So Glitch has a kidney tumor.

[Skits]

Well we brought Glitch, my carpet python to the vets. Glitch has had one problem after another it seems, you can read some of my previous threads here to know more about his history.

First rescuing them: http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/morel...w-rescues.html

Story about the mass: http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/morel...e-abscess.html

Basically, we took him to one vet today. We got a radiography exam done and found out he definitely had a mass in him and not a bacterial abscess. Got a bacterial test done and it's not blood or bacterial so he will definitely need surgery. Now I need to make an appointment with a specialist and find out exactly what it is. It's believed to either be in or near his right kidney. Anyone know what could be done next, or any advice?

[Derek Roddy]

That blows.
That's what I expected the results would be though.

I'm very familiar with them in BHPs and have dealt with them a few times. Unfortunately, I've haven't had any luck having a snake "turn around" after such trauma to the internal organs.

Not saying it's not possible but, you might want to think about having it put down before occurring a nice sized vet bill... for a snake that has the likely hood of a 2% survival rate....don't know, hard one to call and only you can determine that.

good luck
D

[Mikoh4792]

How old is the snake?

[jpsteele80]

that sucks, sorry to hear the bad news

[Skits]

Thank you, I'm still going to try and save him. He's changed so much since I got him and I understand snakes don't feel what we feel, but I feel like he's appreciative of what we're doing for him. He's been through a lot, and he went from being a hissy carpet python to tolerant enough for me to handle and work with. He did awesome at the vets as well which I'm happy that he was.

Derek, did your BHP's act any different with the tumors? Did you ever try to get the surgery done? I'm curious how it would be afterwards. There's a good chance Glitch's tumor isn't in his kidney but beside it, but I'm sure at the size it's at, it would still do some damage..I'm hoping not.

There's no sure age but the vet did say "he's not young" and said he's at least three years old. I'm trying to raise money for him for now so I can get him the care he needs, and I'm trying to sell a few things, hopefully I can manage somehow. We're moving out very very soon (a month or less) so money's tight lately. It's really frustrating. But I'll find a way to make him better, or at least try my best for him.

I hope I don't get bashed on for not putting him to sleep. If I see that he's getting worse, I'll obviously keep an open mind but for now I want to keep trying.

Thanks everyone for the help and support I've gotten on here.

[jpsteele80]

There is no reason that anyone should bash you for doing what ever you can to save his life, I commend you for doing that my friend. Keep on fighting the good fight and don't give up until you don't have any options.

[Skits]

Thank you. I know sometimes people put their animals through things for selfish reasons but I have no way of believing Glitch is in pain, however I know reptiles don't show it.

It's been brought to my attention that it could be an inflamed organ as well, something I didn't think about, and maybe that's a reason why they extracted nothing (air, maybe?) from the mass.

[Derek Roddy]

Originally Posted by Skits

Derek, did your BHP's act any different with the tumors? Did you ever try to get the surgery done? I'm curious how it would be afterwards. There's a good chance Glitch's tumor isn't in his kidney but beside it, but I'm sure at the size it's at, it would still do some damage..I'm hoping not.

They didn't. They ate and acted fairly normal....
Only up until the point the tumor took over and, in the instances which have been surgical....they ended up dying anyway a few months later.
A couple BHPs...I didn't notice a swelling because they were so overfed by their previous owners. It wasn't til I found them dead and cut them open to find the tumors.

The one sample I had done was a cancer related tumor.

Hard call.
If it stops eating and losing weight rapidly, you'll know what you need to do.

D

[Skits]

I hope all goes well with Glitch. Also sorry for your losses. It's stressful enough to deal with once, I can't imagine a few times.

[Tsubaki]

that sucks so bad, im sorry

[Derek Roddy]

Judging from the head shape and size of that animal....I'd say he's no older then 5 or 6. Fully mature carpets get really bulky "old looking" (don't know any other way to explain it... haha) head structures. That animal still has a rather "juvenile" head shape to be much older than 6.

D

[Derek Roddy]

I looked at your other thread...if you're wondering where I saw the pictures. If I was looking at the right animal....that is.

D

[Skits]

Thanks for the info I never knew you could judge on head shape. This is Glitch, I have two other CP's, one who came to me with Glitch and another that I've had for two years now.

[Terranaut]

I was afraid of this. IMHO unless you have a vet surgeon that has performed this type of work before with success I would consider euthanasia. Like Derek said there isn't a very high success rate with this tupe of procedure. I know you want what is best for him but the stress of recovery only to pass anyway is not it. You do whatever you are compelled to do but if there were my snake I would keep my vet money and stop any suffering. Just my $.02. Either way you are being morally responsible and a good keeper. Good luck.

[Will0W783]

I'm so sorry to hear about Glitch. I commend you for trying surgery; that's what I did for my large female emerald tree boa. Once the vet got inside though, he found that her tumor had taken over her stomach and large intestine so she just didn't wake up from the surgery. I would do what you can; no one can fault you for trying to save your pet's life, but try to be prepared in case you have to make a hard decision. Best of luck, you'll be in my thoughts. Please keep us posted.