View Full Version : What is wrong?
Jasper2687
05-06-13, 07:06 PM
I just noticed that my snake has a bump on the side of her neck. I just noticed after she ate live tonight. I am attaching pictures. Any information on what it might be would be greatly appreciated.
Jasper2687
05-06-13, 07:06 PM
I realize that the pictures are not that great but it is the best my camera can do.
Starbuck
05-06-13, 07:26 PM
there is lots of things it could be...
if it feels relatively hard and firm, it could be an abscess, or a tumor (not likely)...
If it feels very soft and squishy (fluid), it could be just some localized edema (swelling) similar to a bruise...
If your snake broke a few ribs wrestling with the prey, it could be swelling due to that (broken ribs are VERY common in wild snakes, it happens, but it is one of the reasons some keepers feed F_T).
Since it is not symmetrical, im leaning towards some sort of injury/trauma (as oppossed to a disease condition). I would keep an eye on it and see how its changed. Try to get a picture of your snake next to a ruler or something similar, so you can compare the swelling in a week or so and see if it has changed.
If your snake is underweight (i can't tell from those pics) it could be an enlarged heart (again, unlikely since it is not symmetrical), which is a normal response to feeding... though it seems very close to the head for this to be the case. The heart is located in the lower first third of the body in snakes, and along with other organs, enlarges significantly following a large meal.
My bet is on a mild injury, but keep an eye on it.
charlesc84
05-06-13, 07:54 PM
My guess is that the rats foot scratched the snake on the way down and it caused swelling.
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