Can someone help .

Tracy33 · 10-01-13, 07:59 AM

In the matter of hours , my CP neck or jaw has really swollen up bad . I don't think the photos show it so well . The swelling is like in two lumps , and they are uneven . I have looked inside his mouth , and it seems swollen each side of the mouth . I have never seen this before , he is 16 this month , can anyone help .

Tracy33 · 10-01-13, 08:00 AM

Tracy33 · 10-01-13, 08:01 AM

Tracy33 · 10-01-13, 08:02 AM

formica · 10-01-13, 08:24 AM

woah thats a swelling an a half, Vet is definitely needed - my first thought is Thyroid problem, but you really need a vet to diagnose asap

If you have any iodine tablets designed for reptiles, that is an option in the mean time, but it may not be thyroid related, i'm not a vet!

sharthun · 10-01-13, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

woah thats a swelling an a half, Vet is definitely needed - my first thought is Thyroid problem, but you really need a vet to diagnose asap

If you have any iodine tablets designed for reptiles, that is an option in the mean time, but it may not be thyroid related, i'm not a vet!

+1 vet right away!

Starbuck · 10-01-13, 08:55 AM

Vet. I wouldn't administer any kind of iodine tablets. There are lots of structures under the jaw, and lots of potential causes for swelling. Lymph nodes, salivary glands, etc etc, abscess, cellulitis, traumatic edema. ... get it to a vet. We can't help you via internet/pictures.
Best of luck please keep us updated!

formica · 10-01-13, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

Vet. I wouldn't administer any kind of iodine tablets. There are lots of structures under the jaw, and lots of potential causes for swelling. Lymph nodes, salivary glands, etc etc, abscess, cellulitis, traumatic edema. ... get it to a vet. We can't help you via internet/pictures.
Best of luck please keep us updated!

snakes dont have lymph nodes, but yes, here are many things it could be! I'm not even sure that the thyroid is that close to a snakes head tbh, having checked some anatomy pics its further down by the heart

Starbuck · 10-01-13, 09:33 AM

You learn something new every day I guess. They still have lymphatic systems and ducts, just not localized into glands as in mammals. I would be skeptical of a thyroid issue arising so suddenly.

MDT · 10-01-13, 10:21 AM

Something that rapid could be infectious (abscess)...the bad thing is that a parapharyngeal abscess (or any progressive swelling from whatever source for that matter) can cause rapid airway compression. Not good. The position of the trachea in snakes may give a bit of advantage, but, yeah....take to vet ASAP. Let us know what you find out and best of luck.

Tracy33 · 10-01-13, 04:51 PM

Hi guys , thanks so much for your replies . After I posted this , I had to wait a few hours for the opening hours at the vet . When I got him to the local vet , the swelling was not so balloon like . The vet asked me when he last eat , I said a few weeks ago . I said the only thing I could think of that was different , was the fact he's been going in his water tank lately , he has never bothered before . So a swab was taken , and I have got to put some probiotics in his water every day . The vet wants me to feed him tomorrow , to see how he reacts ( what do you think? ) I am to phone and let them know how the feed went . So far the swelling is not so bad , but it is soft when you touch it , and he doesn't seem to mind . If it gets worse , the local vet will get in touch with a specialist vet . So sorry I am none the wiser just now , but I will keep you posted .

Terranaut · 10-01-13, 05:56 PM

I think yoir swabs will come back to show a bacterial infection of some sort. Throat rot. It happens and is treatable. Hopefully not an injury.

Starbuck · 10-01-13, 05:58 PM

in line with what MDT suggested about the airway instruction, i would feed something on the smaller end of what he is eating (if he eats med rats, feed a med rat on the lighter end of the spectrum). What does the vet think observing him eat will accomplish?

in cows (sorry lol, idk about snakes), swelling and edema under the jaw can indicate heart issues. Did the vet listen to your snakes heart using a doppler, and observe his repsirations? It can be difficult in snakes, but you should sit quietly in the room where his viv is and see if you can get a respiration count while he is calm (not being handled, bothered, etc), or if his breathing seems labored etc

Starbuck · 10-01-13, 06:01 PM

In reptiles, abscesses are TYPICALLY (not always) very caseous, hard masses. OP described the swelling as soft and fluid-like?

Did the vet take a needle aspirate in order to test the mass, or was it simply a swab of the oral cavity? If just swabbed the mouth, of course i wouldnt be surprised if it comes back as bacterial, but that is unlikely to tell you anything about the lump itself...
Best of luck, glad you were able to get him into a vet.

Keep taking photos daily/as you notice a change, it will be good to document any changes in the lump.

Tracy33 · 10-02-13, 08:23 AM

Thanks for all your help . I will feed him tonight , the thing is though , I have just checked the inside of his mouth , and his throat is black , each side is swollen (inside) . Outside the swelling has gone down , although you can feel two smaller lumps . I have just phoned the vets .