Post Nova Photos

[guidofatherof5]

I was blessed to have this awesome snake for just over 3 years. Approximately 1.5 years ago she was developing some small lumps along her dorsal stripe. I took her to my Vet. and 3 sample were taken for biopsy. The results were non-malignant melanoma. Approximately 5 months later I noticed the biopsy areas were getting larger. One of the areas grew faster then the others but this didn't interfere with her breeding. After giving birth this year I noticed this one area growing even faster. I felt surgery was out of the question and hoped the growth would slow down and allow her at least one more breeding year.
A few days ago I went into her enclosure to feed her and notice this area had almost doubled in size and to make things worse Nova looked like she had lost significant weight. Making matter worse was the fact she was now off food. It was then I decided to put her down as this wasn't going to get any better. Today, I purchased 1.2 pounds of dry ice and euthanized her.

I feel she would have lived much longer if I hadn't gotten biopsies done. I should have left well enough alone and let nature take it course. I feel I caused this melanoma to accelerate shortening her life.
I will no longer have biopsies done on my snakes since there really isn't anything that can be done if it is malignant. I could side on the fact of at least knowing what I'm dealing with but that information isn't worth the shorter life to my snakes. I had a similar situation occur with my snake Boomerang. Shortly after having the biopsy done the growth became much larger forcing me to put her down.
I don't know if there is a medical term for what happened to these snakes but sometimes it might be better to not mess with things.
Just my opinion.



http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//743/medium/post_nova_4.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//743/medium/post_nova.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//743/medium/post_nova_3.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//743/medium/post_nova1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//743/medium/post_nova2.jpg

[twgrosmick]

Wow Steve. That is worse than I pictured it when you were describing it too me. Sorry for your loss

[Light of Dae]

So ugly on such a beautiful snake...

You cannot blame yourself Steve. No one here will blame you either.

I do believe though that once open air is allowed to touch cancer it becomes a wildfire that cannot be calmed... This is what the inside of my dads lungs n brain must look like... His cancer is getting worse n worse since the surgeries.. Its just so.. terrible. So ugly... :(

[SilasBannook]

Steve,
Sooo sorry. That must have crushed you to watched Nova go through that. Thank you for sharing. Having seen that as a possibility for garters I know I will keep this in mind if anyone suggests biopsies for them in the future.

You still have the coolest place around for garters. I can't imagine anyone questioning your care for your snakes. Again, sorry for your loss.

[Lisa4john]

I'm so sorry for your loss, and to watch her go down hill must have been heartbreaking. She is well and happy again. I believe we will see our beloved pets again. God be with you.

[katach]

I'm so sorry Steve. You can't blame yourself, you do so much and love your little ones so much. My heart goes out to you for your loss.

[Stefan-A]

Sorry for your loss. I doubt the biopsies were to blame, though.

[indigoman]

My thoughts are with you Steve.

[taharial]

Aw, so sorry for your loss! It is so amazing what they can endure, and it is good to know she was in your care with the best of everything. <3

[snake man]

I am sorry for what you had to go through.

[Selkielass]

Poor thing, im so sorry it went so crazy, whatever the reason.
I sincerely hope such growths aren't related to her lovely red coloration- I want her descendants to live long, healthy lives.

[ProXimuS]

I'm very sorry to see the extent her condition had gotten to. I know she was a special girl, and you did what you couldto help her.

[chris-uk]

Sorry that she didn't have a little longer with you, but seeing the photos it's clear that you had no choice.
Cancer cells can be contained in a capsule which prevents their spread to a point, however a needle biopsy of the tumour shouldn't cause the cancer to grow more aggressively. I really think that the disease would have progressed the same way with or without the biopsy.
I wouldn't rules out future tests if they could make a difference to the treatment options.

Once again sorry for your loss.

[Invisible Snake]

Sorry for your loss Steve :(

Thank you for sharing these pictures it was definitely educational for me.

[kueluck]

Always sad to see one pass on. Sorry to read about this Steve, but know that this may help others and their snake buddies in the future.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry that she didn't have a little longer with you, but seeing the photos it's clear that you had no choice.
Cancer cells can be contained in a capsule which prevents their spread to a point, however a needle biopsy of the tumour shouldn't cause the cancer to grow more aggressively. I really think that the disease would have progressed the same way with or without the biopsy.
I wouldn't rules out future tests if they could make a difference to the treatment options.


Once again sorry for your loss.


This was more then a needle biopsy. I still think there is something to disturbing the cells.
It I understand correctly the body will try to wall off the cancer cells basically building barriers of defense. Knocking down a wall simple lets the cancer spread more readily.
I know this is a somewhat simplistic explanation of a very complex process and I don't want to come off as having all the answers.
I am in the dark as to what really happened to my Nova.

[mikem]

Sorry for your loss :(