Thoughts on Ralph Davis' newest controversial youtube video?

I just have to add this. Ralph never says, 'this is what you should do if you have this problem', like everything else, that's just what he would do. Just because he shows people how to pop/probe a snake doesn't mean he should be held responsible for the idiots who shove the probe through their snake. It's youtube, not vet school.

If anyone came to this site with a problem like that no one would put up that video and say "good luck!" I would almost guarantee that just about every person would tell them to see a vet. Another point I must make, if you want to breed you have to know this is a risk you are taking. If you aren't prepared to take the baby to a vet, find a breeder in your area that can help you, or someone experienced with this to at least walk you through it over the phone, you shouldn't be breeding. End of story.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

I just have to add this. Ralph never says, 'this is what you should do if you have this problem', like everything else, that's just what he would do. Just because he shows people how to pop/probe a snake doesn't mean he should be held responsible for the idiots who shove the probe through their snake. It's youtube, not vet school.

If anyone came to this site with a problem like that no one would put up that video and say "good luck!" I would almost guarantee that just about every person would tell them to see a vet. Another point I must make, if you want to breed you have to know this is a risk you are taking. If you aren't prepared to take the baby to a vet, find a breeder in your area that can help you, or someone experienced with this to at least walk you through it over the phone, you shouldn't be breeding. End of story.

---

This is a good point. I do agree that every does have to take responsibility for their own actions. And no, I don't think he should be to blame if joe blow decides to "play doctor" and perform "surgery" on a sick BP, but the sad fact is many ignorant people will overestimate their ability and think they are vets. That's very different to me than the people with a lot of experience who can use this video responsibly. I worry for the poor animals that may die from infection because their owners try to "save" them without the necessary knowledge on how to perform this procedure. It's one thing if someone does everything right within their power and the snake still gets an infection, and another if they have no idea what they're doing and then it gets an infection. No, sometimes you can't avoid the infection, but at least when you have the knowledge on how to try to prevent it, you lower the chances of it. It wouldn't be Ralph's fault, it wouldn't be the snake's fault, but the person who thought this video was "cool" NOT educational. Does it mean he should refrain from this in the future? No, not in my opinion because there's a lot of potential value in showing it to those who are serious about this hobby/business and their snakes. It's just my 2 cents on how this is another example of how a good deed can have bad outcomes in the long run.

I think he did a great job. When I was first watching this video I thought to myself I hope this doesnt happen to me. With breeding in my future I know that this is probably going to happen sooner or later, but at least I know that it is possible to stitch up save the animals life. Thanks for the very informative video... at least for me.:gj:

I liked this video becuase its real life. The fact that he use what he has available to save this snake is great.

I find it sad that he is receiving all the flac about how he did it, as far as sterility and stuff. I am of the mind that he did what needed to be done, And really how many breeders have surgical bays, or 500+ vet bills on 50 dollar hatchlings lol.

I see breeders as "farmers" more then pet owners, as such has a different view. I raise chickens and rabbits, so i can tell ya that when I walk in to one of the barns and see a critter that needs what ever it is i do it whether is lancing an absess or crazy glueing a gash shut lol. Bottom line is you take the best steps you can for your critters within the realm of reality.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BroknBusted

Muddoc, while I am truly sorry the vet didn't agree to do the surgery, do you understand there is a reason WHY he refused to give you a suture kit? Because you are not QUALIFIED nor TRAINED to do surgery. If it were that easy, sterile sutures kits would be available in the local pet store or CVS!.

---

actually vets refuse to give people alot of things for differant reasons, they wont give you frontline even with out seeing the vet 1st alot of times and you dont need any training or schooling to apply that.

but while cvs and petsmart do not sell suture kits you can go to most medical supply stores and pick them up np at all. or online works as well
http://www.medexsupply.com/?cPath=29...e=1&result=200

I think it's great. I'm impressed such a young animal is able to be in that situation with her guts hanging out, get stitched up and survive! Pretty sure he knows what he is doing... If anyone follows his videos, knows everything is always cleaned/sterilized, so I'm sure this wasn't an exception!

