Weird bump

[Ruby]

As Armiyana said, this extra info changes everything- Yes, listen to this vet! Also Never give probiotics to any animal (or person) while they're on any kind of antibiotic.

Probiotics are only appropriate AFTER all antibiotics are completed, as this vet will surely tell you. I would also ask your vet after you complete antibiotic therapy on this snake to make sure your vet is satisfied that no other antibiotics are needed.

We're glad you're here too- And we're all hoping the best for your beautiful snake.

Thanks for that info, Yeah I haven't asked the vet about probiotics yet, Ill ask after antibiotic therapy.
Thank you guys so much! 😊

[Bogertophis]

Thanks for that info, Yeah I haven't asked the vet about probiotics yet, Ill ask after antibiotic therapy.
Thank you guys so much! 😊

Both probiotics & antibiotics have their purposes, but they butt heads when used together. I'm so glad you asked about that, actually, because when one person asks, there's very likely a bunch of others that aren't posting, only reading along, that might be confused about the very same thing. We often talk about probiotics as being essentially harmless but if used improperly (at the same time as necessary antibiotic therapy) they can do bad things (like impair the needed medication).

[Ruby]

Update: Just got back from Poppy's vet appointment, the test results came back cancer-free!
She has an infection and the vet thinks its cellulitis or an infection caused by the mulch piece she ate a couple months ago.
We're going to continue the antibiotics every 3 days. Her bump has reduced A LOT, I cant tell where it is anymore.

Thank you guys so much ��

[Bogertophis]

Update: Just got back from Poppy's vet appointment, the test results came back cancer-free!
She has an infection and the vet thinks its cellulitis or an infection caused by the mulch piece she ate a couple months ago.
We're going to continue the antibiotics every 3 days. Her bump has reduced A LOT, I cant tell where it is anymore.

Thank you guys so much ��

That's WONDERFUL news! Thanks for updating us.

[Armiyana]

Awesome news! So glad she's already doing better. =D

[Ruby]

Another update: Poppy had an ultrasound November 8th, There was no mulch piece. I also talked to the vet about probiotics after the antibiotic treatment, He said it wasn't needed and her gut bacteria will return to normal when she has her next meal. He said this could've been caused by a tooth or nail of the F/T rodents? We don't know the cause for sure, So I'm not sure how to prevent this from happening again. I'm going to be feeding slightly smaller rodents and might cut their nails before feeding if recommended.

[Bogertophis]

Cutting the prey's nails (or teeth, if they stick out) is a good idea- that's about the only way to prevent an unlikely infection like this. I've been keeping many snakes for a long time & I've never had this happen- at least not that I was aware of. At least the swelling tipped you off so you could give antibiotics. I agree that a snake that's eating normally will usually replenish their gut bacteria pretty fast. It's mostly when they've been medicated multiple times or with multiple medications that probiotics can help them come back faster- especially when they're having obvious trouble digesting. I'm so glad that Poppy's recovering so well & so quickly. And good on you for getting him to the vet so quickly. I think that really helped too.

[Ruby]

You have no idea how relieved I am! Love this little snake so much.