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deformed hatchling... what to do?

corncrazy008 said:
Personally I would put it down. I tend to agree with Jynx, in nature it would have no chance of survival. I personally would feed it to a kingsnake or bird of prey or whatever else might eat it. I know this may sound a little cruel but it allows the snake to be used for what it would have been used in the wild, food. I understand we aren't in the "wild", however, nature really does know best so I try to follow suit. Using it as food doesn't allow it to just go to waste either. Remember also, not all things born are really meant to survive.

Either way it is your choice but this is just what I would personally do with it.
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Well see.. this is the thing....
This snake is not in the wild and to be quite honest any of these babies wouldn't have survived in the true "Wild" they would have never even been produced in the wild....
:shrugs: so I guess if we deem this statement viable then we all should take our brightly colored morphs out and cull them off because they too would never survive/thrive in the wild.

Im just making an aobservation and a point...

:rolleyes: I, myself would give this little guy a chance...
and many babies wont eat right off (do we cull them off) no...
we give them several chances first so dont jump the gun if this little guy dont take off and eat right away...

but Hjorrdis, :cry: if it does come to the point that you feel it should be euthanized... I have read on here many times (never had to actually do it) but If you place it in the refrigerator for an hour or so to cool it and enduce hybernation you can then slip it into the freezer ( I have heard that this is thought to be more humane than to just sticking it in the freezer)


hope all is well with you and yours...

care to give us an update?

:wavey:
 
corncrazy008 said:
in nature it would have no chance of survival.
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Hehe, not to stir the pot, but I highly doubt my lavender would have much of a chance in the wild either... ;)

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with putting him down. Ultimately, Hjorrdis, the choice is up to you. I think you have enough opinions on here already, mine would just be superfluous. I am curious to see what happens with this little one though. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Keep us updated! :)
 
Euthanasia

I have discovered that removing the head of a snake isn't the most humane method for dispatching it either. Not like it is for birds and mammals. Any veterinarian or competent technician should be able to inject euthanasia solution into the heart. Snakes just can't catch a break. There doesn't seem to be any quick, painless way to do the deed. Still, with euthanasia solution there is at least increasing sedation leading to death. Just a thought. Don't even bother railing at me about cost. Sometimes you just have to pay. There is no reason why an acceptable deal can't be made with a local vet to address issues just like this. Thanks.
 
There doesn't seem to be any quick, painless way to do the deed
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My vet's view is that the only humane method of euthanasing a smaller snake like a Corn, is a hard blow to the head which destroys the brain instantly. Ugly but worth knowing. Just hope I never have to make that decision.

Snakes' nervous systems are designed to function without oxygen for longer periods of time than a mammal. Freezing, decapitation and injection can still result in a protracted and painful death, throughout which the snake is conscious.
 
bitsy said:
My vet's view is that the only humane method of euthanasing a smaller snake like a Corn, is a hard blow to the head which destroys the brain instantly. Ugly but worth knowing. Just hope I never have to make that decision.

Snakes' nervous systems are designed to function without oxygen for longer periods of time than a mammal. Freezing, decapitation and injection can still result in a protracted and painful death, throughout which the snake is conscious.
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And what if the first blow to the head isn't perfect? Or someone didn't hit it hard enough or with a big enough hammer (or whatever) to totally smash the entire brain? Personally, I think your vet needs to rethink his/her ethics.

IMO, the most humane method of euthanasia for reptiles would be an intramuscular injection of anesthetic (or gas anesthetic, but takes longer) so it is "out" like for a surgery, and then the final injection of euthanasia solution (standard procedure for dogs and cats)...personal preference for herps is directly into the brain (try to find a vein in a turtle and you sure can't get to the heart easily) via the base of the skull where it attaches to the spinal cord. I've used this method with birds as well. But, I usually don't want to wait until I can get a snake to the hospital...I use the fridge to freezer method for my personal snakes.
 
And what if the first blow to the head isn't perfect? Or someone didn't hit it hard enough or with a big enough hammer (or whatever) to totally smash the entire brain? Personally, I think your vet needs to rethink his/her ethics.
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The vet's view was that this was much more reliable than anaesthetic. Snakes can have a very individual response to anaesthetic. Effectively they can hold their breath for many minutes, so gas is even less measureable. Lethal injection for a reptile requires at least three times the volume-to-bodyweight to produce instant death, than would be used for a mammal. Most vets aren't aware of that.
 
Final update :(

It's been over three weeks since the rest of the clutch shed and this guy still doesn't seem to be trying for it. The skin is starting to peel and he REALLY needs to shed but no move towards it. We're going for freezing, because all methods seem unpleasant, at least I can allow him to hibernate first, eh.
 
Honestly, I know I'm coming to this thread late, but I'd see a vet. Chemical euthanasia is entirely humane, and the only negative thing your snake will experience is the stress of being handled. Hopefully he's not already been put in the freezer. :(
 
Aw I'm so sorry he didn't improve. I've been following this thread and was willing him to pull through... Would've been lovely if he had, but I guess the lil guy knows what's best and knows not to fight. You did everything you could, but it wasn't meant to be. *Hugs*
 
Thank you guys for your support....

as for taking the snake to the vet and having it euthanized.... Apparently not all vets who do this know that it takes a lot to do so. I would hate to have the poor thing just so drugged he looked dead and that chance was a little much for me. I also do not have the money to constantly take bad hatchlings to the vet. Sorry if that offends you :)
 
Aww, I'm sorry the little guy isn't making it. I was really pulling for him. At least you did the most you could for him, and gave him a fair chance. I'm really sorry it didn't work out for you, but I think you did the right thing.

Thanks for the update.
 
I wouldn't euthanize my child if she had a deformity...then again..snakes are different. If she doesn't seem unhappy then I would work with her. Hopefully she can eat. Good luck to you and your hatchling...poor baby =(
 
Hjorrdis said:
I also do not have the money to constantly take bad hatchlings to the vet. Sorry if that offends you :)
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Not offended, but you made mention of how none of the methods available to you seemed very good, so I wanted to let you know that one is quite humane for the snake. (Also, my vet charges $10 to euthanize, and since it's only one hatchling, I didn't think that would be an issue. Anyway, irrelevant now.)
 
Hjorrdis, I am very sorry. As I stated in a earlier post, you have an entire clutch full of healthy vibrant hatchlings that need your help getting started in life. I hope that thought helps to ease you a little bit, and you can remember him through his siblings.

These things happen. When they happen so severely, sometimes there is nothing that you or your vet or even God can do to change it unfortunately. Hopefully you will find consolation in the fact that he is no longer suffering, and I'm sure he is very grateful for the help you did try to give him. :)
 
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