I know if I were to ever get serious about breeding, and it weren't for him posting a video of and I had a snake hatch in that situation, I would be horrified.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 771subliminal

actually vets refuse to give people alot of things for differant reasons, they wont give you frontline even with out seeing the vet 1st alot of times and you dont need any training or schooling to apply that.

but while cvs and petsmart do not sell suture kits you can go to most medical supply stores and pick them up np at all. or online works as well
http://www.medexsupply.com/?cPath=29...e=1&result=200

---

And then there are vets that will give you anything, I have horse tranqs! But then again, I'm rural, I could probably get anything from the farm vets because they trust me and they know I'm just as capable as they are with the simple things-and they might be lazy, lol. I can't remember what the other med I had in the fridge was, it was for forcing a mare into heat/ovulation, that's way more scary/dangerous than the tranqs, but we, and other horse breeders all have the ability to have it in their possession.

Let me start by saying I think what he did was fine maybe not ideal conditions but after all it saved the life of a baby that surely would have died if left in that condition. I don't think reptiles feel pain in the same way we do so people should not put those kind of burdens on them. I would do the same if I was in his situation try to save it if at all possible no mater what the value of the baby was. But I do wonder how people on this site would have reacted to this video if it was from an unknown breeder and not a big name like Ralph I know he does have lots of experience with BP's but it didn't really come across in this particular video since he tried to jam the yolk in there a few times before removing it. I have watched lots of his videos and I'm glad he makes them. There is allot of great information on them that most of the other big breeders don't share with the community. He seems like a great guy that genuinely cares for his animals and he definitely seems to try to keep everything clean and sanitary as possible. I have never talked with him personally but from what I have read he is very helpful to anyone who asks even if they didn't purchase an animal from him which is more than I can say about some breeders. I hope all the haters out there don't make him stop doing videos for fear of what people will say. Keep doing what your doing Ralph in my opinion your a great part of the reptile community and I wouldn't hesitate to buy an animal from you. :gj:

Maybe Ralph should just put a big disclaimer in the front and back of each video.

Professional ball python breeder DO NOT attempt this at home.

I can see all sides of the argument, and each person has a valid point. Ralph's fans have a good point in that he treated a baby most would have disposed of. Some people also have a point in that this should really have been done by a vet. Others have the point not all vets would even try. And still others are right about any yahoo with a snake watching and suddenly deciding they can preform surgery and who know what else.

So, for my part ? I think Ralph should keep doing what he always has, we as responsible owners should always recommend vet visits, and be grateful we can all express our opinions here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BroknBusted

Again I am glad he saved this snake however I stand by what I said and still believe sterility is a MUST when doing something like this. Washing you hands isn't being sterile! And yes, even in a sterile enviorment things can go wrong, but the chances are MUCH MUCH higher with non-strile technique, instruments and proceedures.

And I also have to wonder, why did this guy not take the snake to a qualified vet? I watch him stuffing the snakes intestines back in without regard to wether there may be a tear in them. Maybe he did that off cam, but I doubt it. Had their been, the snake would have developed sepsis within 24 hours and died a horrible painful death! Surely it isn't because he could not afford a vet.

I think that a video like this, while having a positive outcome, could also be very dangerous when just the average person sees it. It is apparent this guy has tons of experience with snakes. However, I do not, as I am sure at least half the folks who have watched the video do not, and to think someone like that would attempt this proceedure themselves is scary.

Again, before I get slammed, I am glad the snake surivived. But as pointed out by someone here, the guy deals with 20k snakes on a daily basis. He should have paid for a quailified vet to handle something like properly. Do not attempt this on you own!

---

You do what you gotta do. What if the vet was not available, and the baby died before the appointment? He did great!

I give Ralph props all the way. A point I made on his FB page was that most vets, even exotic vets, will never encounter this issue. The breeders like RD who have been keeping snakes for many years and hundreds upon hundreds of snakes at that, are much more experienced than a vet in my opinion..

The only way you would get that kind of expertise anywhere else would be the exotics vets that work for large zoos like The Australia Zoo that Steve Irwins family owns. The average person will never have a vet like that nearby or the $$ to afford it if there was one.

Sterility? We don't know if he sterilized beforehand but I highly doubt he went into this with dirty hands. That is just common sense. Ive known for many years thanks to Steve Irwin that reptiles should never be put under anesthesia.

Al in all, RD did an amazing job and I see absolutely nothing wrong with what he did. Under the circumstances it was most likely the only option anyone would have had.
:gj: :gj: :gj: :gj: :gj: :gj: :gj:

i cant add to the many posts on this except in rgds to the yolk "sac" which if it wasn't for his child he would have stuffed back in, his comments that it would have been digested aren't accurate, if its not inside the stomach/intestinal system it would have started to decay and not digest, or fallen off externally under normal conditions, if it wasn't for the child and the yolk tissue remains were re inserted i believe given the poor hygiene the outcome may have been very different.

he says he has encountered one of these situations once a year, if that, he also says he has done the procedure many many times, u cant have both.

rgds
ed

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BroknBusted

Muddoc, while I am truly sorry the vet didn't agree to do the surgery, do you understand there is a reason WHY he refused to give you a suture kit? Because you are not QUALIFIED nor TRAINED to do surgery. If it were that easy, sterile sutures kits would be available in the local pet store or CVS!

If you had a dog that you felt needed surgery and the vet declined due to the fact the surgery may not work or the dog could suffer more, would you take the dog home and do it yourself?

Even if snakes do not feel pain in the sense that we do, I am willing to bet the feel something. There was a gentleman here who posted of a snake being chewed by a mouse left in the cage. Just about EVERYONE stated this guy should have taken the snake to the vet and some were pretty nasty in how they said it. How is THIS any different? Just because the guy breeds them? He is STILL not a vet!

Again, just because this proceedure done the way he did it worked doesn't make it right. Even if it worked out well 9 of 10 times, the one time that a snake gets an infection due to lack of sterility and proper techniques by someone following his video is one time to many. And thus, irresponsible to show it.

Muddoc, you say this happened to you this past Sat. I truly truly wish you and your snake all the best! However, if you find that tomorrow this snake has a very bad life threating infection, would you STILL agree that what he did was right in HOW he did it ( I am NOT arguing that the snake should not have been saved, just saved by a qualified vet)?

Please keep us updated on your snakes progress and please post pics as well of your sutures on him/her.

---

Actually the reason the Vet would not sell me a Suture Kit, was because there is always a chance that I am housing a fugative that is injured, and I am trying to aide him in his evasion from the law. That is the actual reason. It has nothing to do with the fact that I am or am not trained in using a Suture Kit, which at this point I am still unsure how you know if I am or not. Lastly, while Suture Kits are not available at CVS, they are readily available at most "Feed" stores and are not regulated.

p.s. I have since obtained 2 suture kits, in the event that I need to use one again with no chance of getting help.

In regards to your last question, I have attached a link to the story of my similar situation. It did not happen this Saturday, I just said on a Saturday. This actually happened to me over 3 years ago. I will preface by saying that I was not wearing gloves in my photos either, and I will not defend myself against it. I was clean and sterilized everythig as best as I could. The snake did not get an infection, and I am glad I could intervene when I had the chence.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ighlight=Grace

I am not saying that I don't understand your argument, nor am I saying I disagree. However, this industry was almost completely underground not that long ago, and the sharing of knowledge is what helped many of the older herpers to keep their animals healthy, alive and thriving in capitivity.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShortStack

I agree. And with the farm stories, while you weren't a vet, you had the experience. I think Brokn's concern is more that the INEXPERIENCED herper would attempt this, not having the knowledge necessary to handle the situation. I don't want to put words in his mouth, but that was how I understood his posts.

