Howard Phillip McArthur

[kinley]

Hey guys, I'm so sorry it's been months since if updated you. I've had a lot of family stuff come up. I appreciate your messages asking for updates and wishing well for Howard. It helped me feel a lot better having some support.

I came home on July 2nd to find one of the blisters had ruptured. A tiny hole was leaking tons of seemingly clear fluid. I used this as a chance to push it out. I also called the emergency vet (it was nearly midnight) and they said he should be fine. A few days later, I left Howard with my very capable parents for a week as I went on vacation and they continued to tube feed him twice a day and give him his antibiotics. They did so perfectly, just as well as I would've. I even called my mom while I was gone and asked her to set the phone on top of his tank so I could talk to him (yes I have issues, I know, but I love that little guy and I missed him terribly!).

I got home on July 11th and he was still at 124g, which, if you recall, was where he had plateaued nearly two weeks before.

Devastated, I called my vet the next morning just to check in again. He said not to stress it, just keep watching the blisters.

On July 12, at about 9:30 pm, I removed him from the enclosure to feed him. As I did every night, I flipped him over to check out how the redness was doing. This is the picture from that night:



Heartbroken, as I had been, I took him to the table that I feed him on. I set him down to go grab the tube and when I came back he was peeking at me from behind a box. I laughed because he was just so gosh dang cute and picked him up. I felt something wet on my fingers. So of course I inspected him closely, terrified that another blister had popped. To my dismay, it had. I rushed him to my bathroom and later him on a towel. Only then did I notice that it wasn't clear fluid. It was bloody.



I cried and cried and held him and cried some more. The spot where the skin had torn was nothing but muscle underneath, which is what the vet said might happen and f so, he would need to be euthanized.

The next morning at about 10:00, I drove Howard to the vet. I almost couldn't part with him. It was the most soul shattering experience of my life.

I wasn't allowed to be in the room during the procedure but they assured me that he was as comfortable as he could be (for a snake).

Afterwards, I brought him home and had a beautiful funeral/burial.

Howard Phillip McArthur, my beloved baby, the toughest snake known to man, fought until it just wasn't feasible to force him to fight any longer.

Believe me when I say I miss him dearly.

Thank you again for all your kind comments and your gracious concerns.

Howard would thank you too




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ax01]

thank u kinley for the update. i'm so sorry, we were all fearing the worse, yet waiting for the best.

you took Howard Phillip McArthur from a bad situation, provided him with comfort and did all u could do. i'm glad there is someone with your heart in this world.

all my best.



and when the rest of the forum gets here.

[Aercadia]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Somewhere in the big grassy hills in the sky, HPMcA is slithering around and gobbling up all the mouses he can fit in his face. RIP, sweet boy.

[Smitty33]

Kinley I'm so very sorry for your loss. You went above and beyond trying your best to save the little guy and hopefully did make his life a little better and you should feel very good for that. I'll keep you two in my prayers.

[ballpythonluvr]

I am so sorry for your loss. You went above and beyond to help that poor little baby and that is very admirable. I cried a little when I read that he had to be euthanized but I am also glad that he is not suffering. You did a wonderful job with Howard. RIP sweet little boy.

[Asherah]

I was really hoping he would make it. I'm sure you made the best decision for him though. So sorry for your loss.

[Kath]

So sorry for ur loss. You went above and beyond to give him a chance. Kath.

[PitOnTheProwl]

This sucks...........

[Bigfish1975]

Always difficult to lose them. You did all that you could. Sorry for your loss.

[AKA Dave]

Heartbreaking...

Dave