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My 7-year-old ball python that weighs 14lbs just swallowed the cat.

I wouldn't mind too much...except that I was petting the cat when the snake swallowed it.

Anyway, the snake is now trying to swallow my arm...and is almost up to my armpit. Luckily, it is my left arm and I am right-handed...so I can type this post.

I read somewhere that alcohol is very effective at getting a snake to release its grip on you. I tried a bottle of whiskey...but without success. I am now considerably more drunk than I was before I drank the whiskey...but the snake is still trying to swallow me.

I also read that swatting them on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper would get them to let go. I was going to try this...but was not really sure if ball pythons have noses. I mean...they don't smell, do they? (Other than when they take a big dump...ha, ha ).

Anyway, here's my question: Today is Thursday. My snake has (obviously) eaten...and is still eating. I heard that I shouldn't be holding him so soon after he eats. What should I do?

I need help NOW!!!

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice that you can give me.

CALL 911 Fast hurry please, i hope you're not serious!!

>>
>>My 7-year-old ball python that weighs 14lbs just swallowed the cat.
>>
>>I wouldn't mind too much...except that I was petting the cat when the snake swallowed it.
>>
>>Anyway, the snake is now trying to swallow my arm...and is almost up to my armpit. Luckily, it is my left arm and I am right-handed...so I can type this post.
>>
>>I read somewhere that alcohol is very effective at getting a snake to release its grip on you. I tried a bottle of whiskey...but without success. I am now considerably more drunk than I was before I drank the whiskey...but the snake is still trying to swallow me.
>>
>>I also read that swatting them on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper would get them to let go. I was going to try this...but was not really sure if ball pythons have noses. I mean...they don't smell, do they? (Other than when they take a big dump...ha, ha ).
>>
>>Anyway, here's my question: Today is Thursday. My snake has (obviously) eaten...and is still eating. I heard that I shouldn't be holding him so soon after he eats. What should I do?
>>
>>I need help NOW!!!
>>
>>Thanks in advance for any helpful advice that you can give me.
>>
>>
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- Joel Smith

"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"

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sounds like your up the creek with out a paddle.(and arm)LOL
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*John*

Got any pics?...................

...I really can't make the response that I would like to. It would get this thread pulled for certain!!!

How about some advice???

Well, firstly let me congratulate you on your knowledge of ball pythons. Now, I wouldn't worry about your arm, a 14 pound ball who just ate a cat will most likely not be hungry enough to eat you entirely. What I would begin with is that bottle of whiskey; drink what is left, as what is to follow, may be less painful if you are semi-conscious. I want you to pull out a penknife if you have one, if not, use a sharp piece of paper. Try to pull as much of your left arm out of the snake, slowly so not to make him regurgitate. That can be very stressful. Try to get enough of your arm out to leave a stump so that a prosthetic doesn't have to sit on your shoulder (more expensive). Remove your arm below the shoulder with said penknife or paper. Luckily left arms are fairly useless. Now lay your snake down as not to disturb the rest of his meal. Allow him to finish, while you suture your stump. DON'T!! I repeat DON'T get your blood on the snake, only one part per billion can trigger a response in them similar to sharks in the ocean. Back away, make eye contact, chest puffed, to show them that you are not scared. They can sense these things. If you had a ring on your wedding finger, the snake should poop anywhere around a week or so later. Now, because you shouldn't move the snake, without picking him up, lure him into a large room in your house. In this room, you should have another snake (burm, ball, etc.) for company. Ball pythons are VERY social. In this room you should also have a heat lamp. Try to keep his warm spot at 115 degrees or 75 degrees, nothing in between, as this will aide in his digestion. If you can, also place a sandbox in the room, so that the snake can use it as a litter box. Good luck, and sorry about your arm, at least you asked for help the first time this happened, and not the second.

>>Well, firstly let me congratulate you on your knowledge of ball pythons. Now, I wouldn't worry about your arm, a 14 pound ball who just ate a cat will most likely not be hungry enough to eat you entirely. What I would begin with is that bottle of whiskey; drink what is left, as what is to follow, may be less painful if you are semi-conscious. I want you to pull out a penknife if you have one, if not, use a sharp piece of paper. Try to pull as much of your left arm out of the snake, slowly so not to make him regurgitate. That can be very stressful. Try to get enough of your arm out to leave a stump so that a prosthetic doesn't have to sit on your shoulder (more expensive). Remove your arm below the shoulder with said penknife or paper. Luckily left arms are fairly useless. Now lay your snake down as not to disturb the rest of his meal. Allow him to finish, while you suture your stump. DON'T!! I repeat DON'T get your blood on the snake, only one part per billion can trigger a response in them similar to sharks in the ocean. Back away, make eye contact, chest puffed, to show them that you are not scared. They can sense these things. If you had a ring on your wedding finger, the snake should poop anywhere around a week or so later. Now, because you shouldn't move the snake, without picking him up, lure him into a large room in your house. In this room, you should have another snake (burm, ball, etc.) for company. Ball pythons are VERY social. In this room you should also have a heat lamp. Try to keep his warm spot at 115 degrees or 75 degrees, nothing in between, as this will aide in his digestion. If you can, also place a sandbox in the room, so that the snake can use it as a litter box. Good luck, and sorry about your arm, at least you asked for help the first time this happened, and not the second.
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- Joel Smith

"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"

Thank you for the excellent advice.

