I feel Really Depressed About A Tragic Feeding Situation

I am new to snakes and have a BP that is an easy feeder. He eats exclusively pre-killed. I went in to my local reptile shop about bought 4 pre-killed hopper rats. The guy returns and I noticed the bag is still wiggling. He reassured me that it was just a muscle responce and that they were dead.

10 mins later I return home to find a live but seriously injured and suffering rat. It was so sad to see it hobble around in pain. My snake wouldn't eat it! I didn't know what to do so I just put the rat in the freezer.

I just feel increadible depressed. I am a pre-med student and I love all creatures. It kills me that I had to disbatch this crippled creature.

I just thought I'd share my feelings regarding this unfortionate event.

If this situation occurs in the future, please learn how to do cervical dislocation (neck breaking) or just bash the poor animal hard against a wall. Better yet, find a supplier of dry ice so you can gas them. It will take a mammal AGES to freeze to death and be incredibly painful in the meanwhile. That isn't meant to make you feel bad, just trying to pass along some information.

The guy at the Petstore was just - there are no words. I'm sorry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by American Veterinary Medical Association Guide on Euthanasia

CERVICAL DISLOCATION
Cervical dislocation is a technique that has beenused for many years and, when performed by well-trained individuals, appears to be humane. However,there are few scientific studies to confirm this observation. This technique is used to euthanatize poultry, othersmall birds, mice, and immature rats and rabbits. Formice and rats, the thumb and index finger are placed oneither side of the neck at the base of the skull or,alternatively, a rod is pressed at the base of the skull.With the other hand, the base of the tail or the hindlimbs are quickly pulled, causing separation of the cervical vertebrae from the skull.

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Hope this helps some; sorry you had to go through that

Rats take forever to freeze to death.

Yeah, that. If you have to do it again, use a dowel or even an ink-pen as the rod you put down. It sucks, but it's FAST.

Yeah i suggest cervical dislocation if you have no other way. We would just use our gas chamber hooked up to a co2 tank. Remember none of us are bashing you just trying to pass of good info. Take care.