Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a rescue adult anerythristic corn which had been neglected and also bitten by an enclosure mate. The people didn't do anything about the bite so it got a lot worse until it was some 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I took this poor creature on because I felt so sorry for it and it has been to vet who cut of the old tissue and some abcess from the wound and put a protective pad over the wound for it to heal underneath. He also sent some suspect tissue off for analysis.

Well I heard from vet's surgery today (my reptile vet is away till Monday but spoke to someone else).

Sadly it appears my rescue corn definitely has a malignant tumor - so we're back to vet's with her on Monday to see what is best to do. Vet himself hasn't seen the wound since he operated and it still has its protective cover on. The wound is large (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter) and was originally thought to have occurred from a neglected bite from another snake (though we think that may have happened too as when our local reptile seller first saw the snake he saw 2 puncture wounds and venom oozing out).

The lady I spoke to didn't seem too optimistic of the outcome - it will be either more cutting or euthanasia

I haven't had her long (only a few weeks) but you get so attached to these critters.

Has anyone else had successful outcomes of malignant tumors in snakes? I know these things can take longer to become really bad because of the snake's slow metabolism.

Sue

First of all, thanks for giving the snake a shot at life.

Unless someone actually saw another snake biting your corn, I would have a hard time diagnosing the cause of your corn's original wound beyond that of a puncture wound.

Another possibility could be a live prey item biting the snake as an alternate cause?

The only malignant tumor I have dealt with in reptiles has been one on the side of a 13 year old iguana that I had to euthanize last January. The cancer had spread throughout its entire body, the animal was not eating, and had lost control of its bowels.

I have had to euthanize a 16 year old florida king who was eggbound, and while more surgery could have been done, the subsequent suffering that the snake would have to have undergone was not worth the procedure.

I know that whatever option that you choose will be made out of informed research and compassion.

Good luck.

Neil

Neil, thank you very much for your support. I guess I will see what the vet says on Monday and then, with his advice, make a decision. She seems relatively active at the moment (flicking tongue and has strength to resist me when I give her her antibiotic). But I need to do what is best for her - I wouldn't want her to suffer

Sue

Sue,

I decided that euthanasia was the best option for my florida king when she stopped eating after we aspirated the eggs that she could not pass. That snake ate, even when in blue, and until this time in her life, had never refused a meal!

The iguana was a handful, even when on death's door. Even after losing weight and control of his bodily functions, he still took twice the dose of barbituates required for a 9 pound animal to stop his heart. Even in the end, he put up a fight, biting, clawing, tail whipping.

Hopefully your snake is on the mend, and the cancer has not spread.

Good luck at the vet.

Neil

Hi Neil

I've never had to go through the euthanasia thing - but I feel at some point it may well happen. She isn't eating at the moment (but then I guess that isn't surprising as she's recovering from her op last week and being given oral antibiotics daily). She seems quite bright considering though. If the cancer hasn't spread maybe vet will be able to take it out and she might have a bit longer - but the original wound is large so I think they are not sure it will ever heal. I'll find out on Monday what is the best option for her. Is the euthanasia a lethal injection? I was wondering yesterday if it was injection or like a gas.

Sue

Sue,

The veterinarian that I take my herps to used anesthesia for both animals. After they were anesthetized, he injected their hearts with the barbituate.

I felt that the procedure was the most ethical to do, and there was no suffering from the animals that I could observe.

It's hard to put down animals that you'ved kept for years, but if they are terminally ill and suffering, then I feel that it's the most compassionate route to take.

Neil

Thank you, Neil. Well not long now - I shall find out the worst on Monday. Thanks for all your posts - it means a lot to me

Sue

Let us know what happens.

Remember, you did the best that you could.

Neil

Thank you for your all your posts and kind words and sorry for delay in replying (been on a 4-day vacation). Unfortunately we had to have Miss Snakey euthanized the day before we left.

We went to the vet to talk to him about the results of the biopsy and decided that he should re-open the wound and see if anything could be done regarding removal of the tumor. Well after cleaning around he examined the tumor and there wouldn't have been enough healthy tissue to cut away afterwards plus the tumor was a malignant bonal tumor (I think that's what he called it) and attached to the spinal cord. We decided it would be best for her if she was euthanized whilst still under the anaesthetic.

I really miss her although she was only with us such a short time.

Sue