Infiltrative Lipoma in a Corn Snake, Elaphe guttata guttata

Abstract

Elaphe guttata guttata, presented with a six week history of anorexia and a lateralized soft tissue mass in the caudal 1/3 of the snake. Due to the obstipation caused by the mass, excisional biopsy was performed and the mass submitted for microscopic evaluation. Histopathology revealed an infiltra tive lipoma. The snake was later euthanized due to necrosis and dehiscence at the surgical site, a spinal fracture unrelated to the mass, and cardiac tamponade. K e y W o r d s : c o m snake, Elaphe guttata guttata, in filtrativ e lip o m a, neo p lasia.

What is your diagnosis? Multiple masses in a Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

“…A single retrospective study of these tumors in snakes reported that soft tissue sarcomas, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinomas were the most common tumors in colubrid snakes, the family that includes corn snakes . In contrast with mammals, lipomas are rarely reported in snakes, though they are overrepresented in corn snakes …”

“…These lesions can be treated with surgical excision, which is occasionally followed by radiation. In snakes, removing the standard “one to three centimeters” margins can be difficult, and fatal complications have been reported after surgical removal of infiltrative lipomas . The owner opted out of surgical treatment due to the age of the snake, the slow tumor growth, and the absence of clinical signs.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a corn snake with infiltrative lipomas diagnosed by cytology and CT. In snakes, infiltrative lipomas have been diagnosed at necropsy or after surgery . The minimally invasive procedures used in this study, not only allowed an antemortem diagnosis but also helped to decide if a debulking surgery should be pursued.…”

Circulating siderophagocytes and erythrophagocytes in a corn snake (Elaphe guttata) after coelomic surgery

“…To our knowledge, this is the first report of circulating siderophagocytes in blood from a reptile after surgery. Several previously published reports of surgery on snakes have not included hematologic results 2–6 …”

“…Several previously published reports of surgery on snakes have not included hematologic results. [2][3][4][5][6] Although circulating siderophagocytic neutrophils or monocytes (sideroleukocytes) are seen infrequently in mammals with hemolytic anemia, 7,8 no evidence of hemolysis was found in this snake. The siderophagocytes were seen transiently during uncomplicated recovery from surgery, during which time the PCV remained relatively stable.…”