1. This is a difficult question to ask but what is the humane way to kill a snake. A boa of mine has been a problem from the beginning.
He has had problems? Or he has “been a problem to you”? I don’t mean to sound harsh, but there is quite a different mindset between those two phrases. If you are looking at him as a problem to you, then your decision to put him down may be premature. Keep in mind, I did say may. Sometimes, they are too far gone to recover, but with persistent effort, sometimes not. If your mindset is that he is a problem to you, then you may have “written him off” when he could actually be revived.
2. He refuses to feed and is always sick as a result. He has lost a great deal of weight
There are numerous tried and true methods for getting problem feeders to finally feed, how many ways have you tried. If you haven’t tried the “tricks of the trade”, then you haven’t given him every chance to start feeding and recover. I personally do not know if you have or haven’t, but if not, I wouldn’t give up quite yet. I have seen snakes get to the point of needing force-fed, a definite last resort, and pull through. Once getting their strength built up and environmental conditions tweaked, they ended up fine and normal feeders. This is not always the case, but you can’t know if you haven’t tried.
When I took him to the vet I was told he was ok he just wasn't a big feeder.
He has cost me more money than he is worth and ut would be unethical for me to sell him and burder someone else with him. He is sick now and I'm not going to take him to the vet only to be charged and told he is ok after he stays at the vet's for a week.
Can you say “incompetent vet?’ Not all vets, by any stretch of the imagination, are competent with herps. You did get a bill: you did not get results. If this were a family member, I imagine you would take them to another doctor (vet in this case) and get a second opinion. Your statement that he has cost you more than he is worth really bothers me. If he were mine, it would cost whatever it cost, because that is what my creatures are “worth”. You say you do not want to go back and be charged for the same results. Well, I agree, that is a worthless expense. Again, go somewhere else! The one poster who said he/she would pay for the shipping and deal with the animal has made an offer that will cost you nothing and it could be that he/she may bring him around. There are also rescuers, experienced herpers who will take them in on occasion, and so on. I may be wrong, and apologize if I am, but it faintly sounds like you have written him off do to the time, energy, and mostly cost of following through to the end. I commend you for taking him to the vet the first time, but sometimes it takes much, much more.
4. I do not want the animal to suffer.
Then for gods’ sake, forget you ever read the post on bashing him in the head with a hammer or something. I understand the concept, but golly bob boy howdy hey geemeny whiz! If you’re a little squeamish, or nervous, or inaccurate, that one could be a mess you will always remember. Incidentally, this is not a jab at AbsoluteApril, who doesn’t personally recommend it her self, but just the idea itself. Sometimes when a vet injects the heart with the killing agent, they will miss the area my just a small amount or not have quite the right amount and the snake convulses and ends up with another shot. This is just a possibility. If I had to have it done, I would leave just in case. Fast Freezing in a deep freeze at the coldest of temps will be my method of choice if it ever comes to putting one down. No, that one isn’t perfect either, but after talking with several experienced herpers and vets about the pros and cons of each, this would be my choice.
4. WHat should I do any advice is appreciated.
Well, right off, sending him to Rose and Steve seems a plausible move. Going to a different vet could be worthwhile. I can tell by the postings, some may feel like this is more a money issue. Reading your post, I sort of read it that way myself. It may be you are just stressed and nothing has worked and you are ready to give up, many of us have been there with sick pets/animals. In the end, please try to give the animal every chance to survive. If there absolutely is no chance as diagnosed by someone experienced, then evaluate the advice given from all, and choose what will be best for the snake and you also. Nothing but best wishes on this. If you can, let us know the outcome. I coincidentally am taking one of mine to the vet today over something I could possibly treat myself, but I want to be sure my animal gets the best of treatment. I'm also just a little short on money at this moment, but it doesn't and CAN'T matter.Chuck.