Lump on my python

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djbekz

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Hey,

I've recently noticed my 2 yr old python has a lump around the heart area which I first observed after he went up a significant size in food about two weeks ago.

After four or so days I took him out and had a closer look and you could see his heart beating at the bottom of the bump quite dramatically and feel it as you ran you hand over. It has a soft feel to it and doesn't seem to cause him any discomfort.

I did some reading and found some articles around heart enlargement when pythons feed and a bunch of posts about tumors or heart defects. I thought it best to give it a little bit of time to see if there was any change but it's still there as per the photos below taken tonight.

I haven't observed any difference in behaviour and he seems quite active and inquisitive as normal. At this point I'm thinking of booking him in to see a vet but thought I'd post something up to see if this is a common occurrence with carpet pythons? I also wanted to ask if anyone had any recommendations for a knowledgeable vet in Brisbane (I'm living on the south side just out of the city); it would be greatly appreciated.


IMG_0854.jpgIMG_0853.jpg

Thanks,
Dylan
 
I would recommend Dr Joshua Llinas from Green Cross Vets in Jindalee. It looks to be in the heart region as you said so I would say to take him for a visit!
 
hope he gets better, with a tumor do they have to cut the snake open to remove it?
 
Thanks for the info - will see and let you guys know what it is.
 
Not many organs in that area. There is the thyroid which sits just in front of the heart. Definitely a vet visit for some diagnostics. There are two avain exotic specialists in SEQLD. univeristy of qld small animal hospital and brisbane bird and exotics. Both very good
 
Hi Dylan, Brisbane Birds and Exotics in Macgregor are excellent.
I have taken my GTP there previously and I recommend them, very professional!!
Keep us posted.
 
I can save you the Vet fees Dylan. A swelling in that location in a Carpet or Diamond python , especially at that age and with those features [ palpable beat ] is always going to be a cardiac enlargement. A normal heart is fairly hard to locate , even with a stethoscope Only other possibility is an intra-coelemic abscess but that is highly unlikely. The fact that your snake seems OK means that it is in the early stages of the problem and is compensating. The heart enlargement is due to the thickening of the heart muscle and makes up for its underlying inefficiency. There is no treatment for this condition and the prognosis is very poor long term. Unfortunately , this problem has become far more common in recent years. As the condition progresses , the affected snake becomes more lethargic , inappetant and loses condition. How long this takes depends on the severity of the condition and every case is different. The snake may last another year or two but deteriorates quickly once it reaches a critical point. Sorry to hear that your snake is affected but it is NOT husbandry related.
 
Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I went and saw a vet at Brisbane Birds and Exotics who took some blood samples and did an ultrasound.

The diagnosis was along the same lines as you mentioned bunny. Best case scenario would be an abscess somewhere down the line causing a swelling. Worst case would be cardiac disease with no cure. Unfortunately their ultrasound is not detailed enough to tell.

They mentioned I could see a proper veterinary cardiologist who would be able to identify exactly what is happening. The downside is this sounds like it will cost hundreds of dollars. I get the blood test results on Friday so I'll see if there is anything there.

Either way it seems like bad news for him :\
 
Save your money Dylan. I`ve seen quite a few of these in the last few years. Palpable beat over a swelling in that position is diagnostic for heart disease. The bloods will be unremarkable I can guarantee. Easiest way to confirm is to do needle aspirate into the swelling. Withdraw blood = heart. You really don`t have to go that far to diagnose these cases. I know they are just being thorough but , look out , you`re in danger of being over-serviced. Who bred the snake ? I bet others in the clutch will be affected. Shouldn`t be breeding those 2 snakes together again but you don`t know if it`s derived from the male or female. Prognosis either way is depressing.
 
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