Weird bulge near tail vent?

[BallBoa]

My ball python recently formed this small lump on her on her tail. I was wondering if this is something I should be worried about or need to call the vet over, it doesn’t appear to be particularly large


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[cuddlykhajiit]

Building? Has she been on the cold side a lot?

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[Bogertophis]

That's in the tail- below the snake's cloaca (aka 'vent') so it's NOT normal & likely to be an infection/abscess, or a tumor- yes, you do need to see a vet for this as soon as possible. If you need to find a qualified herp vet, try this link (in the USA): https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 Good luck, & let us know how it goes?

[dee151]

Hello curious, what can cause this

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[BallBoa]

Just finished the vet visit. They said that they think it’s fat and that she looks like a very healthy snake which is relieving. They measured the bulge so that if it increases in size and we think we need to take her back we can know that.


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[Bogertophis]

I appreciate you getting back to us on this, but I question your vet's diagnosis (or experience?), mainly because you said this is a recent development & that's not how fat deposits happen- they're neither quick nor in a specific location like this appears to be. Nevertheless, I hope your snake has a good outcome.

[BallBoa]

I appreciate you getting back to us on this, but I question your vet's diagnosis (or experience?), mainly because you said this is a recent development & that's not how fat deposits happen- they're neither quick nor in a specific location like this appears to be. Nevertheless, I hope your snake has a good outcome.

It does seem weird, but I have trust in that vet, they were recommended to us by our last reptile vet who did a very good job with our animals.


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[Bogertophis]

It does seem weird, but I have trust in that vet, they were recommended to us by our last reptile vet who did a very good job with our animals.


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Well at least you & they will be be monitoring it, if it continues to increase in size. Off-hand I'd say they're hesitant to do surgery to open up such a touchy area if there's any chance it can safely be left alone. Only time will tell & you have my very best wishes. But I've seen snakes (not mine) with either infections or tumors in that location- I truly hope it's fat.

[BallBoa]

Well at least you & they will be be monitoring it, if it continues to increase in size. Off-hand I'd say they're hesitant to do surgery to open up such a touchy area if there's any chance it can safely be left alone. Only time will tell & you have my very best wishes. But I've seen snakes (not mine) with either infections or tumors in that location- I truly hope it's fat.

Thank you, and we will be monitoring very closely to see if there are any changes. One thing I forgot to mention is that they did probe her, and I feel as though if anything were immediately terribly wrong it would have shown up when they did that, but I’m not an expert. Thanks again and you’ve been extremely helpful through this whole ordeal.


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