Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We are not sure if this is a birth defect, or did the snake have a problem absorbing the yolk sac causing infection. It sure looks like a defect to me, but we are relatively new to this.

The snake is very active and acts normal. We are agonizing over the decision to euthanize.

Thanx for any input.

Matt

I don't mean to be callous, but if that was in my racks, I would freeze it before it suffers any longer.

Just my $.02...sorry about that.
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Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742

...and not likely to have a normal life. I recommend putting it down.

-Kat
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This Space For Rent

Looks like a deformity to me.. i am sorry to say that that snake needs to be put down..

one of its siblings. What a shame, there must have been a problem with these from the get go. They came out of the same conditions as 25 eggs from another female that all turned out big and healthy. Out of ten eggs initially in this clutch, only one baby survived. One had the majority of its body fused together, which was immediately euthanized too.

Thanx for all the input.

Matt and Lisa

Sorry to hear of all your hatchlings' troubles. That would be very hard.

I was curious why everyone thought the snake should be put down? I'm assuming it was placental tissue emerging from the deformed region. Can a vet not treat something like that? If so, and if the animal was active and behaving normally, why not give it a chance? Assuming that it could eat and defecate without problems, it could make a very nice pet. Granted it would not move normally, but so what? A vet might even have been able to cut the fused tissue to restore range of motion, like when babies are born with two fused fingers and the "webbing" is cut to separate them.

I might get yelled at for having suggested any of this, but a snake behaving normally doesn't sound like it's in very much pain, although it would have to be closely watched for any signs to the contrary. Why not take an animal like that to the vet to see if she/he thinks they can heal the exposed tissue and go from there? Is it purely cost, or hassle, or has experience told people that these snakes never make it no matter what is done?

You make some good points.

It is horrible to have to kill snakes that you made. I really think I did the right thing in this case, but that's just my opinion. I certainly respect yours too though.

Matt

I'm sure you did the right thing for both you and the snake. I was just surprised that everyone immediately recommended putting it down without any mention of other possibilities.

Maybe it's just because I'm an engineer, trained to find and analyze multiple solutions to every problem I encounter. lol

I certainly respect everyone's opinion, though.

Kimberly