Please help

I'm frantic. My ball python has been loose for nearly two weeks.. and I found her today, by closing the bathroom door on her head.

She's still alive, but is in obvious pain. I didn't see her there until I turned around to lock the door. The door got her right after her eyes, so her muzzle/nose/jaw was crushed. She's making a popping sound when she breathes.

I have NO WAY to get her to a vet until the morning. Should I just euthanize her now?? Is there anyway she can come back from this?? Please help me.

Pictures I believe will help a lot.

I'm so sorry this happened, and I hope everything will be ok with her :(

I second pictures. We really can't make an informed decision without seeing the snake.

I will get photos. Give me a few minutes. :(:(:(

She's very jerky, but I tried to get decent photos. You can see where the door closed on her...

I tired to get a video of when she breathes, but It didnt come out well, and I didnt want to stress her out more.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...snakehurt1.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...snakehelp3.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...akehelp2-1.jpg

Poor baby!! :tears::tears::tears:

Is that stuck shed on the nose, or is that crushed from the door? :tears:

Tough to tell by those pictures...I would get it to a vet tomorrow and discuss the best route to take.

I would just get her to a vet in the morning. She isn't bleeding, and you won't know what is or isn't broken without an x-ray. I know you don't want her to suffer, but I'd hate for you to put her down without really knowing what the damage is. Good luck and keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Poor baby!! :tears::tears::tears:

Is that stuck shed on the nose, or is that crushed from the door? :tears:

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That's where the door got her. :(

I know she's in pain, but I just don't know what to do!! I hate to make her wait until tomorrow morning!

If she is showing obvious signs of distress(writhing and flipping over onto her back, for instance) and you can euthanize in a method that will not cause more distress, then it might be best.

It's difficult to help make the decision when we aren't watching the snake. if the door closed on her hard enough, she may have broken bones. Snakes have a lot of flexibility, so maybe she's just badly bruised up. That would probably take an Xray to determine, but then, most vets probably can't do surgery to pin bones as tiny as a snake's facial bones would be.. so again, it's going to be a difficult decision.

Good luck, and I'll be thinking good thoughts for a positive outcome.

I would wait and take her to the vet and see what he or she says.

Well, I think if the only damage is there around the nose-mouth area it may not be life threatening as long as you get her to the vet first thing as soon as possible. Like others said, she isn't bleeding, she may be breathing uncomfortably because her nose may be damaged, but the vet may have other options for you to save her....I'd hate for you to put her down and find out she could have been saved, or the damage wasn't as bad as you thought :tears: Whatever you decide pleeeease keep us updated, I feel so bad for her, don't beat yourself up about it either....accidents happen unfortunately :tears:

I would wait too... but it is a hard decision... good luck you are in my prayers

:( Aww!

I would start by taking a few deep breaths and clear your head a bit. She's obviously not in so much pain she wont let you touch her.

How close of a fit is the bathroom door? If it was only a little scrunch, it may not be a euth-worthy injury. Cause alot of scrapes and outside icky, but may not have done much internally.

Wait till morning, leave her be. The less stress the better. Get to the vets and see what they say.

Thank you everyone.

I will keep you guys posted. She's my first ball python, and I was hoping to pick up another one in two weeks at Repticon, but now I'm just upset and worried.

Hopfully the vet will give me some pain meds for her and just tell me to keep an eye on her and that she will be okay..

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Originally Posted by Xotik

:( Aww!

I would start by taking a few deep breaths and clear your head a bit. She's obviously not in so much pain she wont let you touch her.

How close of a fit is the bathroom door? If it was only a little scrunch, it may not be a euth-worthy injury. Cause alot of scrapes and outside icky, but may not have done much internally.

Wait till morning, leave her be. The less stress the better. Get to the vets and see what they say.

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The door closed SHUT completely on her. There was a tiny gap, and I think that's where her eyes were so that they didnt get smashed..

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Originally Posted by Cupid

The door closed SHUT completely on her. There was a tiny gap, and I think that's where her eyes were so that they didnt get smashed..

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:( Well, all you can do is wait. Don't mess with her, let her do her own thing. Get her to the vet as early as possible and as stress-less as possible (kinda hard, but try)

And breathe! Accidents happen. *hug*

=[ You guys are great! thank you all so much for the quick responses. I will get her to a vet asap and see what can be done.

Good luck! You two will be in my thoughts. Hope the vet brings good news! :hug:

You both will be in my thoughts and prayers as well. So sorry this happened to you! I hope the vet is reassuring tomorrow.... :hug:

I hope all goes well with the vet. And as everyone else has said please keep us updated! Good luck :tears:

Hey everyone, I have good news!

Friendly is going to be okay! She was only a little bruised up and looked worse on the outside,then on the inside. :D

I'm so happy that my little girl is going to be okay!

That is awesome news. Please keep us updated on her progress.

Great news...glad you didn't rush to judgement!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cupid

Hey everyone, I have good news!

Friendly is going to be okay! She was only a little bruised up and looked worse on the outside,then on the inside. :D

I'm so happy that my little girl is going to be okay!

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I'm SOOOOO happy you decided to wait for the vet trip. This is such good news, congrats! I wish her a swift recovery :D

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cupid

Hey everyone, I have good news!

Friendly is going to be okay! She was only a little bruised up and looked worse on the outside,then on the inside. :D

I'm so happy that my little girl is going to be okay!

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More banana dancers are in order.
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

I'm so glad you waited. I was hoping that was exactly the case. If she has any more scratchy looking scales, they will probably shine out when she sheds next, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Congrats on her being alright! :)

Now - may I suggest a tow strap tie-down for a lid restraint? I use them on all my houdini snakes, and no one has ever escaped one of those. :)

OMG, this was the worst/best thread I've ever read. I'm SOOO glad she's okay!

Another good reason to leave it up to the doctors/professionals!

Hey everyone! Friendly is doing great now. She's even had a meal since the accident!

Here are some pictures of took of her tonight:

She's helping me with my medical terminology homework. :)

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...uff/frrr-1.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...ndlyyyyyyy.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...frieennnnn.jpg

Nice tongue pic! I'm glad she's doing so well. :gj:

Well my goodness, she doesn't look as if anything had happened now.

Gale

I'm glad that you waited for the vet trip and that everything turned out fine...:gj:

WHEW! I was getting really sad until you posted that she was okay! :banana::banana::banana:

Now dont let her get out again!!!!! Fix the problem and if for some reason she ever gets out again, be careful shutting doors! And walking! And sitting down! Just be careful with everything lol.

Just read about this, a little late, but I love a story with a happy ending.

Glad to hear your little one is okay, and thank your for the update.

Oh my gosh! Read through this im so glad your snake made it# love to see people take reps to the vet, there pets too! Love the happy ending you made my night