Pit viper cyst

[SCReptiles]

This snake belongs to a friend of mine. Has anyone seen this condition before? Something like a cyst has developed on the pit. Any suggestions for treatment?

http://secw.bravepages.com/Chuck/pics/edb_cyst1.jpg

http://secw.bravepages.com/Chuck/pics/edb_cyst2.jpg

[dave68]

I've seen similar looking things in boid nostrils from retained sheds could that be it? It's really hard to tell though the pics are not to clear.

Dave

[snakehunter]

Could it be a bloated tick? That would seem like a nice hiding spot for a 'site.

[BWSmith]

I was rehabbing someone's Canebrake with virtually the same symptom. I will try to upload the images tonight. It turned out not being what we thought. What you are actually looking at is the inner membrane of the heat pit protruding. An infection behind it may be forcing it out. Not really a great place for an infection.

All I can tell you did what did not work. We were unable to correct the problem. We did not realize at first that it was the membrane, we thought it was a scab. So we lanced it and excavated as much puss as possible. Next .1 cc of Baytril was squirted into the heat pit. That is when we figured out what we were looking at. Baytril was used on schedule in the same manner, but was ineffective. After trying for several months, I gave the snake back to the owner and told him that there was nothing More I could do. The snake ate fine and had no other problems. Two other canebrakes from the same clutch had a similar problem that seemed to come and go. I believe that both of them are still alive. So perhaps it is something genetic.

Let me know if you would like myself or my vet contact your vet for more details on what action we took.