Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to be picking up a retic this week sometime. Not just any 'ol retic, an 11ft tiger retic witha severe neck injury.

The guy just cant afford the time or money to get him fixed up, so he offered him to me. I agreed, I have to help out animals in need

Now.. here is the thing about this retic. What he thinks happened, is while the retic was in with a female she somehow broke his neck. I dunno if it's really broken, but something is seriously wrong with him. Evidence of the picture's below.

Any idea what CAN or SHOULD be done for this poor guy? He's been eating rats, but will no longer eat rabbits since the injury. As long as he's eating.. he should survive, right? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This is a picture of how he layed before the injury.

And this is a picture of how he lays now.

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Randilyn -;,-
Desolate Gray: Reptiles

This does not look like a "neck injury" to me. It looks like he has neurological damage. Possibly IBD. I could be wrong, of course, but I witnesed a large number of cases of this in the 80's with burms, boas and some retics. This head tucking is a classic symptom as they seem to not know what to do with their head. Watch him as he moves. If he demonstrates a lot of uncoordination and confusion in his movements then he may have either neurological damage or IBD. Ask the previous owner if he often kept No-Pest strips in or around his snakes. Me and some of my fellow herpers back in the 80's always suspected that these might cause neurological damage from prolonged exposure. If it is that, he will still likely die eventually as it is incurable and usually worsens with time, but it is not contagious. But if this is IBD I understand that it is HIGHLY contagious, and I wouldn't put that guy ANYWHERE near your other snakes if I were you. It just isn't worth the risk.

>>I'm going to be picking up a retic this week sometime. Not just any 'ol retic, an 11ft tiger retic witha severe neck injury.
>>
>>The guy just cant afford the time or money to get him fixed up, so he offered him to me. I agreed, I have to help out animals in need
>>
>>Now.. here is the thing about this retic. What he thinks happened, is while the retic was in with a female she somehow broke his neck. I dunno if it's really broken, but something is seriously wrong with him. Evidence of the picture's below.
>>
>>Any idea what CAN or SHOULD be done for this poor guy? He's been eating rats, but will no longer eat rabbits since the injury. As long as he's eating.. he should survive, right? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>>
>>This is a picture of how he layed before the injury.
>>
>>
>>And this is a picture of how he lays now.
>>
>>-----
>>Randilyn -;,-
>>Desolate Gray: Reptiles
>>
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The fastest way to achieve great wealth is by living more poorly for much longer.

After much consideration.. I'm not getting the retic. As much as I was wanting him, beautiful and all, I don't think I can afford the vet bills that may come with him, and definetly wouldn't want to take in a snake that could possibly have a deadly virus.

Thanks for your help though
-----
Randilyn -;,-
Desolate Gray: Reptiles

That is the smart choice. Besides, there is nothing a vet can do for either of those ailments, I believe, so that is a moot point. If you are set on getting a beautiful tiger I can maybe swing one your way next April. Write me.

>>After much consideration.. I'm not getting the retic. As much as I was wanting him, beautiful and all, I don't think I can afford the vet bills that may come with him, and definetly wouldn't want to take in a snake that could possibly have a deadly virus.
>>
>>Thanks for your help though
>>-----
>>Randilyn -;,-
>>Desolate Gray: Reptiles
>>
-----
The fastest way to achieve great wealth is by living more poorly for much longer.