Hello and a cry for help :(

VioletS16 · 05-31-11, 09:42 AM

Hiya, I've recently switched forums from ReptileforumsUK (even though I'm not in the UK) as the entire forum flames me like I can't feel emotions. I'm 13 so it hurts especially bad, my parents won't drive me anywhere and don't really make a great attempt to help when I need help, they blame ME for it and it really hurts... I'm hoping this forum will be friendlier.

I have 8 snakes and 20 corn snake eggs incubating and I need help dearly.
My female mama corn Maya developed a big lump overnight less than a week ago, a week and a half after laying her eggs. She's a small-ish snake, about 3 1/2, although she's laid many great clutches for her previous owner, Steve (Robert) Cox, who is a great breeder and a great friend to have. She's eaten, pooped and shed since the lump appeared, it doesn't hurt her to the touch, it's right on her vent, she's not aggressive, she's perfectly normal other than the lump that's about the size of a marble. I was wondering if it's possible that she injured something laying eggs, and now that bump is helping it heal up? I've looked online and it's not an abcsess or a blister...I'm afraid it's cancer but she's never been exposed to anything that would suggest that!

I sent Steve an e-mail and have a vet on mind that I would go to worse come to worse (the bump is firm). What are the options of it being??? I'm really really scared I love her sooo much she means everything to me but I've not a clue what to do or where to go.

-Natalie

infernalis · 05-31-11, 09:56 AM

Welcome Natalie ...

I won't let anyone flame you.

sSnakeSs.com - Rules

infernalis · 05-31-11, 09:59 AM

Cancer does appear in snakes, particularly older adults. There is nothing we can do about it, it just happens.

can you post a photograph of the lump?

If it makes you feel any better, I have lost 3 snakes to cancer over the years and a good friend has a snake that had laser surgery to remove cancer and it came back anyways.

Jay · 05-31-11, 10:00 AM

Some pics would help. (also include your other snakes as well)

stephanbakir · 05-31-11, 10:12 AM

Sorry to hear that

VioletS16 · 05-31-11, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Sorry to hear that

Yes I'm hoping everything is OK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay0133

Some pics would help. (also include your other snakes as well)

I will post some pics soon ALTHOUGH the bump is larger than it is now...it's been shrinking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Cancer does appear in snakes, particularly older adults. There is nothing we can do about it, it just happens.

can you post a photograph of the lump?

If it makes you feel any better, I have lost 3 snakes to cancer over the years and a good friend has a snake that had laser surgery to remove cancer and it came back anyways.

Yup I will.

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Welcome Natalie ...

I won't let anyone flame you.

sSnakeSs.com - Rules

Thank you that makes me feel better to know that. Even the mods on the forum engage in flaming, which sets an "HEY EVERYONE LET'S ALL FLAME HER!" example.
I'll read the rules now

Yea I was searching the internet before joining and came across your post about your garter snake, I started crying and spent the following half hour on the bed, dreading for Maya. Although I will say her bump looks much different.

The fact that it's getting smaller--wouldn't that rule out cancer? Cancer get's bigger. Her's came up over night and has been gradually getting smaller and smaller as the days go on. She ate last night but I'm still going to just lift her up and see if it's gotten smaller, although I couldn't see the bump as she was coiled so I take it as a good sign because I used to be able to see it right off the bat.

I'll put up some pics of her and the other 7 as well. May not be right now though as I have lots of stuff to do, but when I get some free time I'll come back on and post pics.

infernalis · 05-31-11, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VioletS16

The fact that it's getting smaller--wouldn't that rule out cancer? Cancer get's bigger. Her's came up over night and has been gradually getting smaller and smaller as the days go on. She ate last night but I'm still going to just lift her up and see if it's gotten smaller, although I couldn't see the bump as she was coiled so I take it as a good sign because I used to be able to see it right off the bat. .

Getting smaller is a good thing, If she ruptured a blood vessel laying the eggs, it will make a swelling, is the lump soft or hard?

Hard lumps are the bad ones, soft lumps are usually fluid build up.

P.S. I banned a guy last week for calling someone an idiot, no warnings, just banhammer. After some run ins with bully types, we now have a zero tolerance policy to bullying people.

SnakeManKyle · 05-31-11, 10:52 AM

heh heh....just kidding.

Get some pics up of this lump as soon as you can. Lots of knowledgeable people here who will be happy to give you some advice.

And welcome to the (friendly) forum! =D

VioletS16 · 05-31-11, 11:48 AM

Muscles - WC09 male normal corn snake

Zeus - male royal python

Eden - female mexican black king snake

Phantom - female axanthic blond trans pecos rat snake

Basil - male Sunglow boa

I will post the second half in another post. (hope you don't mind me double posting, it won't let me post all the images in one...)

EDIT: oops, I'm sorry the photos had to be resized, I thought I already did so...

VioletS16 · 05-31-11, 11:49 AM

Aztec - male okeetee corn snake (sick female's hubby)

Maya - female okeetee corn snake (AKA bumpy butt)

that was taken today

That was yesterday (it's much smaller today)

Yesterday as well. It's not nearly as prominent today.

Those are her eggs.

It's hard-ish soft-ish. You can press and move it, but it's not like you can squish it.
I'm trying not to touch too much today, as she's digesting, but I might give it another feel to see if anything has changed.

NennaMeerkat · 05-31-11, 01:42 PM

Could it be an unpassed egg anyone? I know that some lizards reabsorb eggs...do snakes do this and maybe that is what this is?? Just throwing something out there. I dunno.

But what I DO know is that you got some gorgeous snakes. And only 13 years old already trying to breed. Good luck on that.

stephanbakir · 05-31-11, 01:50 PM

Great looking animals, it doesn't look like an egg but you might want to see the vet if it doesn't shrink more.

VioletS16 · 05-31-11, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Great looking animals, it doesn't look like an egg but you might want to see the vet if it doesn't shrink more.

Thank you and yes I will keep a good eye on her!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

Could it be an unpassed egg anyone? I know that some lizards reabsorb eggs...do snakes do this and maybe that is what this is?? Just throwing something out there. I dunno.

But what I DO know is that you got some gorgeous snakes. And only 13 years old already trying to breed. Good luck on that.

I have heard of snakes becoming heavily gravid and then one day the eggs just went away, so I'd say they could, but it was about 10 days after she laid that it appeared. She's spent a lot of time in her lay box, so maybe one just popped up and she's getting ready to lay it?

Thanks

I hope I have success.

Oh and big meanie me forgot my girly Citrus, the albino tangerine honduran milk snake!

I ALWAYS forgot someone...lol...
OH btw she's in the bag because that's the ONLY way she'll eat for me, is if she's in a paper bag overnight with the frozen fuzzy...odd girl...but that's how Zeus got feeding too so *shrugs*.

stephanbakir · 05-31-11, 02:15 PM

MAN that snake is pretty!

NennaMeerkat · 05-31-11, 03:25 PM

As someone else said if it doesn't continue to shirnk, gets larger, or even not shrinking at what you consider a comfortable rate...take her to a vet. She might need an xray to see what is going on in there. Is her lump where her eggs generally were?