what's wrong with this milksnake?

[brettsemrick]

I picked this girl up from my rat breeder a couple days ago. He was trying to give her away because she hand a kink in her tail and was no longer good for breeding. Apparently she laid a clutch of slugs and somehow this happened to her. She has to swollen masses, one kind of above and below her vent which kinda looks not all the way closed. What I'm wanting to know is this something that needs vet. attention and or something that she will live through. It's really sad that she is like this because she really is a sweet girl and I would really like to do what I could to help her survive.

[brettsemrick]

nobody?

[dr del]

Hi,

I was hoping some of our more experienced members would chime in.

I have seen fat pads (or saddlebags ) show on cornsnakes in various posts but the fact that continues down past the vent and the vent itself seems to be distorted by it is really worrying me.

Also the fact it sounds as though he is saying it was something that turned up very quickly makes me worry it's something like a prolapse or infection rather than a buildup of fatty tissue.

I'd have to say I would lean towards a vet visit just for advice on whether or not there is a risk of infection from the open vent if nothing else.

In the meantime you could PM or email some of the more experienced people with the pic for advice - Wilomn, Muddoc or BHB sping to mind as people who know their onions colubrid wise.


dr del

[j_h_smith]

I'm kind of leaning towards a bunch of petrified slugs.
Know anyone that can take an x-ray?

Good Luck1
Jim Smith

[wilomn]

Hardened slugs. You may be able to massage them out, she may push them out herself. Is she eating?

[brettsemrick]

I don't really know anybody who can take an x-ray and she is still eating.

[j_h_smith]

If these are petrified eggs, they will have to be removed. Possibly surgically. I think you will need to get an x-ray to determine what this is.

I don't see any other way. I wouldn't want to try to get them out, just in case they are tumors. You could kill the snake if they are tumors.

Do you have an experienced breeder in your area that may be able to help you. We're looking at a photo and it could look completely different in person.

I wish we could be of more help to you, but someone has to look at this snake soon.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[brettsemrick]

I'm going to take her to the dixie reptile show this weekend and see if I can get somebody to take a look at her.

[dr del]

Hi,

Any reason you are not just taking it to a vet?


dr del

[brettsemrick]

Hi,

Any reason you are not just taking it to a vet?


dr del

There is not a good exotic vet that is under 2+ hours away. I'm taking her to a show to let a guy who is a vet and also breeds milksnakes have a look at her.