Reptile & Amphibian Forums

While doing some weekly cleaning and water changes I found my male western hognose in this condition. His tail after his vent is very swollen and lumpy, and right before the vent is very thin. I know the obvious thing to do is take him to the vet. I live in Atlanta and we just had a snow storm. When this happens in Atlanta the whole city shuts down. So not only is the vet not open, but you usually have to get an appointment a few days in advance, so I'm not even sure when I could get the vet to look at him.

Anyways I know things like this can be hard to diagnose with just a picture, but I figure it was worth asking since there isn't much else I can do at the moment. I could probly go in to my normal vet (not reptile vet) tomorrow and get a shot of baytril, I just don't think he knows enough about reptiles to diagnose the problem himself though.

Also I figured I might add that he seems to be acting fine, hasnt eaten much lately, but he usually doesnt during the winter.

Looks like a female with an infection in her scent glands.
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Ultimate Hognose

Thanks for the response, but its definitely a male. Hes a proven breeder.

I agree with that looks like a female,to me

What has the snake been eating ? What kind of bedding do you use in the cage? just my opinion I would try neosporin,for now, AND take the water bowl out of cage. good luck...

sorry, twillis10 did not look at the last pic. I see....

Thanks for the advice. He has been eating 1 or 2 hoppers a week. He has been off feed for the winter for about a month now. I have him on aspen bedding, the same I have used for a long time.

I know what this is. I have had several eastern hogs succumb to the same problem. It's infection of the peri-cloacal musk glands. Very difficult to treat especially since most of the vets around here do not specialize in the care of exotics.
I have tried long term IM injections of antibiotics which controls but does not cure the situation. The best approach is surgical drainage or removal of the infected gland. In one instance, the surgery "cured" the problem for several years, but the problem re-occurred. In the other instance, the surgical wound would not heal.
I've often wondered what would cause this problem. It seems to occur in only my eastern hogs. I have them on paper substrate and have transitioned most of them to rodents from toads. In any case, topical treatment (neosporin) is not going to work. I would recommend bringing him to a vet that specializes in exotics. Good Luck!

The (neosporin, was just a suggestion, until he is able to take the snake to the vet, because of the snow ,,,,read the post .

Hey snaketaboo77...
I read the post and I was responding directly to twillis10.
So don't get your panties in bunch. Neosporin is a bad idea.
If you had appendicitis would you rub neosporin over the area?
Neosporin might work for skin blister diesease. The point is that twillis10 needs to get his snake to the right vet ASAP.
Any advice that could delay this puts his snake at risk...that's all I was getting at.

really,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,fsepe

Thanks so much for your insight. That is terrible news, luckily I do live close to a very respected exotic pet vet. Hopefully I can get it taken care of.

I have had this happen with a few hognose, corn snakes and a Kenyan sand boa(all males). In all of my cases it ended up being a small piece of aspen that was taken in during the breeding season. It always takes a while to start swelling and become infected.
I'm not suggesting that this is the only thing that will cause the symptoms shown, but just another option. If it is a foreign object, and you (or your vet) can get it out, the animal will most likely come through just fine.
I have no reptile vets here in N. Idaho and have had to go it alone on most of my issues, although I do have a vet that I consult with on some things. This is a reptile vet in the making I guess.
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Steve Perry
North Idaho.

As others have stated, infection. Probably need to "drain" the wound and a round of antibiotics. Lets us know how it goes at the vet.
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Jenea
Guardian Reptiles

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

Hi,

I agree with the other posters, it looks like plugged musk glands. I have had this occur with garter snakes and adding Omega-3 fish oil to the diet helped considerably. Omegs-3s are a major anti-inflamitory force, that is why they are so good for your heart/circ. system and for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Oil is a major component of snake musk and by thinning that oil out you may reduce the inflamation of those glands and greatly reduce the swelling. As I said, it worked for the garters. The only down side is the fishy smelling stools that you'll have to deal with. It is worth considering and certainly worth trying before dangerous antibiotics or surgery. Good luck.

Will

PS - I have kept colubrids for 30+ years and have only seen this in species whose natural diet was fish/frogs