Questions about BPs with cancer.....:(

[4theSNAKElady]

I have a male cinnamon "Cash" whom we rescued from someone about two years ago. The moment we rescued him, he had a very large mass on his rear end area, so we took him to the vet to have it removed and to have Cash checked out. The vet removed the mass, checked Cash over, and said that it was probably a cancerous mass that would eventually come back, after which the prognosis would not be good... Since then, Cash has been through a lot, and has been to the vet since then, and had several shots. I have been unable to confront the fact that Cash's mass has been slowly returning over the last few months, as well as an additional smaller mass in the surrounding area. I dont want him to be put through anymore than he has been, especially since he currently is having a somewhat decent quality of life (eats like a pig!) I have never had a snake with a condition like this, and I have two questions/concerns: He sheds EVERY two weeks, and hes about 5-6 years old....is that normal? Secondly, even though he does eat like a pig, he looks "thin". Is that normal too? seems strange to me. I know I can contact the vet to see what his opinion is, but I wanted to hear some opinions from forum members first on what their thoughts were. Anybody who has ever had ANY KIND of snake with cancer, could you please give me some advice & guidance??!! He is such a sweet boy

[jbean7916]

I've never heard of a bp with cancer before.

Shedding repeatedly is not uncommon in snakes that are sick or have mites. Not "normal" but normal for your situation.

Pics would help us to tell you if he seems "thin".

I hope its not coming back aggressively, I can't imagine snake surgery being easy to recover from. Poor guy!

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[DooLittle]

I've never heard of a snake with cancer before either, but I suppose anything is possible. If he is thin, but eating, and not gaining weight, that would sound par for course for a illness in any animal. Don't know what to say, except to wish you luck??

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[Royal Hijinx]

That is too bad to hear. It would explain why he is shedding so much. Personally, I would keep an eye on him and when the tipping point happens that he looks to be suffering, I would have him put down. Sounds like you have done really good by him, so kudos to you.

[kitedemon]

I have seen a snake with a growth just below the spur by the right side of the vent. I know that particular snake has had it most of his life. As far as I know it has been just dismissed as a odd growth and has not been removed or altered (tested) in anyway. It does change size becoming smaller and larger over the years. This snake is 9 or 10 years old and has lived quite 'happily' with this for most of these years. If it is cancer I can't say. I sounds similar I might suggest leave it until it becomes a hinderance or is anything other than closed (no bleeding puss or anything like this.)

Slow to no weight gain it is quite possible that that is related to the growth but perhaps it could be internal parasites too? Have you had a fecal exam done? It might be worth it, they often suggest running one and then a few moths later running a second as evidence does not appear in ever deification.

I hope that your snake does well and I wish you the best of luck.

[4theSNAKElady]

Update on Cash.....
So, because of his health condition, we have been keeping a close record on everything Cash does,(eat, soak, shed, etc,.) and he has been shedding every 6-10 days!! That is DEFINATELY NOT normal. He doesnt seem to be in any pain, and has been eating like a pig. His muscle tone is fine and he doesnt look "sickly thin" anymore, although he does still have a lean look to him. Sooooo, I am just going to let him live a good life as long as hes comfortable and eating. The mass still is there, and has not appeared to have grown anymore than it had, so for now watching and waiting is all we can do.

* as a side note, the September issue of REPTILES magazine has a really good article about reptile cancer.

[heathers*bps]

I'm sorry to hear about your snake, but I think you are doing an awesome job at taking care of Cash. I would love to see pics of him!

[DooLittle]

Yes! Pics of Cash please! Good for you for giving him the time as long as he isn't suffering.

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