Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, this is going to sound a bit strange, but I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had their snake experience this...
My western hog has some kind of bone deformity. She has 'kinks' throughout her body. The worst one is on the side by her head. I know that they are not tumors because I've had x-rays taken a while back. They just showed some of her bones growing in curves. I'll post pics if it's necessary, but maybe someone has heard of this. Just a bit worried because they seem to be getting more pronounced the bigger she gets.
Thanks in advance
Katie

Well, to be honest, if it starts interfering with it's quality of life, I would have it put down. I don't mean for this to sound harsh, or mean, because I care a whole lot for my snake's as well, but if I thought they were in pain, or otherwise really bad off, I would do it. The worst thing is to have an animal continue to suffer. Now I'm certainly not saying that it is, because I've never seen it, or been around it, but if this seems to be the case, that is definitely what I would do.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

I've never seen it but I have read and heard of several types of "kinks" that can affect the appearance of a snake. Take a look at this thread from Ball Python forum. It's by no means limited to pythons -- I was originally looking for a thread I found a while back on kinking in kingsnakes but found this instead. I think the basic gist is that it may be genetic, the result of an injury, or the result of various vitamin deficiencies (I don' know if your snake was born with it or if it recently developed). My impressions is that as long as the snake does not appear to be in pain or is suffering that it shouldn't be too much of a problem but I'm really no expert on this matter. Everything I know about kinked snakes I learned on kingsnake.com:
Genetic Kinking

I took on caring for a red tail boa a few years ago with a so called kink in his back, I really felt sorry for this guy, he was to be put down, not because he was in pain but no one wanted him.
I do think you are right about it being genteic, I myself have rheumatoid arthritis, and it has kinked my spine!
Other wise I get along alright ( fat and healthy )
As long as your hogie is eating and dosen't seem to be in pain I would not put him down, just till people you have a handicap snake.
Sure hope my wife not planing on putting me down!!!

Boneiface

My Dorothy has Arthur in her back, The upside.. She keeps the house at 80 all the time.

Who needs cage heating when the whole house is a sauna 24/7 ?

And no I'm not euthanizing her anytime soon. and even though I am tempted to euthanize the kids at times, Its not legal

Sometimes it can be uplifting to care for any animal that would otherwise not make it in the wild.

A blind milk snake for instance will live far longer and more comfortable in the care of a compassionate human than in the wild.

Mother nature follows Darwin's law to the letter. An albino snake will occur in the wild, but without camouflage to keep it hid, predators like birds will eat the Albie first.

Whereas in captivity albinism is heralded and prized in reptile collections. so Albie can live many years, see a doctor when ill, be assured of a steady food supply, etc..

Make sure the ramps to the hide box have railings (me bad)

Good luck with your hog nose Katie.

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
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1.0.0 Ball Python - Python regius "Cane" Rescue
1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garters "spot" & "Zig"
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - eastern Garter - Princess
1.0.0 Thamnophis pickeringi - Puget Sound Garter "Sky" (adult, Sky blue)
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER"
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
0.2.0. Feline"Felix"(R.I.P. 4/27/08) "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

"...I've had x-rays taken a while back. They just showed some of her bones growing in curves."

Sounds like it's a genetic issue, one it was born with, and it could continue to progress to total impairment. I wouldn't be too quick to euthanize, not at the moment, at least, based on what you've said. However, try to prepare yourself just in case that time comes.

Did it have any noticeable health issues when you first got it? How old was it when you got it? How old is it now?

Also, I think if you'd be so kind as to share a photo or two of the snake and an x-ray it could possibly educate a lot of us. I would love to see a photo of the snake and an x-ray to compare what the bones are actually doing and how they look, as well as the effect they have on the outward appearance & movement.

I'm truly sorry to hear about this. I'm not a Vet or an expert so there's always a chance it may never get to the point of needing euthanization. I hope it gets by just fine & is merely a slight handicap.

Please post pics if you don't mind, I would definitely appreciate it.

Hang in there!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Hello everyone who responded.. sorry it took me so long to get some pictures up. I don't own the actual x-ray photos, sorry.
But, heres the best ones I took myself.
She appears to be in shed, but breathing seems to be getting worse. Seems like she has a hard time...I hear hissing type noises coming from her a lot, along with opening her mouth.
Thanks for looking and helping
Katie

Another consideration is
I had a baby cornsnake that developed more and more lumps and kinks as it grew. Had her necropsied....her bone was full of bacterial infection. Go figure.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny