with, but he is slightly lethargic. Any ideas of what it could be?

[ErikBush97]

Wow... That doesn't look good. I can't help you there but I wish you luck

[Starbuck]

the heart in snakes is typically located around the cranial 1/3 mark, and can be palpated (sometimes normally, easier if there is an issue). Glad to hear you are bringing him in to a vet. Without knowing too much about the past history of the snake it can be hard to guess, but i hope your vet is able to do some bloodwork, and i would consider radiographs as well if you can afford them.

[Starbuck]

*i will add that it seems odd to me, if it WERE a heart issue, i would not expect such a distinct raised 'ring' around the snake, i would expect it to appear more diffuse of a swelling, as well as potentially some trouble breathing?

do you know if the snake was WC? or an approx age?

[MizCandice]

Did he deficate normally after his last feed, sometimes an onstruction can calcify if its there long enough,( just grasping at straws really on the what if side of things)? Is he drinking normally at least? Poor baby I hope it is something correctable!

[formica]

speculation probly not useful really, there are so many things that cause lumps and bumps, see what the vet says, i'm sure an x-ray will be offered and/or biopsy, if nothing else is obvious. let us know how he gets on

[Snakesitter]

Tough to speculate...there could be many causes. Others have already mentioned the key tests to request. Good luck to Luka, and please let us know if goes!!!

[Jnholan]

Thanks for all the input guys! Just trying to get ideas together from knowledgeable people.

His approx age is 3-4, and was said to be cb,but being a rescue know way to know for sure. He does have a little issues breathing,which i recently noticed. His defecation after his last meal was completely normal,and he recently urinated which was also normal. He also hates water normally,but has been soaking a lot lately. No mites or any other external parasites I have seen. He seems to be drinking ok. He has lately made some popping noises when picked up,although i have heard that happens when they've been coiled for a while or completely stretched. I'm almost positive its not fat pockets,as he is on the skinny side still and never was overweight,just severely underweight. Ive been soaking him and that perks him up a bit,but not much :/

I'm trying to stay calm,but I am pretty worried. He also isn't gripping much with his tail, but then again he never did much. He can right him self fast when put on his back and shows no neurological issues. I'll let everyone know how it goes tomorrow

[Jnholan]

I just thought of something else as well. Is it possible he is refusing to eat because he is obstructed by whatever this is? There were a couple times I could have sworn he was going to take it, but ended up refusing.

[Snakesitter]

It could be....an obstruction is a far more logical reason than anything neurological. As others have said, get him to vet and run those tests.

[Jnholan]

We leave in 20 minutes to head to the vet,wish us luck!

[Zoo Nanny]

Good luck, hope it's something minor.

[formica]

good luck :)

[Hotchkiss]

Any updates?

[Jnholan]

I posted a new thread to keep it a little more organized, he did end up having to be put down.