I dont know what to do with her anymore...

[heathers*bps]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong area. Mods please feel free to move it if necessary.

Ok, a little history. I have a cinny girl, about 2 1/2 years old, that was given to me as a hatchling from a local breeder. The reason she was given to me is because she is duck billed, and the guy who gave her to me said he didn't have time to try and get her to eat on her own, he has too many other hatchlings/snakes to care for and couldn't give her the time she needed to get started.

So, I've had her for a little over two years, and every feeding with her is atleast an assist feed, if not a force feed. She's just slightly larger than a hatchling, as getting her to eat most weeks are a PITA. It honestly DOES take up some time to get her to eat, and now that I, alone, have over 40 snakes, it is really time consuming when it comes to feeding time with her.

I just don't know what to do. I mean, is her quality of life good? Should I have not taking her and let the breeder cull her off? I'm in this Damn snake over 2 years but I feel my hard work isn't paying off. I guess since I had NO experience with a duck billed snake, I thought after a few feedings she would pick up on it on her own, but after a few months that thought slipped away.

What would YOU do? I don't know if I should continue on with how things have been going, should I give her to someone who has more time to devote to her, or should I euthanize her? Here is a couple pics of her

[RichL]

poor thing =(

Personally, I would think that you would be doing her a mercy. You gave her a chance, and she just didn't pick it up. You could assist/force feed for the rest of her life, but it's gotta be super stressful. If she hasn't picked it up by now, I imagine that she isn't going to.

I applaud you for doing your best and sticking with it for over 2 years. I don't think anyone would 'blame' you, or say you did the wrong thing if you were to euthanize her. My personal opinion would be to go ahead and euthanize. Quality of life, no matter how 'primitive' BP's may be, just isn't there.

I wish you luck and/or condolences in whatever you decide.

[xFenrir]

poor thing =(

Personally, I would think that you would be doing her a mercy. You gave her a chance, and she just didn't pick it up. You could assist/force feed for the rest of her life, but it's gotta be super stressful. If she hasn't picked it up by now, I imagine that she isn't going to.

I applaud you for doing your best and sticking with it for over 2 years. I don't think anyone would 'blame' you, or say you did the wrong thing if you were to euthanize her. My personal opinion would be to go ahead and euthanize. Quality of life, no matter how 'primitive' BP's may be, just isn't there.

I wish you luck and/or condolences in whatever you decide.

x2. It would be great if someone DID want to take her and care for her, but honestly, you do have to look at the quality of life. Is it worth stressing her out every week for the rest of her life? It's a damn shame, but if it's in her best interest, I would look into euthanization... It's a terribly sad predicament, my heart goes out to you and this poor little one. At least you were able to give her two love-filled years of life instead of her just getting culled right at the get-go.

[KatStoverReptiles]

I kinda have to agree. I think stressing her out every week makes her quality of life pretty low. I've only had to assist feed once, and god that was a stressful experience (for me and the snake), I can't imagine doing it weekly.

...

[adamjeffery]

just for clarification, i was always under the impression that this deformity was called slack jawed and duck billing was when the mouth and pits were flared out? ive seen more than a few animals born with slack jaws like yours and ive never seen one eat on its own or survive.
either way i know what i would have done. sorry you have to make this choice, especially after such an amount of time and emotion invested.
adam jeffery

[jeff_blake]

if i was able to own another, id be more then happy too. unfortunately that isnt the case. so sorry! hopefully one would take care of her

[meowmeowkazoo]

I would euthanize her. Easier said than done though. Sorry you have to make such a tough decision.

[Royal Hijinx]

I would euthanize her. Easier said than done though. Sorry you have to make such a tough decision.

My thoughts precisely.

[Emily Hubbard]

Poor little girl
I think euthanasia is truly the best option. There are some deformities that just aren't survivable. You did the very best you could and gave her a fighting chance. But if she isn't eating on her own, all you are doing now is prolonging her life, not enhancing it. Such a sad thing. But everyone here has made it clear that we would all support your decision if you decided to euthanize her.

You are to be commended for taking so much time to give her a fighting chance. I applaud your efforts. You have probably become a fantastic assist feeder through all of this, a skill you are almost sure to use again at some point, as long as you are keeping snakes. Give this poor little girl a peaceful end, it will be better for both of you in the long run.

[angllady2]

just for clarification, i was always under the impression that this deformity was called slack jawed and duck billing was when the mouth and pits were flared out?

I agree, this isn't what I consider duck billing at all. In duck billing, the snakes face does indeed have the shape of a ducks bill. Being narrowing from the eyes as in a normal snake, then the face flares out and looks for all the world like a duck bill. These snakes usually have no trouble feeding, it is merely an aesthetic thing.

This deformity is not a duck bill, it looks as though her lower jaw did not form completely. This makes feeding difficult or impossible as you have found out.

I also applaud you for trying your best for so long, but I think at this point, the thing to do is acknowledge you tried, and let her stop suffering.

Gale