Well *expletive*!

[Shiari]

So yesterday my pretty and sweet Thera had surgery to remove a stuck egg (she was able to pass feces beyond it just fine). Today, when I checked on her, I discovered that 1/3 of her tail is dead, and another couple inches are clearly dying (red, swollen, scales point 'out' from the tail). How the hell do you kill the tail when operating on the body???

There are not enough swear words.

[djc3]

Sorry about your girl. She may have thrown blood clots to the tail of be septic.

[Shiari]

Thera is getting the tail amputated. The vet thinks that she either threw a clot, or that the infection present around the stuck egg migrated into the tail.

[Dahliasmom2012]

I am so sorry. How awful. Fingers crossed the surgery goes well and she has no other issues and a speedy recovery.

[Rigby & Marcy]

Wow, hope she goes on to live a long and healthy, tail-less life... :/

[trenna davis]

i am so sorry to here about your snake

[Shiari]

Thera is now a frankensnake.

[SarahP]

Aww, poor girl. Still a pretty girl, though.

[Myca]

Oh Megan, I am so sorry.

[Phruit Dish]

Poor Thera! She is still lovely and is now quite unique. I'm sorry that you're both going through this, but very glad she's a strong, healthy fighter and that you were able to get her the help she needed. Hoping for a speedy, solid recovery from here on out!

[albertagirl]

Yikes! That sucks. :( Sorry to read this. I hope she heals up without any further complications!

[Shiari]

She took all 3 injections today like a champ, even the one that was 2.4 CCs!!! I felt like a terrible person giving her that much, but the antibiotic comes at a really low (and quite inconvenient) dilution. She was giving me sad hatchling eyes that everyone else got fed today, but she can't eat for another 6 days. No sign of tissue damage or inflammation or infection at the amputation site, so she probably threw a clot.

[albertagirl]

Wow, I've given injections to horses and cows, but would have no idea how to give one to a snake. I'd be so worried about hitting internal organs. Is it just a very short needle? How do you make sure not to hit anything you shouldn't?

[Shiari]

The injections are all under the skin, so as long as you stay parallel to the snake you're pretty much good.

[smigon]

The injections are all under the skin, so as long as you stay parallel to the snake you're pretty much good.

What did the vet have to say about it?

I've done Subcutaneous (Sub-Q) fluids on many cats, but never a corn. Good for you that you were able to do it.

You can now call her "Stumpy"! (I do apologize if that was disrespectful, but I thought it would be a cute name)

[Phruit Dish]

Appetite is a great sign! I have also given countless SQ, IM, and IV injections to dogs and cats, but snakes are so different! Thank you for the info.

[albertagirl]

Yes thank you. Their skin seems so tight compared to dogs, cows, etc I still wouldn't want to try it. I think you are very brave! Such a good snake mom. :)

[zazoo31]

So sorry to hear this. She is a very beautiful snake. I would be nervous to give injections. I hope she continues to improve.

[Ravenessa]

Awww I am so sorry :( Glad she is perky though <3 And such a good snake momma you are <3 <3 and she's still beautiful <3 not easy being a snake sometimes..

[SpectorGhost]

Aww poor sweet girl! I am so sorry honey :(

[Dahliasmom2012]

How is Thera doing?

[Shiari]

She's doing great. She HATES that big injection and rattled her stub at me. ;_;

[cornsnakes97]

Poor thing. :( I've never seen a snake with an amputated tail before. I hope she continues to recover well. What a trooper! She's beautiful!

[Dahliasmom2012]

I'm glad she is doing well and is giving you a piece of her mind with the end without teeth. Very considerate of her.

[SnakesMcGee]

aww that is cute, her rattling her stump. animals that survive such trauma tend to adapt exceedingly well; I'm glad to hear that Thera seems to be one such animal!

[Ravenessa]

<3 Glad to hear she is doing well... not easy being snakey momma!!

[smigon]

<3 Glad to hear she is doing well... not easy being snakey momma!!

AMEN! Just looking into those soft little eyes (especially when they are little) and knowing she is going to rely on you to ease her pain and make her better is heartbreaking sometimes, especially when you have to do injections or force feed.

Great job!

[grizlatron]

are her stitches out? can we see her? hope she's healing up well!

[frostgfx]

No joke... I bet someone with a 3D printer could fashion a prosthetic for her tail...