Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A discussion ensued on the kingsnake forum about euthanizing a snake. Although I didn't agree with the posts telling the owner to kill the snake, I am interested in how it should be done in the event it needs to be done. Can you explain what you think is a humane way to euthanize a snake? Thank you.

BTW, I thought a Subject line of "killing a snake" was a bit too much.. of course anyone can answer if they have knowledge on this. Or in the spirit of any public forum, even if they don't.

>>BTW, I thought a Subject line of "killing a snake" was a bit too much.. of course anyone can answer if they have knowledge on this. Or in the spirit of any public forum, even if they don't.

I am not Kelly, but I am a Certified Euthanasia Tech. The standards of the American Humane Association allow two ways to euthanize. One via injection of sodium pentobarbitol. That is done by a vet as the solution is a control substance. I do not have my manual here, but Freezing is an option for smaller snakes and is considered humane. I believe Exsanguination is also considered acceptable.
-----
Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
Visit kingsnake on Facebook!
Follow Kingsnake on Twitter!

>>>>BTW, I thought a Subject line of "killing a snake" was a bit too much.. of course anyone can answer if they have knowledge on this. Or in the spirit of any public forum, even if they don't.
>>
>>I am not Kelly, but I am a Certified Euthanasia Tech. The standards of the American Humane Association allow two ways to euthanize. One via injection of sodium pentobarbitol. That is done by a vet as the solution is a control substance. I do not have my manual here, but Freezing is an option for smaller snakes and is considered humane. I believe Exsanguination is also considered acceptable.
>>-----
>>Cindy Steinle
>>PHFaust
>>Visit kingsnake on Facebook!
>> Follow Kingsnake on Twitter!

I believe the most humane process to euthanize any snake is by freezing. However, it must be done properly in order to minimize trauma to the animal. That said, snakes should only be frozen after they have been subjected to temperatures in the 35 to 40 F range for about 24 hours in order to induce extreme reduction in their metabolic processes and inducement of a virtually unconscious state. Only then should they be subjected to freezing temperatures. The other previous processes mentioned are valid options, but not in the realm of most people to have the knowledge or resources to perform.

Kelly

Makes perfect sense. Thank you.

http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/animals/operational-guides/op-guide-reptilecare.pdf

There's a section on euthanasia.

At risk of starting a discussion that will get this thread pulled, there are a couple of other methods that are perfectly humane but not listed because they are "messy" and not appropriate for a clinical setting (or indoors for that matter). One is probably obvious.
-----
What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

>>http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/animals/operational-guides/op-guide-reptilecare.pdf
>>
>>There's a section on euthanasia.
>>
>>At risk of starting a discussion that will get this thread pulled, there are a couple of other methods that are perfectly humane but not listed because they are "messy" and not appropriate for a clinical setting (or indoors for that matter). One is probably obvious.
>>-----

LOL I doubt the thread would get pulled as I did list exsanguination. This method is debatable however as to if it is done properly as to how human it would be.

Thanks for that link. It is more current than my manual. I will also check it over and make corrections possibly for the shelters that I work with.
-----
Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
Visit kingsnake on Facebook!
Follow Kingsnake on Twitter!

"At risk of starting a discussion that will get this thread pulled"

Apparently Larry doesn't ever visit the kingsnake forum, huh Cindy?..

I am thinking Larry is a very smart man because of this and actually saves himself some major headaches and frustration that way.

Jorge's post there today had me about rolling on the ground I was laughing so hard!. I told Jorge about an instance around 7 years ago when I was doing a bunch of multi-tasking very late at night and was extremely tired while typing things in several different windows at once and "thought" I was privately PMing a friend using all sorts of four-letter words regarding another forum member, but I was actually typing on the forum instead for the entire world to see. When I clicked the "Post Message" button and realized what I just did, I instantly had a sick feeling that hit me like a ton of bricks!..

Anyway, you're a smarter man than the rest of us Larry, as many I know will agree..LOL!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

>>Apparently Larry doesn't ever visit the kingsnake forum, huh Cindy?..

Ah, now I see my boggle. In the first post in this thread, Mark made reference to a thread on "the kingsnake forum". This being the general snake forum of "forums.kingsnake.com", I thought he was talking about a thread here that I didn't see because it got out of hand and was pulled.

And, no, I rarely visit the "kingsnake forum" unless I'm looking for something specific (and I haven't kept kingsnakes for a while).
-----
What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

I totally understand Larry, that's what I figured. I was having a bit of sarcastic fun because Mark and I both know all too well there are more "pi$$ing matches" and personal insults over there than you could ever imagine because of a few that make a nasty habit of it there.

cheers, ~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

>>>>Apparently Larry doesn't ever visit the kingsnake forum, huh Cindy?..
>>
>>Ah, now I see my boggle. In the first post in this thread, Mark made reference to a thread on "the kingsnake forum". This being the general snake forum of "forums.kingsnake.com", I thought he was talking about a thread here that I didn't see because it got out of hand and was pulled.
>>
>>And, no, I rarely visit the "kingsnake forum" unless I'm looking for something specific (and I haven't kept kingsnakes for a while).
>>-----
>>What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Nah, they all get angry over there a lot. I suspect it is because they keep small stuff. But hey, that is just my thoughts. ;P
-----
Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
Visit kingsnake on Facebook!
Follow Kingsnake on Twitter!

>>LOL I doubt the thread would get pulled as I did list exsanguination.

I meant more for the "shouting match" that might ensue...
-----
What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

>>>>LOL I doubt the thread would get pulled as I did list exsanguination.
>>
>>I meant more for the "shouting match" that might ensue...
>>-----
>>What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Ehhh takes a bit of shouting to ruffle my tailfeathers.
-----
Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
Visit kingsnake on Facebook!
Follow Kingsnake on Twitter!