ABSTRACT

A common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, was presented for coelomic swelling. Exploratory surgery revealed an irregular, lobulated mass approximately 1.75 cm in diameter that was subsequently diagnosed histologically as a teratoma. Teratomata have previously been diagnosed in a variety of species including primates, equines, canines, felines, rodents, birds, amphibians and reptiles. However, teratomata in reptiles have been previously diagnosed only in green iguana, Iguana iguana, and the desert grassland whiptail, Cnemidophorus uniparens. This case report documents the first teratoma diagnosed in a garter snake. Following surgical removal of the neoplasm, the snake made a complete, uneventful recovery.