Ira needs surgery

[Clementine_3]

Just got back from the vet with Ira (4 year old IJ) and he is scheduled for surgery on the 18th. He has a lump on his snout that just won’t go away.
It started almost a year ago, he had lump so I took him to the vet. A course of Batryl seemingly cleared it up, for about 6 months. Then it came back, but it never “stayed”, it would puff up right before he went blue, then go away right after he shed (it was not big, but noticeable). The vet was puzzled and told me to keep an eye on it. It would totally go away, it wasn’t like there was always a little bump the got bigger and smaller. This happened for many sheds and the vet continued to be puzzled, I took pictures for him.
Well, he shed 1 1/2 weeks ago and the lump did not go away, but got bigger so off we went. It’s a solid mass type thing, there is no fluid to draw/test. He wants to remove whatever is in there and send it and some surrounding tissue samples to the lab.
He said he’s done this type of thing before, on a Burm, and it went well. All except the part where that mass was malignant and came back. He had to put him down because it went into his mouth and throat.
So, any thoughts? I’m just so upset, my poor little 6’ baby!

[Courtney281]

Im so sorry. I hope it comes back benign and he is okay. Good luck and keep us posted

[crapwhereaminow]

I've got my fingers crossed for him!

[Shadera]

It sounds like he's going to be in good hands. Sending prayers and good thoughts!

[iCandiBallPythons]

Things like this are rough I hope for the best hopefully all will go well

[DemmBalls]

Sounds like you've done everything you can and you've been a very responsible keeper. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[txherp]

Interesting, can you post the pics of the lump?

[Clementine_3]

Thanks everyone.
I'm a worrier from way back and this is going to be a long week!
Here is a picture I took on 9/30, it was right before his last shed and "should have" gone down like it always did. It's actually bigger than this now

[sarahlovesmiike]

Awwh! That doesn't look good. Kudos for doing everything you can for him. I'm sure he will pull through

[shelliebear]

I'm so sorry. I hope it turns out ok.