Busch Gardens ball procedure...Very cool!

[FireBri]

We were at Busch Gardens, Tampa, yesterday. While watching a hyena diet presentation at the animal care pavilion, we got to watch an unexpected procedure on a ball python. One of their resident balls named Thor (29 yo male) had a hard mass around the cloaca. We got to watch the park vet clear an impacted gland in the surgical suite. They allow you to view the entire surgical suite through a glass front, and have ceiling mounted cameras that give you an up-close view on high def screens. You can even talk to the vet afterwards. As ball python owners ourselves, it was a unique experience.

[Mike41793]

Thats sweet! Sounds very interesting.

[BHReptiles]

That sounds amazing! Did the little guy pull through?

[FireBri]

Oh yeah, from the way it sounded, it wasn't that serious. The vet likened it to the glands around the anus of a dog that get impacted/blocked sometimes. He pretty much cleared it with pressure around the area and a cotton-tipped swab, and a couple assistants holding him still.

[GummiBear]

That's some great timing. That would be very Kewl!

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[BHReptiles]

Oh yeah, from the way it sounded, it wasn't that serious. The vet likened it to the glands around the anus of a dog that get impacted/blocked sometimes. He pretty much cleared it with pressure around the area and a cotton-tipped swab, and a couple assistants holding him still.

That's good to hear! I'm glad he's doing better. What a great thing to watch!

[WarriorPrincess90]

I love the animal care center. My fiancé and I go often right when the park opens just to watch the procedures. It was a very cool addition to the park. I wish I would have gotten to see the procedure on Thor though. That's awesome! I did see them look at a coral snake once who had a mass. That was cool. But a ball hits a little closer to home.

[gsarchie]

What a treat! Did it make you want to get into veterinary medicine at all? I have a feeling that it would for me!

[Coleslaw007]

That's so awesome! Sounds like a cool experience and you lucked out.

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