culling adult bps

[spitzu]

what does the vet do to euthanize a snake? a CO2 chamber?

We had to take a girl in last year and they did it via injection to the heart.

[rlditmars]

I realize the notion that we can understand the level of pain being induced is subjective, as no BP will ever be able to convey the experience, thus we guess. That being said, there are a few pressumptions that I tend to side with, one being that freezing a reptile would be slow and agonizing as they are cold blooded and the metabolism for such animals, works in the way it does.

Aside from that, lets assume that the neurological pain sensory systems are similar. I would think a needle puncturing the heart would be extremely uncomfortable.

Further, while I agree that lower metabolic animals take a longer time to quit showing involuntary movement, I would be surprised to discover there would be any real pain associated with decapitation on either of the two segments. My logic though unprovable, is simply because the trauma would cause shock, which at least in mammals, manifests in the form of numbness. Just my $0.02 which is as worthless as anyone's opinion on what a BP feels.

[mackynz]

My logic though unprovable, is simply because the trauma would cause shock, which at least in mammals, manifests in the form of numbness.

Like you said, we can't really know. But if humans are an indication, shock doesn't always set in. It is different for everyone.

Regardless, the day you have to put any animal down is not a good one.

[Mike41793]

Cut its head off as swiftly as possible would be the most humane way i would imagine. If it was obviously suffering i wouldnt have a problem doing it myself. If i wasnt sure then i would take it to a vet. If they thought the best option would be to cull it then i would probably still do it myself at home by cutting off its head. A needle to the heart sounds wayyyyy more painful than a quick guillotine type execution imo.
I remember reading somewhere that after decapitation scientists estimate humans still remain alive for a second or two. Idk if thats true or not or how it works with snakes though. Or how anyone would know that lol...?

[mackynz]

I remember reading somewhere that after decapitation scientists estimate humans still remain alive for a second or two. Idk if thats true or not or how it works with snakes though. Or how anyone would know that lol...?

I've read things about old beheadings where people would talk shortly after it happened. And some accounts of car accident victims seeing severed heads moving their eyes around.

As far as snakes, I saw a video from the Sweetwater round-up recently
The head stays very much alive.

[satomi325]

I've euthanized a few small animals with a cardiac injection. None of those animals were conscious during the procedure.
I've never observed or experienced putting down a snake, but I imagine most are anethesized first. In some states its illegal to give a cardiac injection on a fully conscious and awake animal.

Depending on the vet, many small animal pets(ferrets, rats, guinea pigs, etc etc) are euthanized in the same manner since finding a vein can be hard for intravenous injections.



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[Mike41793]

I've read things about old beheadings where people would talk shortly after it happened. And some accounts of car accident victims seeing severed heads moving their eyes around.

As far as snakes, I saw a video from the Sweetwater round-up recently
The head stays very much alive.

I forgot to add this to my first post, but i also think thats why youre supposed to follow decapitation with stabbing the knife into the brain to fully kill them. (Im not the best with words so i know that sounds gruesome but whatever lol.)

And thats crazy. I would still choose decapitation over a needle to the heart though personally!

[WingedWolfPsion]

1) Instantaneous destruction of the brain. Reptile brains are small, so crushing is probably the safest way to ensure that this is humane and fast. It's absolutely HORRIBLE...but this is about eliminating suffering, and not our feelings, isn't it?

2) Euthanasia by a vet--the snake will have to endure the stress of transport, and a needle stick, but then the anaesthetic should kick in. Don't let a vet inject your snake into the heart without using an anaesthetic first, that's just cruel.

3) Freezing, decapitation, CO2, etc--all cruel.

Decapitated snakes' heads have been known to react defensively to stimuli, which means the head isn't just still alive, it's fully conscious. Stabbing it in the brain AFTER you cut off its head is a bit too late, isn't it?

Not the most pleasant subject, but probably an important one.

[mackynz]

1) Instantaneous destruction of the brain. Reptile brains are small, so crushing is probably the safest way to ensure that this is humane and fast. It's absolutely HORRIBLE...but this is about eliminating suffering, and not our feelings, isn't it?

I agree completely, on our end it is messy and terrible sounding. But complete destruction of brain tissue would solve the pain thing. Cranial caps or something...