What's up with this snake?

[KaylinCoo]

Hey everyone... got a question for you. We got a snake in at the shelter yesterday and he's got something wrong. He's a boa, not sure how old or anything about his living conditions... whoever took him in didn't ask anything (we're not the most reptile savvy place, and honestly it kills me whenever we take in any herps) but that's not the point. Here's the problem, he has this big bump on the top of his head, right over his left eye. He has something right behind his eye, looks like a scab like maybe he busted it on something and there's a big bubble that looks something like maybe there's fluid or something filling up there? He kinda looks like one of those long neck dinosaurs. He looks like he's in good condition otherwise and a well tempered snake. They're going to have the vets look at him - although these vets are cat/dog vets, not herp vets. I'm sure they wouldn't spend the money to take him to another vet and if it's not something easily fixable then they'll probably humanely euthanize him. Now, I told them that if I got some opinions and it's something that maybe you guys think would get better on antibiotics - like maybe it's just an infection? - that I would take him, take him to the vet and keep him. However, I'm just graduating college and definitely not made of money. As it is I've spend hundreds of dollars on vet bills for my dog (the most accidental animal in the WORLD) and I'm sure there's more to come. As much as I'd like to say I can afford another "vet-bound" animal I can't. Just let me know what you guys think, or if you've ever had an infection like this before. It really looks like maybe he hit or cut his head on something and now it's swelling with infection... does this sound like a possibility? Any input or experience is great... I'll try to get pics of it if I get a chance, but I need to get a hold of a camera.

The facts... Adult boa, looks like a hogg or a hogg x
Not sure of previous living conditions, right now:
he's in a large rubbermaid, a little small for him, but that's all they have right now. Temps are about 89-90 on the warm side, 85-87 on the cool. He's got one hide, a large water bowl and he's on just newspaper for now, until we figure out what's going on.

Thank you!

[Adrya]

Sounds like he was fed live prey and the prey has bitten his head... so now he's got infection building up in there.

Infections in reptiles where there is pus usually is a solid mass that must be surgically removed. I wouldn't euthanize him just yet.... find a vet that works with herps. I wouldn't trust dog/cat vets with reptiles.

Can you post some pictures of him?

[BWSmith]

Infected bite injury from live prey.

[HARTSOCK]

Originally Posted by Adrya_Webb

Sounds like he was fed live prey and the prey has bitten his head... so now he's got infection building up in there.
Infections in reptiles where there is pus usually is a solid mass that must be surgically removed. I wouldn't euthanize him just yet.... find a vet that works with herps. I wouldn't trust dog/cat vets with reptiles.
Can you post some pictures of him?

Yep, I would agree with Adrya ---- sounds like the infected bite and it is going to need to be cut out and then antibotics. It may take a few times for it to be completely gone. But if you look on here there are many snakes --- Chance, Boo, etc --- that have been injured by bites and gotten infections of this sort and have pulled through, but it shouldn't be left go for very long. The long it has to get worse, the longer it is going to take to heal, and the more expensive it is going to be.

[TammyJamaica]

Stop worrying about the money, fall in love with this snake, take him to a good herp vet and keep him for yourself.

Best of luck!

[Stargazer]

It is sad that the shelter would take him in but wouldn't go to the trouble of fixing an abcess like they would with a dog or cat. Maybe you can convince them! Also, I think there are a few other people on this site who live out your way who might be able to help but I can't remember who they are. Does anyone know who she could maybe send a private message to?I would hate or this snake to be euthanized when it can be helped.

[Ursa Minor]

I agree with Stargazer. It's a shame, but I'm not shocked. The shelters around me aren't savvy either, us herpers around here do our best. But a tame Boa isn't someone that should be put down because of a simple surgery. I hope it works out and someone can give it a good home around there. Good luck!

[Gurl]

jeez, it really is sad to see a shelter take in an animal and not want to fix the problem properly, esp when its not a huge problem... i agree with everyone who posted it def. sounds like a live prey bite that got infected. i think u might want to try to get them to see a herp vet.. a cat/dog vet i wouldnt think would be able to do much unless they were properly trained in a reptile course.... but even then, for a surgery to remove the puss, just taking a course may not be enough. i really wish i could help!! i hope someone comes to the little guys rescue! at least u did what u could