Many of you may recall my recent classified ad where I was blowing out about 20% of my collection in order to raise money for my unwell adult female boa. For those who don't remember, here's the story; she was fine for the longest time, NEVER a problem with her. Ty Kohut, who I got her from, seemed to have done an excellent job raising her. I was THRILLED to get her in my collection. Well, one day, out of the blue, Vanan was over and he looked at her and said "HOLY ***** Ken, look at her mouth!"... it was swollen up so badly on the left side, she couldn't even close her mouth. Assuming it was stomatitis (mouth rot), I began treating it with peroxide and booked a vet appointment.
Due to the severity of the problem, as well as the fact that the infection gave her an RI as well, I isolated her, and we (and by we I mean the vet) began IM injections of a drug called Seftazadine - apparently the 'big guns' of antibiotics. While this did take the swelling down SIGNIFICANTLY, it didn't cure the problem. After a couple of followup cleanups, where the vet got pus and necrotic tissue out from whatever this growth was, we went for X-ray, and discovered that there was even some bone loss from whatever this damned thing is. So, I was faced with a choice - $400 biopsy, or putting her down. I have elected for the biopsy, as I feel she could have a great life if we can just get this damn thing OUT and figure out what it is. I know it will be stressful for her, but she is taking it remarkably well thus far - with vet appointments about every 3 days, the vet and techs have fallen completely in love with her. Even while she's home, she's SO well behaved it's unreal. But, I've grown VERY attached to the girl, and I don't want to put her down unless the vets say that there is nothing left we can do. There is a possibility that this growth is cancer - and if it is, quality of life will be the #1 concern, and she will be put down.
The biopsy is scheduled in a few weeks' time. I'll post an update afterward.
I wanted to give an honest and heart-felt THANK YOU to all who bought animals from me to help me cover the costs of x-rays, cleanings, and surgery, and to all who just emailed me to wish both myself and Athena the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Ken and Athena
(ignore the date on that pic... It was taken in 2004)
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