I noticed that you were very sketchy in the details of how I should thread the suture needle. In case you forgot, I only have ONE FREE HAND!!!

Anyway, I did what you said and managed to get Fang off my arm. My mum was a little pi$$ed because I got blood all over her clean sheets, but she was overjoyed to see the look of relief on the cat's face when it emerged to take a dump. (Your idea of placing the litter box nearby was a stroke of genius).

Here's my follow-up question:
Just after hacking my arm off with my mum's electric bread knife, I noticed that Fang has a piece of shed left on his head. Why didn't you tell me what to do about this in your reply???

I read somewhere that stuck-shed is Nature's way of telling you to bathe your snake more often. I normally soak Fang in the bath tub for 6 hours a day...sometimes more. The water temperature is 39 degrees F. I dry him off with Rayon-based face towels. Should I soak him longer??? Would sports socks be better to use when I dry him off???

Also, last time I bathed Fang, I noticed what looks like a billion tiny specks of black pepper floating in the bath tub. When I looked closer, the little bits of pepper have what looks like legs. Is this something that I should be concerned about?

I need help NOW!!!

Thank you.

Wow, this one is easy. If the shed isn't coming off, it's alright to get in there with either some sandpaper (40 grit) or even a belt sander if need be. Bp's are notorious for having thick skin, and this positively will do no harm whatsoever. In the future, to avoid a bad shed, try a little hotter with the water. I would go 41 degrees, and add a little Ajax, the abrasiveness of it will help with the shed.

Your response is one of the funniest things I have read in quite a while.

Thanks for taking the time to put it together!!!

If this is a female, I would like to buy her. I figure she should lay a couple dozen eggs. Would you take $4500?
Thanks

I'd never sell Fang...he is like a sister to me.

Besides, I could never sell him. I would feel like I had lost a small part of me. Come to think of it, I would have lost a small part of me...I never did get all of the arm out.

Friday nights just wouldn't be the same without Fang...cuddling on the sofa...eating popcorn together...watching Stooges reruns.

One other thing...you're not going to catch me with your offers of $4,500. I was looking at Fang while I was sawing my arm off. Fang has 2 white scales on the side of his body. You may think I don't know what I'm talking about, but I sure do know a Piebald when I see one. I looked on Riff Davis' site...he has Piebalds...they sell for $15,000...and they're babies. Sure...they have a little bit more white than Fang...but he's definitely a Piebald.

If I were you I would put the bottle down.....sip sip.
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RicK Denmon

Ball Boutique,Inc.
What are we talking about?

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Hey, it's all in fun...........or is it? Glad I amuse you. Lighthearted is better than evil and rude and stupid.

It is most assuredly all in fun.

"Amuse me"??? Believe me, I'm rolling on the floor over your responses.

On a scale of 1 - 10, I rate your replies a 20.
(20 being very, very good...in case you were wondering ).

This has to be one of the most enjoyable threads I have participated in.

Thank you.

I completely agree with you. This was fun. I would have to agree, your post made me laugh more than I have in a long time. AND there was some great advice thrown in there too!

I would have answered the same thing but he didn't ask me.

I am getting so weak

Exactly how long after you fed the cat, where you holding it. And how old is your cat? Once you brought your cat home for the first time did you refrain from feeding it for 2 weeks so that it could settle in?

I believe the truth is that you didn't feed your cat at all! And therefore your cat, once you tried to handle it for the first time, tried to eat you! You reached into its crate with your arm and the cat, having not been fed for 2 weeks, immediately tried to swallow your arm.

What to do...you thought! Being the intelligent human being that you are, you quickly went to get your trusty 7 year old 14 pound ball python, which you have trained to eat anything on sight (except for Sheppards Pie). You stuck your arm into it's container and WHAM!

Drinking the whiskey (Canadian Club I hope)was only used to help you come up with a decietful yarn to sway us all from the real story! THE TRUTH!

You don't fool me for a minite Nigel! The truth is now known to all.

Shame on you! Next time feed your damn cat!

MJ

By the way...is it an axanthic cat?

and cut off your arm....don't hold him for 2 weeks..then when defecation occurs you may retrieve any rings or bracelets you had lost with that arm...........oh yea......use a big band-aid and a hot skillet to stop the bleeding.........and turn te eat up to 99 degrees so he can digest human bones better........and use 3 -500 watt lights.......

Hey guys can you do me a favor please? after you get your arm back ( well if you do ) can you please send me that animal? I got this tattoo on my arm that I want to get rid of.. Not to mention breed her this season.

Bryan

See ya in Philly!!!!
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