Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found a bump on my greybanded kingsnake two weeks ago which looked like a mosquito bite on a human. It didn't look infected to me and a friend-vet who was visiting (but has no specific reptile experience) said just to keep an eye on it. Now there are two more smaller but similar bumps in the same area -- on the body near the tail but not at the vent, same side (right). I've checked for flying insects and mites but found nothing. Any ideas? Will go to a vet soon anyway. Posted on the heath and breeding forum also.
thanks

A couple of year ago we collected an annulata on 624 that was bright and healthy at first. Shortly after getting the new guy home he began to develop blister like bumps and eventually died. We later heard that a number of animals from that locality have had the same issue.

Personally, I am not 100% sure if the problem was environmental such as a reaction to the substrate, or biological. But my advise to you is this… Take the animal to an experienced vet, reptiles are generally very hardy and when they do show any symptom it is frequently serious. You would also be wise to immediately quarantine this animal.

Trying to diagnose an illness over an Internet forum is good guesswork at best, no promises.

Lance

First off- let me cry caveat- it is impossible for anyone to say what might be causing this on your snake without examining it-

One cause of lumps under the skin is parasitic worms that burrow outwards and set up shop under the skin- ie the plerocercoid stage of tapeworms or perhaps a pentastomid (ref: "Understanding Reptile Parasites" R. Klingenberg D.V.M)

In my experience wild caught snakes which have been injured or otherwise highly stressed are liable to develop these lumps as part of a downward spiral.

Treatment if they are subcutaneous worms is cutting open the lump and extracting the worm.

Advice: seek vet help if possible, reduce stress as much as possible.