---

Once again, I am not trying to be argumentative, but how do you think the EXPERIENCED herper got experience. Somewhere along the line, the best surgeon in the world performed surgery for the first time. One only gains experience in one way: by doing. I am not condoning the practice of advanced husbrandry to someone that is not comfortable with what they are doing, but if you think you can be successful at something new, I say give it a shot, as it will always be an experiece builder.

I personally have a really good reptile vet however there are times that things come up that I have delt with that a vet will not have the first bit of experience dealing with. There are some situations that a vet is needed due to the extent of the procedure required, things like a twisted ova-duct inside the animal, or other major trama.

I think Ralph did a bang up job of patching that little girl up. This type of thing isn't going to be done by the average keeper. Why do you ask, the average keeper isn't seeing fresh out of the egg babies, and even the hobbiest breeder isn't likely to see some thing like this.

For those asking if Tim, Ralph, Me, or any one is qualified or trained to sew up a snake I pose a question. Are you a trained chef? I only ask because most feel perfectly comfortable preparing food for themselves and their family. A task that if done wrong carries the risk of infection of the bacterial, and wrommy kind that can kill or harm people. If stored or prepared improperly food is extremely dangerous and yet most people have no reservations jumping in the kitchen and whipping up whatever Alton Brown just made. They do so with no training or schooling and never give it a second thought We pick out our own meat and yet have no formal training by the USDA on what to look for when spotting spoiled or contaminated meats or Veg. So before people start jumping all over Ralph for not being trained I suggest they look at their day to day activities that they engage in like treating themselves or other for illnesses with OTC meds you're neither trained or licensed (required by all states) to dignose or treat any illness and yet we do it all the time, simply home repairs ect ect..there is a time for the professionals to step in but when that is needs to depend on the person who owns the animal.

Also there is another option if they feel comfortable doing this so be it, I've personally had baby snakes die in my hands from far less. If this happens to you and you feel like this is something a vet needs to treat, load it up, have it anesthetized, sewn up, treated with antibiotics, leave a fresh hatched snake with your vet or take it home, then in a few weeks take it back to the vet and have the stitches removed..Bravo..Me I'm going not stress my new born animals out that much. I'm going to wash my hands, poke organs back in the body cavity, throw in a couple of stitches, and set the baby up on moist paper towel. Is it for every one most surly not but neither is bungee jumping, or body mods but I'm not going to sit in judgement of some one with decades more experience than me on a topic that I have no first hand experience with and demand they cease and desist..

ralph did a good job, if i had his experience i would have done the same thing. for him with all those crazy morphs a poss het pied is prolly nothing to him, and he still took the time to give it the attention and sew it back up.

I have not read a single response in this thread. All I have to say is Ralph has plenty of experience keeping snakes and is responsible enough (I assume since he is prominent and successful) to care for this animal in a professional fashion. If he is going to take the time to care for the animal don't you think he most likely took the time to use clean tools? Maybe he should not have used thread and maybe he should have worn gloves. A good hand scrubbing with antibacterial soap is just as good as wearing gloves. People get so myopic that they cant open their mind and use logic to figure out a situation, in my opinion that makes a person sound as dumb as a person who really is. Not trying to offend any one but if you think Ralph just going to pick up a needle and thread out of the "snake surgery drawer" and use dirty hands to close up an open wound then you are pretty stupid.

Mike

My thoughts? Ralph did an excellent job!

In case some of you missed it, the insides where hanging out. Just FYI. You have no idea how far his vet is, what the weather is like (it's Maryland by the way). And, yet you insist he should let the snake wait while he prepares a tub for transport, takes it outside (not sure how that's more sterile, but to each their own), a bumpy car ride to the vets. That could take hours. Do you think those insides are going to wait until you get to the vets to dry? Or, I guess you think he should just moisten some towels for her to wait on. Yeah, so through all this stress now the tub has to be opened every so often to moisten the towels to stay between too wet and too dry.

Sometimes the right decision is not the easiest to make. KUDOS Ralph on a job well done!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by muddoc

Once again, I am not trying to be argumentative, but how do you think the EXPERIENCED herper got experience. Somewhere along the line, the best surgeon in the world performed surgery for the first time. One only gains experience in one way: by doing. I am not condoning the practice of advanced husbrandry to someone that is not comfortable with what they are doing, but if you think you can be successful at something new, I say give it a shot, as it will always be an experiece builder.

