Please help!!!!

[ballpythonluvr]

Shelliebear,
I do commend you on all that you are trying to do for this poor animal. Keep calling the vet and you will evetually get through. Jaybunny is right though, if you can't afford the vet visit then it is seriously time to think about doing what is best for the animal. I know this is heartbreaking to hear, but the snake should be given to someone that has the means and finances to take care of him. I wish you the best of luck though hun!

[rabernet]

Have to agree with others - don't love him literally to death. I know you're attached, but don't let that attachment prevent you from doing the right thing by him, which is to find someone else who does have the means to provide for him without having to pawn things off to do so.

But I'm a bit confused, because you initially told me that money wasn't the issue?

[shelliebear]

Money isn't. I have some video game stuff I don't use I can pawn for money. I have money to feed them. I didn't plan on having to make an emergency vet visit because I didn't know he was that sick. I think it's my fault. All mine.
I'm going to try to get a job....I'm so close to being 18. I want to see if I can go live with my brother or something and get a job that way. While living at home and being under 18 I'm not allowed to get a job per my mom's rules.

[shelliebear]

I don't want to give him up! How can I possibly trust that other people won't let this happen when somebody I DID trust already tried to keep him healthy and he got sick? M ybrother is a good person and works hard, and this happened anyway. How can I possibly give them to someone else and not know they're being taken care of? Can't that be just as awful as having a little less money than I need to afford them perfectly?

[Jay_Bunny]

So you are allowed to take on the responsibility of animals but you are not allowed to get a job to make money to care for them? I would sit your mom down and talk to her about you wanting to get a job. Tell her that you want to be able to provide your animals with the best possible care and to do that, you need to get a part time job to earn a little money. If I were the parent of a 17 year old, I would take that as a sign of maturity and help you find a job.

The key thing is that even though you didn't expect to have to make an appointment for a sick snake, when keeping animals, you should expect that at some point, they will need a vet visit (not so much with snakes, but I think the point applies). Have that money ready as a "just in case". My husband and I learned this the hard way. We have many animals and we don't make all that much money. Last year we had some money issues and right around that time, our ferrets all got a virus. We lost two of them, but we had to pay the vet with money we really didn't have to spend and even then, we didn't pay them the day of the appointment (they allowed us to pay later, which we are so thankful for.) Now we know that any of our animals could come down with something or become injured and we are ready in case that happens.

You are doing all you can for this little snake and that is wonderful, but you need to understand that caring for an animal is not just being able to pay for food and bedding. What happens if your power goes out? How will you warm your snakes? What happens if your heat bulb fails or your UTH overheats? These are all things you need to think about if you are going to keep this snake. I would seriously sit down with your mom and tell her that you need to get a job.

Replying to your most recent post: You may not want to give him up, but that may be in his best interest. If you are worried for his safety, then re-home him to someone who knows what they are doing. Don't give him to just anyone. I have rescued snakes before from people who could not care for their snakes properly and those snakes are now doing wonderfully. There are people out there who know what they are doing. Tell them about this forum. Print out some caresheets.

[shelliebear]

I can't get a job because "I didn't even graduate high school, what makes me think I can possibly hold down a job."
:/
I want to care for them so bad and I know I need a job to do it. My birthday is February 15th and then I could get a job...

[shelliebear]

I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be whiney, but I do think a lot of people will judge me based on how I care for my animals and my dedication. I just want to explain that until February it's not my choice. I swear I'm willing t odo anything for my animals. At this point I'm restricted in what I can do.
Soapbox done.

[ballpythonluvr]

The most responsible thing you can do right now is just to find someone that has the means and the finances to care for that poor snake. There has got to be someone that can take him. While you may be attached to him you also need to realize that he is not going to get better if he does not recieve medical attention ASAP.

[Jay_Bunny]

Again, I'd sit your mother down and talk to her. Getting a job without finishing high school can be hard though, even if you are 18. Most places require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Maybe you could compromise with her. Tell her that you'd like to get a job and in return for being allowed to do so, you'd like to take online classes to get your GED. If your mother is providing you with money to feed your snakes (since you have games and such, I'm assuming she is the one buying them for you), maybe tell her that if you were allowed to get a job, she wouldn't have to purchase items for your snakes. Show responsibility. Show her you are mature enough to handle a job.

Replying to your most recent post: No one is going to judge you for things beyond your control. You took in a snake because you are a good person and you cared, but you find yourself unable to provide everything the snake needs to be healthy and happy. No one is going to judge you because of that. If they do, they are stupid. BUT, you do need to think about what is best for the snake. If you cannot provide proper care, you need to find the snake a new home. I know its hard. You become attached, especially when you are having to put so much effort and care into an animal that is sick and needs you. But in the end, it is up to you to do the right thing for the animal.

[zina10]

I'm trying to sit on my hands and not reply, but here goes anyway...

You are young, but even at your age you know responsibility. You aren't doing the snake any good by giving in to hysterics about how much you love and connect to him and can't leave him be...

His temps are not good, as a matter of fact, you aren't even SURE what they are. The snake has a lot of stress, due to non-ideal husbandry, moving, handling, etc etc. This stress CAN kill if you don't manage to turn things around.

Since you love him, do whats best for HIM. Not yourself. Saying "why can't it be me, not him" makes no sense. How can you take care for others, when it would be you that would be down...

Your best bet for now would be to make him a SMALL quarantine enclosure, I used to do that for sick rescues. Get a rubbermaid container, put some air holes in, put it on a heating pad (human ones are fine) Make sure only half of the container sits on the heating pad and CHECK THE TEMPS several times before putting the snake in. You can get a digital thermometer with probe for that purpose. I placed the sick rescue on a soft and thick bath towel for substrate, since it was cushy and held the warmth nicely. Plus it gave the snake a sense of security, being able to kind of burrow a bit into it. The container was then covered by another towel.

Again, its important to make sure the temps are correct !!!! Put the probe on to the hot spot. The smaller container will make the snake feel safe and it will hold the temps much better and not have drafty cold areas, like a glass tank might. A

Get the heating pads with "settings" . They are only like $15 or so...they usually have a soft cover and won't melt the rubbermaid. Put it on the low setting or better yet, connect it to to a dimmer or rheostat.

You cannot afford to "guess" the temps or "assume" they should be in acceptable ranges.

Getting a quarantine setup does take some funds, but really not that much at all. Also make sure the lid closes securely. Check the temps throughout the day, make sure they stay stable. I know I keep stressing all that, but it is that important...

If you cannot provide what the little one needs, and you say you love him, then love him enough to let someone else save him.

Put your time and efforts into finishing high-school ( GED )so you can eventually take care of yourself and all your beloved animals without worry. I know you can do it

Good luck with the little one.