Snake Lump

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

This is not something that you want to be treating with home remedies as the abscess could rupture internally and your snake could get very sick. The abscess needs to be lanced and removed(reptile abscesses are firm and not fluid-filled) and the snake put on antibiotics so it doesn't form again.

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Bearhart,

Please don't confuse a human pimple. and the treatments therof, with a reptile abscess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bearhart

"Abscesses are the most common dermatologic condition seen in captive reptiles. They are commonly caused by bites from prey or cage mates. Most abscesses are filled with a solid exudate. Treatment for abscesses include surgically removing the abscess and irrigating the area and using antibiotics pending culture and sensitivity"

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Your own quoted source says "surgically remove" not "gently tugging and/or prodding the lump".

If the abscess is indeed solid then nothing of worth can be attained and if it isn't and does indeed have a weakspot it may well turn out to be on the inward facing side thus leading to a much more serious infection.

In these instances once a trusted vet has been consulted the only sensible course of action is to do what he tells you to and ask him before doing anything he hasn't mentioned - it may be because it will interfere with a treatment he has planned for example.

** edit**

I see my slow typing has once again lead to Becky getting the info out there before fumblefingers has left the starting gate :bow:

**end edit**


dr del

ok, I'm only trying to suggest what I would do in the absense of proper veterinary help. If anybody has reason to believe my suggestions are dangerous I welcome the intervention.

Not to argue the point, but just to defend the fact that I was being sensitive to potential risks here:

1) He did say the lump felt like an air pocket which suggested it might contain fluid. The term "solid exudate" could have simply meant that what was contained was not a solution. A whitehead pimple contains somethat that could be described as solid. Likewise, "surgically remove" could simply refer to, what is commonly referred to as, "lancing". If you look at my second reference you will see "Treatment of abscesses involves lancing and completely draining the abscess, with follow-up treatment of cleansing, dressing, and possibly an antibiotic treatment" which, I think you'll find, is just about the same for anything including humans.

2) I was careful to suggest using only minimal force. Undoubtedly this thing is being regularly disturbed simply by the snakes own movement.

3) I would be surprised if at least some abscesses do go away. The abscess is simply a collection of dead cell bodies from the war between the bacteria and the immune system. With infections, one or the other side usually wins. If the snake loses he dies. If the bacteria lose, there is still the "mess" left by the war. In that case (in mammals at least), if the abscess is not drained, the body will very slowly break down and get rid of what's there. If abscesses were 100% fatal I would expect at least one of my references to bother to mention that. In fact I don't think either even mentioned death as a risk. In any case, my statement that abscesses will go away was mostly meant to convey that this was not an emergency situation that required any sort of drastic action.

4) I was only mentioning home treatment in the case that Squishy felt he had to do something. Perhaps I should have been more clear in stating that waiting for the vet was probably the best course of action.

Ok guys a little update here, maybe clear some things up and get your opinion on the new developements here. The injury on the back of the snake is very old and well healed far before i had him so that is not the cause. The bump was at the most 2 days old when i noticed it. I handle them at least every other day and it must have developed on one of the off days. It does feal very soft and not hard.Also it seems to be going away on its own i can barly see it anymore. Now for my possibly dumb and belated question. The other day I had him out and i was doing some cleaning and water changes my hands were full so i set him on the table for like 10 secounds when i came back he was on the chair it is possibly that it could be a small swelling from falling. I dont know if that happens on snakes as it doess humans but i thouhgt i would throw that out there see what you think

I want to thank all of you I appreciate your help very much!

Glad to hear its not getting bigger!

I'm sure snakes can get bruises and swelling. I'm a little skeptical though because that is located where the snake is fairly light. Who knows.

Also, it is possible for an old injury to flare back up if it has something embedded in it. But if it was a huge infection that was successfully destroyed by your snake's immune system I would expect the body to take much longer to re-absorb all that junk. Swelling, on the other hand, can go down quickly.

I don't know what your finances are like but I would still stick it out and go to the vet. You can still get a little education and a wellness visit. :sunny: