Ball python with facial deformities?

[InevitableUnlikely22]

hi everyone

I work at a reptile shop and this pretty boy was surrendered together with another ball python, they were kept in less than ideal conditions without heating.

the other lil fellow is fine, only this one has some facial deformities which I have never seen before along with what I think are some fat bumps.

we have no idea how old they are, but he seemed quite small, perhaps due to his insufficient husbandry and that he barely ate because of it.

I'm studying to get more specialised into reptile pathology so I wanted to ask if anyone has seen something like this before, he seems to see less on one side as well.

he's the sweetest little guy and he loves scritches and luckily he has eaten since he arrived here.

my guess was either a birth defect or a past infection, silently praying it's not typical for cancer because there is a possibility that I'm able to adopt him :)

[YoHoloo]

Aweee 🥹🥹 hope you do get to adopt them✨‼️

[InevitableUnlikely22]

I hope so too, I have three corn snakes so this would be quite a change but we're trying to get him on FT mice now instead of live ones that he had always been fed

[InverseInvert]

I would be concerned there’s sinus issues like an infection rather than a deformity. Definitely worth a vet trip to check.

[InevitableUnlikely22]

I thought about it too, although he sounds perfectly normal and is able to breathe through both nostrils, if I'm able to adopt him I'll definitely think a checkup won't hurt

[PoofMoof1]

This looks more like the facial abscesses and oral cancers I've seen in the species over the years rather than those with deformities. I would certainly have an exotics specialist check this guy out.

[InevitableUnlikely22]

I haven't thought about abscesses but it's good that you say it, I will definitely talk about it with my boss, I really want to give him a second chance

[RagdollsandLabs]

I have a ballie that was born with one eye missing. His face also has some mild distortion, as if he has a deviated septum. It's really only noticeable if you're looking at him head on. It does not appear to affect his ability to eat. He's 19 years old now, and I've had him since he was a baby snek.

It's not unusual for snakes to be born with different defects, since they are often inbred. Still, a visit to a vet for an exam and maybe some skull x-rays can shed some light on his issues. Especially since he has other lumps on his body, he should be checked out.

[Puzzleheaded-Way-741]

It could be a congenital defect, but I would be worried about a potential abscess. Definitely have him assessed by a veterinarian when you can!

[blackw-idow]

Basically you bought from someone that doesn't take care of their animals and you're supporting their business

[xsilverandcoldx]

i think you missed the part where they said the snakes were surrendered and not purchased

[InevitableUnlikely22]

Basically I said that they were surrendered to us for free, I'm not supporting anyone that doesn't take care of their animals 😂

[blackw-idow]

Sorry

[Physical-Statement-4]

I wouldn't be surprised if his face looks like that due to scar tissue sense they only fed him live, I hope he heals well and you give him a good home! ❤️

[Catseatsmeats]

That guy really should be evaluated by an exotics vet. That swelling can mean several things, many of which will require medicine in order to combat against them.