Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone every had to do this alone with at 10 ft retic or bigger.

Any techniques that you have either alone or with someone helping to make it eaiser.
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I'd say absolutely do not attempt that on your own. Snakes are sensitive to the pain of getting a shot and you would be putting yourself in danger. Depending on how large the snake is you need enough help to safely control the snake. A person for each 3 feet of snake would not be overkill.

get the animal to crawl into a restraining tube and give shots in the front third of the body in themuscles that run along the sides of the vertebral spinous processes in the middle. a person to help makes it safer and easier so you can use two hands to manipulate syringe

winslow

What kind of restraining tube would you use for a 10' animal?

>>Has anyone every had to do this alone with at 10 ft retic or bigger.
>>
>>Any techniques that you have either alone or with someone helping to make it eaiser.
>>-----
>>0.2 Rotts
>>1.0 Super Tiger
>>1.0 Amel Retic
>>0.1 Ball Python
>>0.1 Red Tail
>>0.1 Blood Python
>>1.0 Green Ananconda
>>1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

I wouldn't attempt this on your own. It took 2 people to hold down my 8' Kaloatoa and one to give her baytril injections. I was amazed that a retic as small as her still has so much muscle power. I agree with one of the other posters... one person for every 3 feet of snake!

I should also mention that retics can be injured quickly when trying to hold them in one place. I've known of a 6' male who twisted his neck trying to get away. The retic ended up having to be put down, the neck injury was so bad.

-C
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http://www.lowergroundreptiles.net/

Thankfully it is rare that it happens, but when it does I use one of two methods. The first is if the snake is one that you know and I mean really know is not aggressive I will straddle the snake as if I were to ride it. Then I give it the injection. For those others I will throw a towel over their head and then give the injection. If the snake is one that is nippy I would obtain help before attempting either method. Its a good thing this has not been a problem for me.

Best of luck.

Jim

Here's a technique came up with after lots of apparently needless struggling with a few 10-12 foot burmese pythons:

Instead of restraining the snake I just let it crawl on the floor and sort of walk along side it and give the injection as it goes. They usually react about as if they are being bitten by an insect but so far I haven't had one react defensively or try to bite.

Retics tend to crawl a lot faster, especially if something spooks them, so this may be impractical. I would certainly have one or two more people in the room.
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Thanks for all the advise. Ya, he is a mover so walking along side would be to hard. However I did find an easy way. I bought a peice of PVC pipe. I let him wrap his tail and bottom third around that on top half then I put his front have over it like he is going over a log, and then hold his head and body. Then the wife gives the injection. This way his tail is grabbing somthing. Foturnatly he is very nice, and has not pooped or tried to bite. I am luck right now.

Thanks again
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa