Small lump

[purpleroan]

So, this morning while I had my girl out I found a small lumpish thing on her side. It's not even noticeable when her body is bent out that way, she's moving totally normal and is still curious and relaxed. I can't tell if it's a bump or a dent actually. I'll post some photos. Nothing happened that I know of, all was secure during my trip last night, the only thing I recall is going to pick her up and not realizing she was partially curled around a metal rack leg, and yet that wasn't a hard tug or anything and I'm not sure if her body was that far in. Am I being paranoid? I'll definitely take her to a vet if need be. It's hard to see in some photos but you can tell by how the highlights change.


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[purpleroan]

I also found a few of her scales looking weird under her neck? It's possible that these were here before before and I never noticed, but now that I'm seeing her in good daylight they're showing up. You can see in he photo it's almost like they're peeling. I'm not sure if it's related at all.


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[SDA]

Looks like it might have been slight irritation but that is just speculating. What is interesting is the one abnormal scale. By abnormal I mean it is a large scale that basically looks like two scales merged into one. If it is indeed just a "mutant" scale causing this "beauty mark" than you might be just fine. If instead it gets worse in the coming weeks or if you notice any discharge or missing scales than you might need to have a vet look at it for infection.

Right now it looks like one of three things:

1) Old scar that has healed up but scar tissue under the scales
2) physical deformity
3) kink
4) Just something from birth like you might have a mole or blemish

For now I would say just keep an eye on it and check when you take the snake out and do your regular inspection. If you notice redness (might be hard to notice on a dark scaled snake), puss or other discharge, missing scales, or swelling, go see a vet.

[purpleroan]

@SDA, I actually hadn't noticed the weird scale until you brought it up! After closer inspection it seems to have a light line running where the border should be, so my guess is just a funky congenital defect. It's not causing the dented area but it's curious that you pointed that out. I'll for sure keep an eye out though for everything you mention. It's a new development which is why I'm thinking irritation as well, unless it is scar tissue that flared up? If it does that? I'm not sure.

Any clues about the "peeling" neck scales?


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[SDA]

Could be scraped from dry coarse substrate. Could be humidity, dehydration or just left over shed. Yet another thing to monitor. If it it gets worse have it looked at. Make sure your humidity gauges are good and the humidity is sitting around 50-60% give or take a few.

[Sunnieskys]

That is one pink belly! Is she going into shed?

[purpleroan]

@Sunnieskys I'm pretty sure it was just a reflection! She's not pink in person, lol.


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[purpleroan]

The lump went away within a few hours of my posting so I'm guessing it was just a bit of inflammation.


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