Not good not good not good...!

[Reptilian]

OMG! I am so freaking out here!

My fiance came to me and asked if I put Phantom, my cornsnake in the glass tank. I told him no, so the only thing that could have happen was that he got out of his new home. I just gave both my corns new tubs and I noticed the lids were slightly warped. I didn't put any thought into it after that.

Well I go to where the snakes are and I find Phantom sitting under a spare glass aquarium I had (the thing is on rubber feet so there is a half inch gap). So I pick him up and ask what does he think he's doing out. As I pick him up I notice he's covered in bites and the lower 6 inches of his body is limp.

I put him in his cage, which has newspaper as substraite and take out his wooden hide so he doesn't get anymore debre in his wounds.

The only thing I can think is that he got into the rats cage, which is right next to the snakes cages. And the three of 'em ganged up on Phantom.

So I called my vet and got an appointment for 2:45 today. I had to go thru a list of vets that I pulled from the phone book because my old vets office *just* closed down. And I hadn't gotten around to calling for a new vet.

I noticed when he was moving, the way he slithered his upper body follows but the lower 6 inches just drags along. The body seems misshapen at the one point and I can't tell if it's nerve damage or they broke his back...

...either way i am in a panic. I can't tell if he's in pain...he doesn't rear up or strike...

Please keep us in your thoughts that he pulls thru. I can't begin to imagine what the vet is going to say.

[Freakie_frog]

Best of luck with him. sound like a bite may have injured its spine.

You and he will be in my thoughts. Let us know how it goes.

[steveo]

yeah sounds like what freakie frog said
lets hope not though , my thoughts are with you and your corn to make a speedy recovery

[Gerrior]

I hope all goes well for you and phantom!

[recycling goddess]

oh i'm so sorry to hear this. it's amazing how small of a gap snakes can escape from... especially corn snakes.

please keep us posted... sending reiki healing light to you and your snake!

[Reptilian]

Sound like a bite may have injured its spine.

Are spinal injuries permenent? I mean can he live a happy life? I am worried, will he be able to have BM and pass uriates? I wish I had a sooner appointment...

[ReptileQueen]

Sorry to hear about phantom! Hope its nothing serious.

[recycling goddess]

no can even begin to guess at this point. wait for your vet

[Freakie_frog]

Are spinal injuries permenent? I mean can he live a happy life? I am worried, will he be able to have BM and pass uriates? I wish I had a sooner appointment...

Because snakes need the nerves in the lower part of their body to control their lower half. So I'll say no.

[Reptilian]

Because snakes need the nerves in the lower part of their body to control their lower half. So I'll say no.

Well that's really not good....my poor Phantom! I'll most certainly wait to see what the vet has to say...