Abscesses

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Abscesses are a common form of bacterial infection in snakes.

They can be external and/or internal in location.  External

abscesses most often result from bite wounds (usually inflicted

by live prey animals) and other injuries (especially puncture

wounds) to the skin.  Internal abscesses may be located within

one or more organs and/or within the body cavity.



Snakes rarely produce liquid pus.  Instead, their pus is

generally cheesy in consistency.  This makes treatment with

antibiotics difficult because these drugs cannot penetrate this

relatively solid material.  External abscesses can be surgically

opened and flushed by a veterinarian.  A specimen of pus can be

submitted to a laboratory for bacterial culture and antibiotic

sensitivity testing.  The snake can be treated with the

appropriate antibiotic by injection, and the abscess cavity

treated with topical antibiotics.



Abscesses within the body are not equally accessible for

treatment.  A blood work-up and/or radiographs (x-rays) may be

necessary to confirm their presence.  Though surgery may be

necessary under certain circumstances, long-term antibiotic

therapy by injection and appropriate supportive care are the

treatment most likely to be employed by the veterinarian.