---

I agree that to become experienced, you have to DO. There's a difference in just watching a video and thinking, "Dude, that's cool.. I can do that!" and doing it blindly so to speak, and taking the time to study the video and the way that he did the procedure. Like I said, it may look like he was just "stuffing guts" but there may have been some sort of rhyme or reason to it. I think before you can successfully do this you have to either really watch someone who knows what they're doing, talk to someone who knows what they're doing, and/or study and research on the internal organs(how to look for damage or other deformities, stuff like that). It is an experience builder in the right direction if someone has the right REASON for doing it. If they just wanna "play doctor" then it's a dangerous situation. If they want to educate themselves and save a snake responsibly, then go for it. I think in the end we have the same outlook on if someone should try this, because like you said.. Don't try it if you're not comfortable with it. I'm just worried that people will, even if they're not. Once again, he is not responsible for other people's actions, but I worry about the animals that may suffer because of people's carelessness.

I'm by no means criticizing what he did. He did an excellent job and saved the snake. He was very much experienced to handle the situation, and I applaud him for it.

I just watched the videos last night after learning about them in this thread. I was amazed at what I saw. If you're confident and comfortable with doing what needs to be done then go ahead and do it. If it happened to me, I would likely want to observe the procedure first hand so that I had the opportunity to ask questions, etc. but if I had to do it, I would.

Good Job RD! :gj:

Thank you Tim and others for your response.

I would like to say my eyes have been opened to what you all have said. As I had said before, I have been in the medical field for over 20 years. I viewed that video in that mindset, which says HOW Ralph did that was a huge no no . While I think IDEALLY it is still better to use sterile technique, I understand that may not always be a viable option. Maybe, for people such as Tim and Ralph, it would be a good idea to keep sterile (not boxed) gloves on hand JUST for such cases as it is apparent they come up from time to time. JUST to limit any chance of the animal getting an infection on top of the inital problem.

I also never took into consideration the amount of experience that breeders such as Ralph have gained over the years. While I understand that farmers and the like deliver animals or geld horses, I think everyone can agree that this is a HUGE step from those kind of situations. It's is a situation I am THANKFUL I have never found myself in, as I am sure most on here are as well. But I at least now know there is a good chance that kind of thing can be recovered from with a great outcome, and for that I think the video, as well as Tim's post from above, provide a huge service.

Thanks all for respecting my input and providing yours without insult!

And I am glad you snake recovered as well Tim!

I thought that was a pretty awesome and flawless surgery. Was just like watching Discovery Health Channel:P

it bothers no one that the course of this surgery was decided by a child? (and it was a "surgical procedure", when u have ur organs stuffed back in and sewn back up, u have just had surgery), if ralph had succeeded in one of his earlier attempts in pushing the yolk tissue back in, dont u think his poor hygiene and the presence of that tissue (which must be a bacteria's wet dream) would have lead to a different outcome?

rgds
ed

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loxocemus

it bothers no one that the course of this surgery was decided by a child? (and it was a "surgical procedure", when u have ur organs stuffed back in and sewn back up, u have just had surgery), if ralph had succeeded in one of his earlier attempts in pushing the yolk tissue back in, dont u think his poor hygiene and the presence of that tissue (which must be a bacteria's wet dream) would have lead to a different outcome?

rgds
ed

---

Doesn't bother me. The kid was right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

if this was any member here, who performed this backyard surgery, they would have been hung drawn and quartered, it would not have mattered one iota that they were holding the surviving baby 6mths later, u would have tore him/her apart regardless, it seems its not possible for people to be completely honest about ralph davis on a ball python forum, i suppose i was a little naive to think it would be otherwise.

i believe ralph got lucky, nothing more, his son in fact is responsible for the happy outcome, to experience what that neonate went through, pierce ur stomach 8-10 times with a skewer, but please dont put ur dirty fingers in the holes, u may not be as lucky as ralph.

