Corn Snake Has Hard Lump - Page 4

Neon Aurora · 08-09-18, 09:52 AM

I didn't take any pictures of the ultrasound because I was assisting to hold her still, but they took multiple clips. Probably when I go back next week for the aspiration, I will ask if they will send me the clips. I definitely want to have them. It was really neat seeing her heart doing its thing.

And thanks everyone! I hate to leave an animal in need high and dry. I'm just glad this worked out in the financial aspect and that it is contributing to education.

In other news, I can't get her to eat. I brained the fuzzy and everything and she wasn't interested. Guess my rosy boa will get an extra snack before her next feeding. I'm thinking I will try to feed Fletcher again maybe on Sunday. Perhaps she is just stressed from me having to take her to so many vet appointments.

craigafrechette · 08-09-18, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neon Aurora

I didn't take any pictures of the ultrasound because I was assisting to hold her still, but they took multiple clips. Probably when I go back next week for the aspiration, I will ask if they will send me the clips. I definitely want to have them. It was really neat seeing her heart doing its thing.

And thanks everyone! I hate to leave an animal in need high and dry. I'm just glad this worked out in the financial aspect and that it is contributing to education.

In other news, I can't get her to eat. I brained the fuzzy and everything and she wasn't interested. Guess my rosy boa will get an extra snack before her next feeding. I'm thinking I will try to feed Fletcher again maybe on Sunday. Perhaps she is just stressed from me having to take her to so many vet appointments.

I wouldn't worry too much about her not eating, and I'm sure you're probably right that it's stress related.

Please continue to keep us posted. I know I appreciate it.

Neon Aurora · 09-07-18, 07:53 AM

Finally got her test results back.

I ended up doing an ultrasound guided aspiration and sent the sample off for biopsy. Spent more money than I wanted to, but whatever. I wanted to follow this through for my old friend.

It's cancer, probably a sarcoma. I'm thinking for sure what I want to do, but am leaning towards euthanasia. The tumor is HUGE and growing and surely must have metastasized by now. I don't think treating it would be worth it.

They weren't able to tell me which organ is started in. They think probably intestines, but could be muscle or connective tissue as well.

I feel like at this point euthanasia is probably in the best interest of the snake. She's losing weight like crazy and will not eat.

**Andy_G** · 09-07-18, 11:00 AM

I'd agree that euthanasia may be best. Sorry to hear the result, but at least you now have answers.

craigafrechette · 09-08-18, 05:52 AM

I'm so sorry to hear this news.
And I think I have to agree with your decision.

HUGE props to you for all you've done for this snake, especially since it wasn't your responsibility in the first place.

I whole-heartedly wish you all the best.

phenyx · 09-08-18, 08:31 PM

I'm so sorry it turned out this way. I agree with you and the others that euthanasia is the kindest choice. You are an awesome keeper to have gone all the way with her like this.

Neon Aurora · 09-09-18, 12:08 AM

Thanks everyone! Not the results I hoped for, but they are the results I expected.

I feel good about what I did, and will feel at peace with euthanizing her. I haven't even told my sister how much I spent (about $400) and probably won't. She will likely think I am insane.

My sister said she will take care of the euthanasia, so I'm going to give her the chance to do so. But I won't let it go for much longer, if she puts off fulfilling that responsibility.

Sad, but such is life. I have lost many animals in my (relatively short) lifetime, all from things I could not control, sometimes young animals. Each one of those times, I did what diagnostic work was needed to determine if the animal could be saved or not. I didn't think this snake deserved any less.

DJC Reptiles · 09-09-18, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neon Aurora

I feel good about what I did, and will feel at peace with euthanizing her. I haven't even told my sister how much I spent (about $400) and probably won't.

That’s the one thing that makes me guilty studying to become a vet. I would feel bad charging people to save animals. I guess there’s also euthanizing animals, but I’m hoping saving them will help with that. Thanks for doing everything you could for the snake, once we start talking about surgery and chemotherapy for snakes, that crosses a line since we can’t know what a snake thinks.