Tail Troubles

[lainie]

I have a couple of Savus that were given to me a few months ago, and one of them was not in perfect health. She was not eating, and her tail had a couple of hard knots in it, and the surrounding tissue was hard and brittle. Now she is eating and putting on weight, but the amount of dead tissue in her tail is spreading. More of her tail tissue has died.

Today I found her with her tail tied into a tight knot, blocking her cloacal opening. I was able to unknot it, and she was immediately able to appreciate my effort.

I have had a couple of people recommend that I put her down, to prevent her from suffering and before anything spreads to my other snakes. I'm not ready to do that until I exhaust all other possibilities. I can isolate her from my other animals, but what do I do to treat her? I can not afford to pay a huge vet bill.

I'd appreciate any help I could get!

Thanks, lainie

[DaemoNox]

I hate giving out medical advice without seeing it, so I still recommend a vet especially if the dead tissue is spreading. I have cut off dead tails before, however I worry about it still spreading after that, so I definatly think a good vet is the safest way to go just to be safe in case its something more serious then a circulation problem from a bad shed.

[TailsW/Scales]

I agree with DaemoNox. That snake will die a miserable death without Vet intervention. Quit thinking of what's best for you and think of what's best for the snake. These are now your pets and your responsability. If at the very least put it down or adopt it (and the other snake) out to someone who is willing to pay for ALL their needs including proper vet care.

Sorry to sound harsh but it's the truth.

[lainie]

I realize this snake needs medical attention or it will die. That is the whole point. Since my husband has been sick and unable to work for the past eleven months, I do not have the resources to give the snake what it needs. That is why I looking for other solutions. The person that gave me the savu even recommended destroying it, and that is not something I am willing to consider--at all.

I could take her to every vet in town and it would do no good. They are not going to treat her when the bill is not going to get paid.

However, I have found a solution to her problem. A local animal rescue center is going to take care of her.

[lainie]

I realize this snake needs medical attention or it will die. That is the whole point. Since my husband has been sick and unable to work for the past eleven months, I do not have the resources to give the snake what it needs. That is why I looking for other solutions. The person that gave me the savu even recommended destroying it, and that is not something I am willing to consider--at all.

I could take her to every vet in town and it would do no good. They are not going to treat her when the bill is not going to get paid.

However, I have found a solution to her problem. A local animal rescue center is going to take care of her.

[Boots Hawks]

I realize that animals depend on us as their keepers to give them proper care. But I really feel for someone who wants to do the right thing and just don't have the funds. Just because you are an animal lover and are not rich should not mean that you can't own pets and give them reasonable care. My brother, bless his heart, took in a stray cat and ended up paying almost 10,000 in vet bills on a cat that had some type of cancer. I told him that if it was me that cat would have had a nice fish dinner then a ticket to kitty heaven. We do have an obligation to our animals but not to where it would make you lose a house or make you or yours go hungry. So if anyone has a pet, give it the best you can, but in my humble opinion, only what is reasonable for you. The main thing is never let an animal suffer, that is unexcusable. So you did the right thing by turning it over to the animal rescue people, hope it works out for the animal.

Boots H.