Help! Lump/swollen tail?

[Zanzobean]

Hi forums! Just recently I noticed a lump on my boa constrictors tail. At first I thought it was impaction, but its behind the vent so I ruled that out. I'm going to attach some photos, and any input on what this might be would be much appreciated! Thanks!

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[REM955]

It is a reason for a vet visit.

[dannybgoode]

Definitely a vet for that one. Could be just a cyst could be more sinister but it needs sorting out.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Definitely a vet. Could be a cyst/abscess, but infected glands are also fairly common in boas.

[Zanzobean]

All right thank you all!What are the usually treatments for cysts/abscesses and infected glands?

[bigsnakegirl785]

All right thank you all!What are the usually treatments for cysts/abscesses and infected glands?

Surgery and antibiotics. Because of the thickness of the fluid, the abscesses generally cannot go away on their own.

[Albert Clark]

Wow! Absolutely the exotic vet. Could be infected/ inflamed scent glands, hemipenes if it's a male is also possible. Be sure to switch to paper towel substrate as a precaution. Hope it's not too serious.

[Zanzobean]

Thank you all! The soonest I can get to the vet is Tuesday so I hope it is nothing in need of care ASAP. When I come back I think I will update the forum so people who may encounter this same issue can know what theyre dealing with.

[Zanzobean]

Alright, so I just finished up with the vet and she doesn't think anything is wrong with her. She said it doesn't feel like a cyst or infected glands. I will keep a sharp eye on her though observe anything out of the usual. Again, thank you all for the help :)

[Scubadiver59]

:confused:

Alright, so I just finished up with the vet and she doesn't think anything is wrong with her. She said it doesn't feel like a cyst or infected glands. I will keep a sharp eye on her though observe anything out of the usual. Again, thank you all for the help :)

[REM955]

Alright, so I just finished up with the vet and she doesn't think anything is wrong with her. She said it doesn't feel like a cyst or infected glands. I will keep a sharp eye on her though observe anything out of the usual. Again, thank you all for the help :)

Well that's nice.

Find another vet.

[Andy_G]

Alright, so I just finished up with the vet and she doesn't think anything is wrong with her. She said it doesn't feel like a cyst or infected glands. I will keep a sharp eye on her though observe anything out of the usual. Again, thank you all for the help :)

...so what is it, then?

[Zanzobean]

...so what is it, then?

She said it might be a just a fat accumulation. I don't even know if that's possible. I think I may just take her to another vet and hope they're more knowledgeable.

[Scubadiver59]

Make sure it's an "exotic" pet vet that specializes in reptiles.

She said it might be a just a fat accumulation. I don't even know if that's possible. I think I may just take her to another vet and hope they're more knowledgeable.

[Zanzobean]

Yeah this time I'm going to request their "exotic vet".Its kind of a downer that I spent nearly $100 on a vet visit that only took around 15 minutes and resulted in an "ehh i wouldn't worry about it it doesn't look bad". Suppose I've learned my lesson though.

[Albert Clark]

Absolutely a exotic vet is the one that you need. Swellings don't occur for no reason. They are either traumatic or pathologic. The history of present illness will be very important as will any past medical or traumatic history. Good luck and I hope it's not serious.

[bigsnakegirl785]

If a boa was fat enough that fat was storing in the tail to that degree, just the obesity itself would be a serious problem. Obesity kills snakes, it can easily cause liver failure.

This is likely an infection of some sort, definitely get to an exotic vet that specializes in snakes. The more general of an exotic vet they are, the less likely they are to be helpful as well. Get one that works mostly/only with snakes, and one that has experience with boas if at all possible. The more specialized the vet, the more knowledge they will have in their field and the more helpful they will be.