Thoughts on Ralph Davis' newest controversial youtube video?

[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.

[ShortStack]

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.

[Toten]

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.

[Hilltop]

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.

[771subliminal]

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

[piper]

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.

[SlitherinSisters]

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.

[jason79]

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.

[angllady2]

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.

[Swingline0.0.1]

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!