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Reticulated Python Colon Surgery

bcr229

bcr229

Snakes Are Cool
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Two days ago one of our reticulated python females had to have surgery for an obstructed colon. We took her to Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services (SEAVS) in Fairfax, VA last week after the area about 12" in front of her vet became hard and she felt like she had swallowed a tennis ball. Initially the vet thought she was just constipated, but exercise and massaging the area failed to improve her condition so we authorized surgery. What was found surprised all of us; left untreated she would have died, as she had an infection in her colon wall that was blocking anything from passing. That portion of the colon was removed and the healthy ends were stitched back together.

I've created a photobucket storybook with comments on each picture from the surgery at:
http://s477.photobucket.com/user/efillc/library/Snakes/Retics/Nova%20Surgery

Nova will be at the vet for a few weeks for post-op. She will also need to be tube fed carnivore care for several months while her colon heals, and she's on antibiotic shots for a while as well.
 
Test Results

Update: the histopathology results are in. No worries about cancer or an infectious disease like crypto. In layman's terms Nova had something called Pseudomembranous Colitis. How she got it is a complete mystery. Fortunately her prognosis at this time looks great.
 
Update: Nova is back to eating small rodents - she had two large mice this week, her first whole prey since the surgery. If she digests and passes them normally then she will be coming home next week.
 
Very heartening to hear some one properly care for there reptile. Many people would have ignored or euthanized. Please keep us updated!
 
bcr229 said:
Nova will be at the vet for a few weeks for post-op. She will also need to be tube fed carnivore care for several months while her colon heals, and she's on antibiotic shots for a while as well.
Click to expand...

Not having dealt with surgery on reptiles before - was there any talk of or use of pain management during the days/week post-surgery? Not sure if there's even any painkillers approved for use on reptiles, honestly. Just curious.

Anyways, she's beautiful - here's hoping she continues to heal well.
 
Interesting seeing the photo bucket story book.
Kudos for getting her the care she needed!
Am glad to see that all went well and that she has come far along in her recovery.:)
 
While I know she was on some sort of pain medications I don't know exactly what she was being given. I will ask.
 
Hopefully it isn't a bother, but thanks!

I just wondered since I've heard of some (generally older) vets that didn't seem to think post-operative pain management was needed if the animal wasn't big and furry...and sometimes even then. Good to know she was treated right. :)
 
No worries. My vet and I are actually Facebook friends so I just got the answer.

Nova got tramadol and meloxicam for pain. I guess they made her feel pretty good b/c her attitude changed overnight from witch-with-a-B to sweet as pie.
 
WELL FINALLY SHE POOPED!!! It took a few weeks and some more small meals of 3-4 large/jumbo mice per feeding. I guess a retic doesn't leave a lot of "waste" when fed mice.

As an FYI her pre-surgery weight was 2.6 kg, she dropped down to 1.8 kg before she started eating, and now she's just under 2 kg now.
 
NOVA IS FINALLY HOME!!! And since she ate last week the vet said she could have three mice this week, and every five days for the next two months. Her attitude couldn't be better and she settled right in to her enclosure.

Watching a retic eat mice is rather ridiculous - think popcorn chicken. :D
 
Helenthereef said:
All great news - and some entertainment value by the sound of it :thumbsup: :D
Click to expand...
Ha, yes it was. Anyway, a few days ago she had a final checkup just to make sure there's no leakage and everything looks great. Over the next few weeks I can build her up to normal sized feeders.
 
She is doing very well. She's still smaller than her sister but is catching up quickly, and eats a f/t large rat or 1/2# rabbit every 7-10 days.

She does have issues shedding around her surgical scar. We have to soak that area with a damp, moist towel and carefully remove the shed each time. Otherwise it tends to build up.

She's also gotten a lot more "social" and interactive. Supposedly personality isn't heritable, but she and her sister could be twins in looks and attitude.
 
Wow, that was a really interesting album. Props to whoever took the photos, you don't see that everyday. Poor girl with that icky stuff in her colon. Does the vet have any ideas how she could have gotten the colitis? Really glad she's doing better, and thanks for sharing her story :)
 
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