COLONIC ADENOCARCINOMA IN A CORN SNAKE (ELAPHE-GUTTATA-GUTTATA)

Colonic adenocarcinoma was diagnosed by surgical biopsy in a domestica lly raised 3-yr-old male corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata). The snak e presented with a history of constipation. Several masses were palpat ed in the distal coelomic cavity. On proctoscopy, a nodular firm white mass encircled the distal colon proximal to the cloaca. The histologi c diagnosis was transmural mucinous colonic adenocarcinoma with scirrh ous reaction. Resection of the affected region alleviated intestinal o bstruction for at least 4 mo, after which the snake was lost to follow -up.