Ophidian Cloacal Scent Gland Impaction and Surgical Excision: A Case Series in Six Different Snake Species
Members of the suborder Serpentes possess paired scent glands located caudal to the vent. In this retrospective case series (n = 6), four colubrids, a boid, and a viperid presented with cloacal scent gland impaction. The colubrids were greater than 17 yr old, had both glands initially or eventually affected (4/4, 100%), and most (3/4, 75%) were females. The python (Python regius)was a 10 yr old male, and the viper (Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster) was of undetermined age and male. In the non-colubrid snakes, gland impaction was unilateral. Infection (4/6, 66.7%), mineralization (1/6, 16.7%), and neoplasia (1/6, 16.7%; fibrosarcoma) were associated with the gland impactions in the colubrids and python; a colubrid with neoplasia also had a concurrent bacterial infection and the cause of impaction was not determined in the viper (1/6, 16.7%). Medical management was attempted in 1/6 (16.7%) of the cases but was unsuccessful. Overall, complete surgical excision was realized in 9 of 10 (90%) affected glands. Postoperative infection of the surgery site was encountered in two (33.3%) snakes. The colubrids died 6 wk to 5 yr postoperatively of causes unrelated to the surgery. No complications occurred in a 5 yr follow-up of the viper, whereas an impaction recurred in association with residual glandular tissue and had to be surgically removed in the python 2 yr after surgery. Interspecific differences, age, husbandry, and concomitant pathological processes are suggested to be potential predisposing factors to developing a cloacal scent gland impaction, but additional cases supported by a thorough husbandry and medical history are needed to better delineate these possible associations.Abstract
Swelling noted caudal to the cloaca (arrow) in a Taiwan beauty snake (Orthriophis taeniura freese): lateral (A) and ventral (B) views. On the ventral view, note the distortion of the cloaca on the right side. Bacterial adenitis associated with impacted luminal contents was noted bilaterally. A fibrosarcoma caused a displacement of the right cloacal scent gland cranially to the cloaca in this case.
Anatomical details of cloacal scent glands. (A) In expressible glands, the opening of the excretory duct is easily located on the lateral margins of the proctodeum near the cloacal orifice (black arrow) in this female boa constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). The medial opening of the cloacal recess is indicated (white arrowhead). (B) Marked difference in the size between female (left) and male (right) cloacal scent glands in boa constrictors. The glands have been filled with synthetic resin for a better delineation. (C) Shape and orientation of the cloacal scent gland and the excretory duct are outlined in a male boa constrictor carcass. The incised hemipenal recess is indicated (black arrowhead).
Surgical details of scent gland excision in a female boa constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator) anatomical specimen. (A) After skin and superficial muscle are incised, a probe is inserted into the cloacal recess for a better delineation. (B) Once the circumferential muscles surrounding the gland are incised, the body of the gland is freed from any attachments. (C) The excretory duct is exteriorized. (D) Duct ligation should be done as close as possible to the proctodeum to remove all glandular tissue.
(A) Single excised gland from the male ball python (Python regius) in which clinical impaction was associated with a bacterial adenitis. Note the basophilic, amorphous contents with foci of mineralization and the thickened capsule. (B) Left gland from the female Taiwan beauty snake (Orthriophis taeniura freese) with a thin capsule and impacted eosinophilic lamellar contents. (C) Right gland from the same individual, showing a thickened capsule associated with moderate inflammatory changes and impacted intraluminal contents in the gland. HEPS stain. Bar = 2 mm in all sections.
