Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This evening I picked up an adult female western. She has what looks like a HUGE fat deposit in her tail. What's going on here? Is this something I should be alarmed about? She seems to be otherwise in great shape; good weight, nice muscle tone, pissy attitude. (So much so that the pet store employee used a hook to pick her up, I giggled throughout that entire performance...)

I apologize in advance for the HORRID quality of these pictures, but at least the fat deposit is still easy to see. My other female has a small fat pad in her tail too, but nothing like this...it actually seems to be pushing on her vent.

Thanks in advance, this is my third hog and I'm hooked.

Looks like it could possibly be infected musk glands. Is the swelling hard or soft in nature? The musk glands can become impacted and infected, so to be safe, I would take her to a vet.
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Jenea
Guardian Reptiles

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the grave" Author unknown

It's quite soft. Thanks, I'll get her in to my herp vet Friday.

Just a thought. Although it's hard to see as the piture is poor. The vent looks to be on the left hand side of the swelling in which case the length of tail suggests its a male. If that is so it looks like a case of infected hemipenes

Whatever the case you would be wise to get it to a vet asap.

All the best with it.

Roger.