Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Not to be an ass but,I just wanted to say thank you for everyone that has offered their help on this matter!I thought about the idea of the new boa an gave her one of my male hets which she took in a heartbeat but this did not work either!If school wasnt letting out for summer hear things would be alot easier,I am debating a trip to nashville to find a good vet,Their goes my 100% het female I wanted!But shes worth it!Thanks again to all!Charles![HYPOBOA]

I may have been unsensitive to your plight, in my urge to complain about the spelling on I'net forums, and I wholeheartedly apologize to all I have offended. I need to take a nap. Don't beat me up too bad while I am asleep.
Peace,
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Jeremy J. Anderson
No one in the world ever gets what they want, and that is beautiful. Everybody dies frustrated and sad, and that is beautiful.

np
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com

Dang you SnakePimp now you got me doing it to, your evil is spreading and infecting the rest of us......
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

np
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com

I hope I spelled that right.
I also am very saddened by the plight of the injured animal belonging to hypoboa1 (equally un-grammatical as SnakePimp)I wish I hadn't started this at his expense.
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Jeremy J. Anderson
No one in the world ever gets what they want, and that is beautiful. Everybody dies frustrated and sad, and that is beautiful.

There is nothing they are going to be able to do to fix the snake? If his back was broken and it is knotted where the break is and it occurred a while ago then there is nothing that can be done to fix the snake.
Now you have to decide if the snake is worth the time that it is going to take to care for, or I should say your daughter will have to make that decision. I have a 12 year old daughter and she is a lot smarter then many adults would give a child her age to be. You can approach this problem from two different angles…
1) The snake is suffering and you must but it down to end it’s suffering and give it peace. Your daughter will be upset… for a while but she will get over it. Even at as young as 12 they have to sometimes face death and the fact the people and things die. A 12 year old girl will get over the death of a pet boa much quicker then you think. Maybe say a prayer with her (if that is your way). But I would not offer up a “replacement boa” right away. Let her mourn and when she is done then surprise her one day with a new boa, that way she will not always associate the new boa with the death of her first boa…
2) The snake is probably in no pain. In fact it is probably paralyzed in part from the break on down which is why it has a hard time going to the bathroom by itself. If your daughter wants to take on the responsibility of caring for a crippled animal, then that is going to mean time in helping it shed every few time per year and soaking it in warm water once per week to help it defecate. The snake will probably, over time, worsen in heath and die on it’s own, but in the mean time if she wants to expend the time let her do it, but make sure she does it or the snake then does suffer.
I hope this helps
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

Is this actually a break (as the seller informed you) or is it a degenerative disease or disorder that will only get worse? If it's the latter, the snake will begin to suffer as the disease/disorder progresses. In either case, I'm hoping you quarantined the snake away from anything else that may be in your collection. In my humble opinion, a store or breeder that would sell an animal in that condition is simply looking at their bottom line and don't care one iota about their customer or that customer's collection. This situation just screams "BUYER BEWARE" to me.

Just a bit more food for thought...........

Raven

To be honest,I am really not sure if he was born that way or someone slammed a door on his back!I just couldnt see letting him stay in a pet store an not get the propper care he deserved,So my daughter has taken over his care since we got him 11 months ago!I do agree with Hoppy though,I dont believe hes in any pain,He nails prekilled small rats like a champ,I reckin he thinks hes killing them,from the knot up hes as strong as any of my other boas,but from the knot down he still has movement,but is not as strong!My daughter likes hoppy's idea about the baths so I figure thats what will happen an if he starts showing signs of not wanting to eat,which he isnt,I THEN KNOW WHAT TO DO!Heck he looks for another,an he aint going to get it 1 small rat a week is enough,I feel!But Thank you to everyone that has gave their help on this matter![HYPOBOA]

Most snakes won't eat if they are in severe distress. If this one's eating "like a champ," it seems like she may have a few good years left...

Good luck, Chris
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com