rgds
ed

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loxocemus

if this was any member here, who performed this backyard surgery, they would have been hung drawn and quartered, it would not have mattered one iota that they were holding the surviving baby 6mths later, u would have tore him/her apart regardless, it seems its not possible for people to be completely honest about ralph davis on a ball python forum, i suppose i was a little naive to think it would be otherwise.

i believe ralph got lucky, nothing more, his son in fact is responsible for the happy outcome, to experience what that neonate went through, pierce ur stomach 8-10 times with a skewer, but please dont put ur dirty fingers in the holes, u may not be as lucky as ralph.

rgds
ed

---

First of all his fingers had been cleaned, don't be so melodramtic. Second, there is a big difference between ANY member and someone with more experience than any vet I have ever met.

Ralph made his own luck. He has living proof. Show me something real that proves what he did was wrong. Or, show me a better alternative. Waiting for a vet when this snakes life is on the line? Your post sounds like something peta would say about our rack systems.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loxocemus

if this was any member here, who performed this backyard surgery, they would have been hung drawn and quartered, it would not have mattered one iota that they were holding the surviving baby 6mths later, u would have tore him/her apart regardless, it seems its not possible for people to be completely honest about ralph davis on a ball python forum, i suppose i was a little naive to think it would be otherwise.

i believe ralph got lucky, nothing more, his son in fact is responsible for the happy outcome, to experience what that neonate went through, pierce ur stomach 8-10 times with a skewer, but please dont put ur dirty fingers in the holes, u may not be as lucky as ralph.

rgds
ed

---

WOW!!! you've been a member here for a total of 4 days and you already know our membership so well :gj::gj: Props..

However had you stopped to look and see the RDR is a member here and has been for a while you might think differently.

Not trying to change your mind you're entitled to your opinion..but I will ask that you keep the acquisition's of what the members here will and wont do.

my join date is 02-21-2008, iv no idea where u get 4 days from.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

WOW!!! you've been a member here for a total of 4 days and you already know our membership so well :gj::gj: Props..

However had you stopped to look and see the RDR is a member here and has been for a while you might think differently.

Not trying to change your mind you're entitled to your opinion..but I will ask that you keep the acquisition's of what the members here will and wont do.

---

more experience than any vet u have ever met? no gloves, sewing needle and sewing thread, poor hygiene, no pain relief of any kind, u really need to find a new vet.

i can see why u would think i have a peta opinion on racks, it just shouts itself from the thread, well it would if u weren't the only person to bring it up.

ed

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stratus_020202

First of all his fingers had been cleaned, don't be so melodramtic. Second, there is a big difference between ANY member and someone with more experience than any vet I have ever met.

Ralph made his own luck. He has living proof. Show me something real that proves what he did was wrong. Or, show me a better alternative. Waiting for a vet when this snakes life is on the line? Your post sounds like something peta would say about our rack systems.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loxocemus

more experience than any vet u have ever met? no gloves, sewing needle and sewing thread, poor hygiene, no pain relief of any kind, u really need to find a new vet.

i can see why u would think i have a peta opinion on racks, it just shouts itself from the thread, well it would if u weren't the only person to bring it up.

ed

---

I'm talking experience. Not lack of equipment. And, you still aren't showing me any better alternative. Ralph did what he thought was best, with what he had. I know you think highly of yourself, but you aren't the only person in this thread that thinks it was a bad idea. However, the only one acting so extreme. You sound exactly like the people hating our 30 ft ball pythons, for the fact they are going to take over the US. Facts speak louder than opinion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loxocemus

if this was any member here, who performed this backyard surgery, they would have been hung drawn and quartered, it would not have mattered one iota that they were holding the surviving baby 6mths later, u would have tore him/her apart regardless, it seems its not possible for people to be completely honest about ralph davis on a ball python forum, i suppose i was a little naive to think it would be otherwise.

i believe ralph got lucky, nothing more, his son in fact is responsible for the happy outcome, to experience what that neonate went through, pierce ur stomach 8-10 times with a skewer, but please dont put ur dirty fingers in the holes, u may not be as lucky as ralph.

rgds
ed

---

Some member here DID do this "backyard surgery" to his newborn snake. His name is Mike Cavanaugh and I believe he named that snake Cheerio. Cheerio's heart was beating outside her body, so Mike shoved it back into snake, sutured in the same manner that Ralph did and Cheerio was good to go.

