HELP! Dog eating ball python??

[ErinS9715]

Hey everyone so this is very concerning for me, but while I was out, somehow my dog was able to open my ball python's cage and I'm assuming that he got a hold of him. My dog is a full grown lab and my bp was only a few months old, so he was no match for my dog. I can't seem to find any blood on the floor, cage, or on my dog but he had enough time to lick himself and the floor clean if he wanted to. I guess that my question is has anyone ever experienced their dog get a hold of their snake? Any chance that my bp is hiding out somewhere? He's super skiddish and I never see him out of his hide. I've tried searching everywhere in the vicinity that I could think of, but no luck. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[distaff]

If your dog ate the whole snake, it will likely upset his digestion enough for you to know for sure.
My guess is the snake escaped, and hopefully without injury.
There are videos on the many tricks to find snakes lost in your house, just do a search, and your chances of recovering the animal should be better.
Good luck.

Without a photo of your enclosure, I can also imagine that the snake is still in there, even if you found the door open. Is it bare bones, with min substrate, two hides and a water dish, or heavily decorated with cover and "clutter"? Some people like aquarium decor, but the snake can climb into a hollow piece, and get stuck in there.

[Craiga 01453]

Yowsers!!!! I really hope your snake simply escaped. Try looking close to the enclosure, they typically don't go too far. Start close and work your way out. Check EVERYWHERE. They tend to find dark, tight-fitting, warm places to hide, often where we doubt they can fit.


And this isn't a dig on you, but a great oppurtunity for a learning experience...

Enclosures need to be escape proof, because they are escape artist who WILL eventually find their way out.

Also important to point out: snakes and other pets don't mix!!! My other pets (cat, ferrets) are not allowed anywhere near my snakes or their enclosures. My snake room door is closed at all times. If a snake is out, no other pets are.

We see too often people posting pics of their cats sitting on snake enclosures, or snakes with other pets nearby. It's simply a BAD IDEA.

OP, I wish you all the very best finding your snake, hopefully it's simply an escape and you'll find him.
Good luck, please keep us posted.

[pbenner]

I read this first thing when I woke up this morning and thought I was having a nightmare. I really feel for you in this situation. I couple thoughts...

1) I've never met a dog that was chill enough to live in the house that would eat a snaked. They simply don't move fast enough. Unless you have hardware floor near your snake cage, something will be left on the carpet. If you have hardwood or the like, is there saliva all over somewhere near the cage from his licking up his mess?

2) I doubt the dog ate it. Follow the instructions above as best you can. Also, setup a small "hide" with a heat pad under it in the same room and leave it overnight should you not find him. More than one snake has been reacquired this way.

Best of luck.

Paul

[Bogertophis]

I'm betting the snake is hiding, at least I HOPE SO! ...they are WAY better than we are at "hide & seek".

But what happens if you lead your dog (on leash please?) around the area? Most dogs have a "tell"...and most will help you FIND a loose snake, just sayin'.
But do be careful to watch for indications from the dog on where to look, and don't actually let the dog get near the snake!

[ErinS9715]

Thank you all for your suggestions and I appreciate you all taking the time to try to help me and not rail on me about this accident that shouldn't have happened. My lab is a year old and gets into all kinds of trouble if I leave and he's not in his crate. That night he had managed to break out of his crate and somehow get into my bp's cage. I thought that there was no way my dog could get in there and I spent probably 2 hours searching for the little guy and I eventually did find him. He had gotten himself wedged along a bench in the room and other than being shaken up, thankfully he was unharmed. Based on where I found him in the room, I'm guessing that my dog had picked him up thinking that maybe he was a toy and then dropped him at some point. I would've posted that I had found him safe but at that moment it was late and all that I was thinking about was how lucky I was that he was okay. This has definitely taught me some things and I'll make sure to be more cautious in the future.

[Bogertophis]

Great news that your snake is safe, & in time for Thanksgiving... What a nice update! Not every "life lesson" turns out this well.

[Dianne]

So glad this has a happy ending. Great news.

[pbenner]

Woot woot!

Happy for you.

Best,

Paul

[Danger noodles]

Wow I would have had a heart-attack!! I have several pets and I make sure the dogs and cats have 2 closed doors between them and the snakes at all times.

Naw man we’re not here to rip on u! U told the truth and that’s more manly than most people. Glad everything turned out good!!

on a side note my chocolate lab was barking while where were 4 wheeling at the river and suddenly boom!! She jumped up 3 feet of the ground and ran over to me on the side by side and jumped in. We ran her to the vet where she was treated and fine but she was bite by a snake and her whole head was like twice the size. She never went after any snake after that.