When and how to "pull the plug"

[Velvet]

Hi Guys,

Long story short, I have a 6mo little chap. About 2 months ago, he regurged 3-4 times in a row (I gave him "rest periods" between regurges and the next meal etc etc), I started him on a pinkie head every 4-5 days, he kept these down so I moved him onto newborn pinks. He's been eating these without a problem ever since, no refused meals, no regurge.

But he is just not picking up weight, just getting thinner and thinner and just not doing well.

Have spoken to experts and they suggest euthansia, I don't want him to suffer if he has little or no chance of survival anyway and though it is hard, I think this is the best course of action...

One thing though, how does one euthanaze a snake? He is tiny, about hatchling size...there aren't any reptile vets near me but could I take him to a normal vet and have her inject him? Not sure how it would normally work...

I can have him euthanazed but I can't kill him myself, I have no problems killing mice but he is a pet...

Opinions and suggestions? Feeling pretty miserable right now...

 

[Cegninedorf]

I am so sorry...I have no advice on this, but it is definitely something that I've worried about for my own snakes (pets, in general!), and by far, it is not an easy subject to contemplate at all, ever... You have my best...

 

[Nanci]

Since he's eating, and keeping it down, why not give him more of a chance? He's obviously trying. It probably takes a long time to build back up. As long as he's active, eating, drinking- I wouldn't euthanize him. Do you say he's not doing well just because of no weight gain, or is there something else going on?

Nanci

 

[Velvet]

Hi,

Thanks guys.

Well, his skin is dull (not preshed), he stays curled up all the time and is very lethargic, he poo's very often, his movements are a bit slow and stiffish. He has been eating but refused his meal on Tuesday (first time ever), it was a tiny pink. He doesn't flick his tongue in and out much either...

I will try feeding him again...it just doesn't seem as if he is absorbing much from his meals, I expected to see some tiny improvement by now but he just seems worse...

I will try feeding him again, give him a bit more of a chance..I am just scared that he is absorbing just enough to stay alive but that's all...like I said, I don't want him to suffer.

 

[Tula_Montage]

I would try to tube feed him dogfood as its more fatty and easily digested, he would get a lot more out of that. My OH who has dealt with many non feeders/growers/undersized snakes uses this technique all the time and it seems to worth. He raised Panther from a worm of a hatchling who he though wasn't going to make it... now look at him!

 

[Flagg]

Have it checked for parasites, and try giving it nutribac to replenish digestive bacteria. I think Kathy Love sells it on her website.

 

[Pruddock]

If he's eating steadily and not reabsorbing anything I'd say you've got yourself a parasite problem. The only problem is that he is so thin and the antibiotics can be so hard on the snake that it might be too late. I hope everything works out, and I'd continue to give him food and see if he does put some weight back on. If he does, take him to a good herp vet in your area with a stool sample and they should be able to help you. Sorry your little guy is having such a hard time

 

[snakewispera snr]

I hope the little guy pulls through,it's always sad when its a pet. But back to your original question.
There are a number of threads here on "helping your beloved pet shuffle off it's mortal coil", If you find it difficult, (and god knows we all do) ask a trusted friend to help you.
But maybe some treatment first and a chance to pull through.
This is your call,You know this guy better than any of us.

 

[rolandslf]

Parasites

Hello Velvet. Sorry to hear about the little chap. I think we have a parasite here, has he been de-wormed. Don't give up yet. Get him to a vet first before opting for drastic measures.
Best of luck.

Ciao

 

[Velvet]

Flagg, I live in South Africa, getting anything from Kathy Love would be extremely complicated.

He's too small and weak to be given any medication, it will surely kill him if the stress doesn't already.

Alas, there are no good herp vets in my area...in fact I have never heard of any in SA, though I am sure there must be some.

He puked up whatever was left from his previous meal last night...but I am going to keep trying for him.

 

[Velvet]

I think that a trip to the vet would kill him anyway...

 

[antsterr]

Well, if you're going to put him down, why not try and up his feeding just to see? If he takes a fuzzy and holds it down that might just do the trick. If he doesn't well, at least you gave it one last shot right?

 

[snakeboy24]

totally agree with last post. if he doesn't hold it down and you decide to give him longer well make sure you plan how long (to the day if possible) you are going to give him and if he hasn't made a significant improvement by then well you know you have done you're best and have done all in your power. also if he doesn't improve by that date then i think it would be the kindest thing for him to end the suffering.

hope everything goes well and he pulls through.

good luck !!!!!

lee

 

[Drizzt80]

Sounds to me like a classic "improper temperatures for digestion" problem. :shrugs: Triple check that the temperatures are 85* on the warm end.

D80

 

[Crowskin]

Just wanted to leave a little note and tell you to hang in there! I had to forcefeed (as last resort, and yeah it was under vets suggestions) my little zig-zag for almost 2 years! And finally now he's picked up weight, looking great, and feeding all on his own.

It takes a Lot of patience to stick with the stubborn ones, but sometimes it is the most rewarding. I know this little guy has taught me a lot of patience but he's the sweetest darling ever and now he's really catching up to my other corn.

Good luck! Keep in there Velvet!!

-Crow

 

[Velvet]

Thanks guys,

Firstly, there is NO way on earth he would ever be able to keep down a fuzzy, he is literally hatchling size! Thanks for the suggestion but I kNOW he will regurge a meal that size, he can barely keep down newborn pinks...

As for the Temps, he is under the exact same conditions, exact same temps as all my others who are thriving. Thanks for the suggestion though. But I would've checked temps and basic things like that when the first regurge occured (which I did).

Thanks Crow, I am not giving up on him just yet, decided he's fought this far, I'll give him more of a chance. Going to try feeing him tonight again...will see if he eats...otherwise its back onto heads and half pinks for him.

 

[Drizzt80]

As for the Temps, he is under the exact same conditions, exact same temps as all my others who are thriving.

Not all individual corns are the same or require/thrive "under the exact same conditions". Obviously, even though all your snakes are "under the exact same conditions", you have one that is not thriving.

But I would've checked temps and basic things like that when the first regurge occured (which I did).

Very vague response as you did not indicate your temperatures and "basic things like that" when you first posted this problem. Nor did you indicate what your temperatures are in your vague response. Good luck. :shrugs:

D80

 

[Crowskin]

Just curious how things are going Velvet, care to update us? Hopefully things aren't as bleak. *keeps fingers crossed*

-Crow

 

[rolandslf]

Forcefeeding

Hi Velvet.
How is the little one doing. Someone suggested forcefeeding but I think the problem is not with feeding but rather with keeping food down. Hang in there, I've got a little guy who refuses to eat and I've been forcefeeding him for 3 months now, 1 pink every 5 days. Lastnight for the first time I actually saw him freely ranging around his tank and at last seeming to have some energy.
Off Topic, I will be in Roodepoort over the long weekend in August. PM me your number on snakes.co.za.

Ciao

 

[Velvet]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I didn't get a chance to update you yesterday...Raphael passed on (unassisted) on Monday...