Strange lump on my Afrock...

[Geegmasta]

I was handling my Afrock the other day and noticed a strange small lump, about 3'' back from the head.

It seems to be stemming off the vertebrae but one can never know for sure.  It's hard as well.
I have no idea as to what it could be.  He feeds like an afrock (ya know, constantly), his temperament is the same (super friendly) and his activity is normal.  He's not lethargic by any means.

I'm thinking maybe a calcium deposit?  I'm not overly worried as the snake is completely fine...but it's never been there before.  It's just a lump.

Can anyone offer any possible insight?  I may end up making a trip to my vet just to make sure everything is cool...but if I could save the cash I'd like to. 

[Sylvias]

pics are always helpful
there was something on this in the new reptiles mag. could be anything from an absess to cancer so i would go to a vet...

[Aminah Undone]

Any funny lumps or bumps that far away from the "shooter" gets a Vet visit ..and yep, there was something in the latest Reptiles.... I'll go look for it..

The other thing that concerns me is, you said it's near ..or on.. the spine ....and that it just appeared ..which leads me to believe it's a fast growing abnormality ...again, causing concern. Something that grows fast and is in the vicinity of the spine can pose serious ..even fatal ...issue.

I think your cash will be well spent!

Good luck ..and let us know how it goes.... 

[Geegmasta]

Yeah I've read of different cancers a snake can get.  I've never experienced this at all in my years with reptiles...sooo it's all Greek to me at this point haha.

I think a vet trip may be in order because I'm not losing my Afrock...his original breeder passed away in a car accident so the snake has got to live a full life for the guy.

I just don't have tons of cash with school and everything coming up.  And vet trips start to get expensive VERY quick.

[Geegmasta]

Yeah I've read of different cancers a snake can get.  I've never experienced this at all in my years with reptiles...sooo it's all Greek to me at this point haha.

I think a vet trip may be in order because I'm not losing my Afrock...his original breeder passed away in a car accident so the snake has got to live a full life for the guy.

I just don't have tons of cash with school and everything coming up.  And vet trips start to get expensive VERY quick.

Yeah, his climate is always warm so he's never "cooled" where a growth like this would grow slow.  Yeeeeeeps, vet time!

[Aminah Undone]

I totally understand your situation ..my hubby is still in school ...and I take part time classes  ...AND operate a rescue from my home ...so yes, I have full understanding of funds being tight...

...maybe you can talk to your Vet once you're in there for the initial exam ..and just explain the snake's history or your school status. If anyone understands school expense and the love of animals, your Vet does!  

[Geegmasta]

No I will, he is an awesome dude.  And TOTALLY knowledgeable when it comes to herps.  He's the only exotic vet I'd ever consider in this area...ever.  And he's 40 minutes away too.  I recommend everyone to him.  He really knows his jive.  But he has cut me breaks before. 

He always says though, "Why on earth would you ever want *fill in the blank with: Reticulated Python, Burmese Python, African Python, Anaconda*."  Hahah, he's never really met a nice one of those snakes that was large (minus a burmese).  Haha.  And he thought I was crazy bringing a 22lb snapping turtle in that was WC and had pneumonia.  He has no idea...

[Aminah Undone]

I am fortunate to have a very knowledgeable Herp Vet here, as well ..he even sees my rats and chinchilla kids, etc.  .....and he has learned to never be surprised with what ..or whom ...I may have tucked in my shirt ..or in the infamous purple pet taxi   

[Geegmasta]

I am fortunate to have a very knowledgeable Herp Vet here, as well ..he even sees my rats and chinchilla kids, etc.  .....and he has learned to never be surprised with what ..or whom ...I may have tucked in my shirt ..or in the infamous purple pet taxi  

Haha yes!  I always come with the black tub for most smaller snakes.  But one time my big burm got an RI and went in a giant clear bin...that was a hit in the lobby haha.

My vet also sees the mammals too, I think he's the best we have in a 5 hour driving range.  He rocks.

[LadyBloodRose]

haha my vet groans when he hears me come into the office haha. He never knows hwat mammal i might have in hand or how many i ember one time me an my neighbor walked 21 dogs 2 miles to get rabies shots haha least to say his office was FULL.
the other local vet we mainly used for livestock an wild critters they used to do reptiles an stilld o to an extent but their prety much usless as tits on a boar hog when i know more then they do. Aneesa i told you about the whole can;t hear their heart beta or breathing with a sthiscope because of their shell thing haha.
Then my GOOD herp vet who also worksfor the Tn Aquarium is about 2 hours away up ontop of Lookout Moutain in TN, then if i have a major emergency I have to go to The River, which is about the same (2 hours)  thats downtown from the Aquarium.

The one vet that i take livestock to was privy to me bringing in 2 snkes once long time ago I sat in the lobby holding both in the open. Was kinda funny  no one realy freaked an everyone asked questions (@ the time it was a big ball female named baby, an a big rtb named jackel).