URGENT Blood Python Very Sick

[Bogertophis]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and advice. She unfortunately was gone by Saturday morning. I've kind of been in shock and unable to muster up enough to type this post until now.

We have her body refrigerated at the moment in the hopes to get an autopsy done. Of course, with the weekend, snow storm, and a federal holiday, we're having to wait until tomorrow (Tuesday) for anywhere to be open.

I have concerns that it could be something contagious and would feel better if we're able to rule that out for the sake of our other snakes. And if I can learn whether or not a mistake was made I'd feel more confident so I won't repeat it.

We had only had her in our care for about a month, and in that time she revealed that she had mites as well as developed symptoms (constant urination) within 2 weeks. She was also very vocal as soon as we brought her home, but we had heard that bloods are louder in general so it didn't concern me. Now I'm starting to wonder if she had respiratory issues, she did a lot of huffing and her breathing was usually very audible.

In your experiences, is it a waste of money to get an autopsy done for a snake? I've been quoted anywhere from $100 - $300. I reached out to the breeder we got her from, asking if they would help cover some of the cost for the sake of their collection as well and in an effort to maintain civility. However it doesn't look like they are wanting to work on a solution with this, and they are quite defensive. I was already unhappy having been sold a snake with mites. Every time we went to pick up supplies etc from them they were always very specific about meeting us outside and not wanting us in the house as well (which I understand for quarantine procedures, but it was a little suspicious that we weren't allowed to see how she was kept at all). I most certainly won't be buying from them again, and if the autopsy was to come back showing it was something she had prior to our care, I'll likely be posting a beware about them.

I'm so sorry that she didn't make it. It wasn't looking good, but you never know. I was curious, but I didn't want to ask you about her condition because I guessed that you just weren't ready to talk about it...so sorry.

I commend you for wanting a necropsy done to get some answers, to learn from mistakes IF there were any but especially to protect your other snakes & to know more about the source of this poor snake. The mites were a big red flag. I'm really not surprised that they're not willing to share your cost. (They could have shown you pictures without jeopardizing their quarantine. )

From your other post, I really doubt that it was anything you did wrong. I hope you know that we were just trying to throw out some ideas as to possible reasons for the odd symptoms you were seeing & at the time, we had very limited information to go on. Again, sorry for your loss. I sure hope you get some answers.