Reticulated Python CT Scan

I should have 3D images in a few days.

This is Chaos. Chaos has had intermittent bubbling/drooling for a while along with a swollen snout, but multiple cultures have shown no signs of infection and his lungs are also clear. So, SEAVS in Fairfax, VA took some pictures of his head today to see if they can tell what is going on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ4Llw04spw

Dr Stahl is great. I don’t do regular vet visits for my snakes like I would for a cat or dog, but he is who I take my snakes to. Hope he can figure out the issue and get it resolved. Best of luck!

As an x-ray and CT tech in training, this is freaking amazing. I would love to see the images when they're available if you don't mind.

Good luck, hope he gets well soon.

Cant see the photo.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Cant see the photo.

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Well it’s a vid and it’s there and really cool to see a snake in such an amazing machine

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

Well it’s a vid and it’s there and really cool to see a snake in such an amazing machine

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I watched it in Taptalk. That is a large animal for sure. Would love to see the scan itself. I work on these machines. Is amazing the 3d images that can be produced with them.

i hope all goes well for Chaos and look forward to seeing those cool CT scan pix. :)

BTW how many peeps did it take to carry him into the machine? i recall it took like 9 people to carry like a 20footer for diagnostic imaging at the Columbus or Cincinnati.

Edit: ok it was 7 adults for a 19ft Tiger. they had her doubleback on the tray/gurney: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ets-a-CAT-Scan very impressive animals.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

i hope all goes well for Chaos and look forward to seeing those cool CT scan pix. :)

BTW how many peeps did it take to carry him into the machine?

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I actually don't know since I wasn't there for the procedure; the vet sent us the video last night. My husband and I can move Chaos by ourselves even when he's not zonked on telazol so I doubt it took more than 3 people to move him.

Awesome video, thanks for sharing. Technology is an amazing thing when used for the right things.

Anyway, I wish you and Chaos all the best.

Scan results:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cojnOA9Nub8

woahh that's soo cool

hope your retic gets better :(

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Scan results:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cojnOA9Nub8

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Awesome


Sent from my iPhone using Crapatalk.

Amazing what technology can do these days! Hope he (she?) is ok. Please keep us posted.

Wow, that's incredible!!!!!

Thats crazy. Ive never seen this, your video is GREAT.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is so cool! Thanks for sharing. Look at those teeth haha.

What was the outcome of the results?

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

What was the outcome of the results?

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The title of the video says it has maxillary osteomyelitis, which a google search says is a bone infection.

I hope they can get him on something to help, though I noticed that the only options for humans seem to be antibiotics and surgery.

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Originally Posted by Starscream

The title of the video says it has maxillary osteomyelitis, which a google search says is a bone infection.

I hope they can get him on something to help, though I noticed that the only options for humans seem to be antibiotics and surgery.

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Yeah he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. They will remove the infected bone and then leave some kind of time-release "antibiotic bead" at the site to help prevent it from returning. The beads were actually developed for people who get joint replacements since circulation is often impaired around the new joint, so even injected antibiotics don't get to the infected area.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Yeah he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. They will remove the infected bone and then leave some kind of time-release "antibiotic bead" at the site to help prevent it from returning. The beads were actually developed for people who get joint replacements since circulation is often impaired around the new joint, so even injected antibiotics don't get to the infected area.

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Thanks for the update. Wishing you and Chaos all the best...

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Yeah he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. They will remove the infected bone and then leave some kind of time-release "antibiotic bead" at the site to help prevent it from returning. The beads were actually developed for people who get joint replacements since circulation is often impaired around the new joint, so even injected antibiotics don't get to the infected area.

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Any update on how she is doing? Best wishes.

Surgery had to be postponed because he went into shed; apparently it's not a good idea to operate on snakes while they're in shed.

Chaos update:

After the delay while he went through a shed cycle, Chaos had surgery yesterday to remove the infected section of bone. According to the vet the swelling has gone down a lot, he is on some really good drugs for pain, and he'll be on injected antibiotics for a while. They want to keep him for a few more days so hopefully we can pick him up next week but he is doing very well post-op so far. Unfortunately they had to remove so much bone that he may be on a diet of small multiple feeders for a while until things heal up.

They also described him as "rather cranky"; he really does not appreciate being a pincushion.

Oh poor "little" Chaos! I just caught up to this amazing story...you & Chaos have my very best wishes for his good recovery. (I'd be "cranky" too...;) )

I'm glad to hear surgery went well and Chaos is recovering nicely. Thanks for the update!

So glad to hear surgery was successful. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

As for cranky, they really do learn pretty quickly about the shots. I’ve given them to a 5’ boa and a 13’ burm...they did not appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

They also described him as "rather cranky"; he really does not appreciate being a pincushion.

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I think I would be "rather cranky" if I had to go through this. Best wishes and speedy recovery.

Wow, it's really incredible to see a snake going through a CT scan and that 3D model has to be the coolest thing I've seen in a while. This is an amazing story and I hope Chaos feels better soon and makes a full recovery!

Chaos is home. He's on antibiotics for a few weeks - amakacin and "pip-taz" (Piperacillin / Tazobactam) - and his face looks tons better.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Chaos is home. He's on antibiotics for a few weeks - amakacin and "pip-taz" (Piperacillin / Tazobactam) - and his face looks tons better.

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Awesome news!!!

Final update:

Chaos started eating again on 04/17 and as of today he's allowed to have normal-sized feeders again instead of lots of smaller ones.

Oh and Happy Mother's Day to me, he presented me with his first poop since the surgery.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Final update:

Chaos started eating again on 04/17 and as of today he's allowed to have normal-sized feeders again instead of lots of smaller ones.

Oh and Happy Mother's Day to me, he presented me with his first poop since the surgery.

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So happy to hear he is doing better and happy Mothers Day.

Great news!