Deformed ball python

I found a local ball that is "deformed". He is free to a good home, I'm wondering if it would be better for the snake to just be put down or if it is possible for it to live a "healthy" life. Here is the link, I also copied and pasted the text. I e-mailed the owner asking more about it.

This Mojave ball has a deformity of the right mandible, probably caused by a heat spike in incubation. Because of this, *he cannot eat on his own* and can't consume food larger than rat pinks. It's quite a bit easier to syringe feed him, however.
He is free to the right home.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/pet/3905278855.html

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Originally Posted by AlexiTLO

I found a local ball that is "deformed". He is free to a good home, I'm wondering if it would be better for the snake to just be put down or if it is possible for it to live a "healthy" life. Here is the link, I also copied and pasted the text. I e-mailed the owner asking more about it.

This Mojave ball has a deformity of the right mandible, probably caused by a heat spike in incubation. Because of this, *he cannot eat on his own* and can't consume food larger than rat pinks. It's quite a bit easier to syringe feed him, however.
He is free to the right home.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/pet/3905278855.html

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Should be put down in my opinion.

I asked for pictures and how old it was. I wonder if I would be able to talk them into putting it down depending on its quality of life... It just doesn't seem like there would be much to live for if it can't even feed itself. Anyone have any idea how much it would cost to euthanize a snake?

IMO, it sounds like it would be better for that snake to be euthanized.

An animal that must be force fed to stay alive probably has a low quality of life. Then you have to wonder if it's painful for the snake to be force fed.

Any snake that cannot eat/poop on their own should be put down. I think it's cruel to keep them living for ones own enjoyment.

If he cannot eat on his own without human aide and is failing to thrive, I do believe he should be humanely euthanized.

Poor guy. :(

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I would say that, sadly, euthanasia is the most humane thing to do. There are several methods listed in this forum, please take a look at each carefully

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Originally Posted by AlexiTLO

I asked for pictures and how old it was. I wonder if I would be able to talk them into putting it down depending on its quality of life... It just doesn't seem like there would be much to live for if it can't even feed itself. Anyone have any idea how much it would cost to euthanize a snake?

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If you can stomach it, you can do it for free at your house.

I know most will suggest completely destroying the brain as one of the most humane methods.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

If you can stomach it, you can do it for free at your house.

I know most will suggest completely destroying the brain as one of the most humane methods.

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I have never done anything like that myself. I did make a co2 chamber for some ASFs when I had my tegus. Would that work? I know freezing is out of the question. I'm not sure if I could decapitate something, even though it would probably be doing the poor thing a favor. Normally I would never think of replying to something like that but I would hate for it to go to a home where someone attempts to keep it alive any longer.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

If you can stomach it, you can do it for free at your house.

I know most will suggest completely destroying the brain as one of the most humane methods.

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Yup.

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Originally Posted by AlexiTLO

I have never done anything like that myself. I did make a co2 chamber for some ASFs when I had my tegus. Would that work? I know freezing is out of the question. I'm not sure if I could decapitate something, even though it would probably be doing the poor thing a favor. Normally I would never think of replying to something like that but I would hate for it to go to a home where someone attempts to keep it alive any longer.

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Instantaneous brain destruction would be the most humane at home euthanasia method. So smashing or crushing the head....

Vets will use anesthesia overdose or cardiac puncture.

Co2 is considered cruel due reptiles going through periods of apnea. They don't need much oxygen to survive and can go long periods without it. It could take hours to put down a reptile via co2, which could be agonizing. And a reptile could potentially survive a co2 chamber.

Decapitation is also not humane. The head can still be alive and feel pain up to 30+ minutes after its been cut off.

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