Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone ever seen kinks develop in Mexican hognose? My pair are developing this it looks like the spine bends upwards and comes back down in 2 different spots on my snake looking like a bump each time on top of the back. Now my other one is doing it also. The first snake showed the bump about a week after I got it (or I was soo stupid not to notice it when I bought it). Is this in thier genes or ?? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Nick

I had a female Eastern that had the same thing--a kink. The vet said it was bascially a bone spur. A calcium build up on her spine. She told me it could cause her problems later, but as long as she seemed comfortable to not worry. May or may not be the same thing, but I hope that helps.

-----
Jenea

1:0 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Thank you! That makes perfect sense. How old is yours with the spur? I think this has to be genetic, unfortunately I bought this pair to breed but I think I might have to pass on this unwanted gene. Oh well they still look beautifull.
Nick

The orange girl in the pic was the one with the kink. Her age was unknown as she was a wild rescue. My brother-in-law found her in his yard and caught her to see if she was a "good or bad" snake. She recieved a minor injury during the capture on her jaw. It became infected and took several months to heal. So her initial doc visit was for many issues. Parasites and the kink where the others. Unknown to me, she was also gravid, which proved to be to much for her, with the other issues combined. At least she did not die from infection or the shovel (which my bro-in-law normally does!) Was very sad to loose her, she was such a pretty girl. I also just lost another female to a virus, so this has been a tough year for me....hoping my male has not caught it! Good luck with yours.
-----
Jenea

1:0 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly Snake
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Many things can cause kinks, jags, or swellings in the spinal region. First, some questions to help me, help you.

How old are your snakes? Are they related? Are they wild-caught (or more specifically, is there a reason to believe parasites may be present?). To help determine what's the likely cause, knowing if this is a recent developement, or a recent discovery on your part would be benificial.

You are correct in that genetics can play a role in spinal deformities. If this were the case, then they'd likely have had them when you bought them and you are only noticing them now. It is also a possibility that they are genetically predisposed to developing scoliosis just as some people are. If this were the case, it would be unlikely that they both are becoming symptomatic at the same time.

Another cause is birth defects related to hydration, temperature, toxins, parasites ect... again, this would've been present all along.

Parasites that migrate throughout the body as they mature possibly can get lost and embodied in a cyst causing problems resulting in spinal deformities. This is more rare, and would be more likely in a well burdened animal.

Being snakes, nutritional deficiencies are less likely. What are these guys eating? Pinky mice? Adults or subadults?

Traumatic injury can definately cause the symptoms you are mentioning. Being that they are both new animals, this might actually be a likely possibility. What is the cage like? Are they trying to get out lots? Are they very active? Any place where a crushing or grabbing injury could happen? Are there any other wounds on the body? Nose rubs, cuts, abrasions? Do your snakes pay attention to each other? (are they kept in the same enclosure?)

All in all, if this is a self limiting problem, (in that they aren't getting worse)then the cause is less important then the definition and the treatment. Your veterinarian can take X-rays to see if it is in fact a spinal problem, or something else that is causing an abnormal posture(tumors, abcesses, cysts, swellings ect). These will also be benificial to compare to future radiographs to see if it is improving or worsening over time. More often then not, all of this begins with a sick snake, and septicemia, in which the problem may resolve with antibiotics. Bloodwork would be needed to define this as the problem, and to also ensure the organs will handle the drugs used in treatment. There are several really good drugs that will help with any long term pain. Meloxicam is an NSAID that is used more and more with reptiles, and it's long term use has little to no side effects. (in the other species that it has been used in... people, dogs, cats ect).

Good luck with your snake, I"m sure it still has a long and happy life ahead of it

Ian

Thanks for the reply, here are the answers. The snakes are about 3 months old, they are from the same clutch,and CB. They should not have any parasites because when I bought them, they had not eaten and the first meal I gave them was pinkie mice and that is all that they have ate. 5 gal cage for each, they do not try to get out, they have good hiding places. No other injuries. I post pics of them and it is before the huge post/reply of Rumor of albinio lystrophis...
Thank you,
Nick

Good looking snakes,

I couldn't see anything from the photos so it's understandable that you could have missed this upon purchase. Most likely a birth defect that was there all along;
Still get some radiographs to verify the extent of what is going on with the benefits outlined in my previous post.

Lots of snakes do well on pinkies as they grow, however pinkies have a lot less calcium than adult mice. A nutritional deficiency is less likely based on the trial and error by thousands of keepers, but still possible.

Parasites and trauma are far down on the differential list for the reasons you mentioned.

All in all, I think they'll make a great, non-breeding pair

Ian