I was too lazy to look for the thread but from what I remember, there was not a single post telling him what a horrible thing he did.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loxocemus

more experience than any vet u have ever met? no gloves, sewing needle and sewing thread, poor hygiene, no pain relief of any kind, u really need to find a new vet.

i can see why u would think i have a peta opinion on racks, it just shouts itself from the thread, well it would if u weren't the only person to bring it up.

ed

---

I have read all your post, haha and no offense but I think you are being EXTREMELY dramatic.

Gloves are not required. Ralph made it clear that everything was clean and his hands were scrubbed prior to recording beginning. He's done this quite a few times (about once a year). The needle and thread don't matter. A few helper stitches do not need special equipment. Pain meds? Very bad idea for herps. Please do some research on the dangers of anesthesia on reptiles. It is not recommended for a number of reasons.

This is actually a very common practice for bigger breeders. I personally know of more than 3 breeders who do this when needed. I'm positive there are more who won't make it public due to the ignorant people..

Farmers can castrate, brand, de worm, do surgical procedures, and otherwise treat animals outside, in dirty surroundings, with no vet on hand...

Military personnel in the field are not going to wait for a Dr to come put their insides in or to patch up their wound..

Grow some common sense please. Yes these people have way more experience than a vet and more than most herp vets. Herp vets are not going to experience something like this in their daily practice.

The schooling and degrees mean nothing without experience.

If you ever have hundreds of snakes and you have a big breeding facility you will know. Until then, you will have no experience. You will not know why it is unreasonable to have a famous zoo herp vet on call to fly out to you for mucho $$$ just to save a $50 snake when you can do it yourself..

So Ralph, Tim, The Sloan Brothers, Mike C, Markus Jayne...these are all people that I can think of hearing or seeing something about them doing a similar procedure. If I'm not mistaken, all animals involved in the stories I've heard have survived. While I'm no Vet, it's simply common sense that A) These critters are a lot hardier than we give them credit for and do in fact have an immune system that will fight off infection and B) don't feel pain as us humans do. Look at how they'll sit on a heat rock, or sit idly while getting chewed on by a rodent. These bastards are tough and can handle stuff like this.

Also idk about y'all, but there may be a decent reptile vet around here...The only one I've ever been to told me to put UV lights on my bp's and accused me of not wanting to spend the money to properly care for my animal when she was treating a $1500 snake. I'm sorry, but I just don't have the trust in someone who doesn't have a clue on how to even care for one of these animals on a basic level, much less one more advanced. If and when I encounter a problem of this nature, which I'm sure I will at some point, you can bet your bottom that I'll be handling it myself.

/rant

I don't understand the fight?? If anyone else had the little guy he would be a popsicle. I'm glad Ralph took a chance on him.

I don't have a You Tube account so I didn't get to see the actual surgery. All I got to see was the out come a baby :snake: still living so I say great job Ralph Davis!

Big kudos to Ralph for everything he did for that little BP.

Wow... that was a truly amazing video (both the before and after)!! I agree with brokn that he should have worn gloves and I think he possibly should have used a stitch kit as opposed to a regular sewing needle (that needle looked huge!).... but he did what he had to and I'm glad the snake is still alive and well! What worries me is whether this is hereditary and if breeding her will cause deformed babies?? Something I would be interested in knowing but obviously Ralph is a highly highly experienced breeder and wouldn't breed her if he thought she was going to produce imperfect babies! Additionally I think some sort of "don't try this at home" thrown in there would be nice but I'm glad it saved that little girls life for sure!! :)