Naja naja - strange condition - help

Hi,

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures so I will have to describe the problem I have with one of my naja naja (will post pictures as soon as I can).

I have had him for about two years, he was always a problem snake in that he had to be force fed to start for about 2-3 months. The others were going well long before him. Needless to say he took off and has been eating and growing nicely for the last 1.5 years.

I have a number of snakes and so don't get to personally check on each one that often. Last week, I pulled him out and noticed he has raised bumps all the way down his spine to his tail. These are quite prominent and very hard to the touch.

I don't think they are sists or tumours but perhaps a spinal condition. The last time I had a good look at him was about 3 months ago and there was no sign of any problem.

He is still eating well and is alert, although his movement seems to be impaired. He just stands his ground and hoods.

My concern is the snake, although I am more worried about the fact this may be some sort of contractable disease and therefore the rest of my collection is at risk.

If anyone has experienced this please let me know.

I will get the pictures the weekend and try to get him checked out in the meantime.

Thanks.

The only thing I can think off off the top of my head would be water blisters? Are you keeping his enclosure to wet or does he sit in his water bowl alot?

Thanks John.

He is kept in optimum conditions identical to the other Asian naja and does not spend any significant amount of time in the water.

They are hard to the touch and to be honest it feels like some kind of bone problem. Can snakes develop form of rheumatoid arthritus?

Thanks.
Brett

Brett is it not what is usually referred to as "Crankle back"?

"raised bumps all the way down his spine to his tail. These are quite prominent and very hard to the touch"

It sounds exactly that to me, the only reason Im asking you to confirm is that its not a very rare condition, Ive seen it in quite a few species, although never a Naja before. I wouldve thought you may have seen it before?

If it is, Ive never seen a snake recover from it but from what I know it doesnt kill them either.

Thanks Rob. Yeah, I have seen it before and if I had not had the snake since a juvie I would have said it was that.

What confuses me is that it has taken 1.5 years for it to show - is that possible?

Yeah Ive seen it develop in adult Gopher snakes (Pituophis) and adult cornsnakes before.

Bummer mate Sad

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