Rear-body swelling...?

[Will]

I took one of the males out tonight and noticed he has quite a large bulge about 2/3 of the way down his body. It's localized as well - it starts and ends within about an inch or so. It almost looks like a good sized meal. At first I thought it was impaction, but he hasn't been eating in a month.

I had him out a couple of days ago and I didn't see it then - if it was there, I'm sure I'd have noticed it. Is it possible that he's somehow injured himself in the last day or so...? Could that cause the swelling...? There's no kink that I can see. His cage has no heavy stuff in it though...

Obviously, he's off to the vet ASAP, but I don't know what this could be... He is otherwise doing great - not lethargic or unresponsive in any way. He doesn't seem to squirm when I touch it or anything. Here's a shot of it, any thoughts...?

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2033Bulge.jpg

[marisa]

I don't think this happens often but once I had a non-feeding snake get somewhat impacted. It was on eco earth type substrate and it got TONS in it somehow. But this doesn't seem to be your case....what type of substrate do you use?

Marisa

[Will]

Oops, I forgot to mention that he's on aspen. Fed on big plastic lids.

[vanderkm]

Very pronounced swelling - certainly a vet visit is warrented - blood work and radiographs would help sort it out.

It is so uniform and well defined that it looks to be swollen from something within the abdomen rather than an abscess from an external injury. Is it tight and hard or doughy when you feel it? Things that come to mind are certainly impaction or possibly an abdominal abscess (walled off infection in body cavity - might be associated with perforation of gut from within). Cystic degeneration can also occur on organs like the kidney, many other possibilities. Best of luck with him - good luck finding a good clinic and keep us posted on what the vet finds,

mary v.

[Stockwell]

Yup,I think Mary's right, and that is probably bad news....seen similar many times, and it always proved fatal. Had a Rosy boa get one of those in the fall. It stopped eating and got very thin through the neck, and died within a few weeks... On autoposy the renal system(kidney or liver) was found be be completely necrotic and granular
Ameba infection of the gutt will also cause that symptom, but generally blood will be seen in the feces, if protozoal in origin. It's also fatal if not treated with Metronidazole(flagyl) early on.

[gonesnakee]

DOH! Good Luck Will! Mark

[Will]

If it is an abcess, like you guys think it might be, what can cause that...? It's definitely internal, there are no external symptoms, other than the swelling. It's hard, like you say Mary - not soft. Pretty bleak outlook, from what I hear from you guys :( I've got an appointment first thing in the morning, I'll let you know how that turns out.

[Tim_Cranwill]

That sucks, Will. :(

Good luck with him....

[Simon Sansom]

I hope it's nothing serious, but I don't like the look of it...

Best of luck

Simon R. Sansom