Not looking good.. Deformed hatchlings

[Solarsoldier001]

Thank you for your kind words. I have heard of this being more common with Albinos, but maybe that's just coincidence. Due to the severity of their condition it looks like euthanasia is the only option. I am not sure on what is the best way to euthanize and will have to do some research...

I honestly don't know what the right way is. But my boyfriend did a ton of research. And called the vets and talk to a lot of breeders. And we ended up doing it in the freezer. The vet said that's the way they do it. Reptiles are cold blooded and when they get cold they fall asleep. They said if we took them there and paid them the $75 for each animal that's what they would have ended up doing. I don't know if that was the right way. But that's the way we ended up doing it. And being in the position we were in and the emotional state we were in. We didn't want them to suffer anymore. I just hope that was the right choice. Either way it's a terrible situation. With difficult decisions


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[bcr229]

I honestly don't know what the right way is. But my boyfriend did a ton of research. And called the vets and talk to a lot of breeders. And we ended up doing it in the freezer. The vet said that's the way they do it. Reptiles are cold blooded and when they get cold they fall asleep.

Several scientific studies over the last few years have shown this to be false and freezing has not been considered a humane form of euthanasia for several years. The reptiles become torpid but they don't go to sleep, they feel themselves freeze which is not only very painful, but because they're cold they can't move. Unfortunately a lot of vets haven't gotten the word so the misinformation that freezing is humane continues to spread.

Euthanasia should be as quick and painless as possible for the animal. For a snake you're looking at pithing or totally destroying the brain. It's not surprising that people shy away from it - it's brutal, it can be messy, and it's emotionally difficult to destroy a life that you planned months or even years to create.

[Galaxygirl]

Here's the group. There's a very tiny Killer Bee in the boob egg, still alive for now.. A beautiful Bumble Bee died in its egg last night, otherwise it looks like we got two Killer Queen Bees, a Super Pastel Lesser, Spider, and Pastel Lesser? (Or maybe it's just a Pastel Lesser and Lesser)

[CORBIN911]

Several scientific studies over the last few years have shown this to be false and freezing has not been considered a humane form of euthanasia for several years. The reptiles become torpid but they don't go to sleep, they feel themselves freeze which is not only very painful, but because they're cold they can't move. Unfortunately a lot of vets haven't gotten the word so the misinformation that freezing is humane continues to spread.

Euthanasia should be as quick and painless as possible for the animal. For a snake you're looking at pithing or totally destroying the brain. It's not surprising that people shy away from it - it's brutal, it can be messy, and it's emotionally difficult to destroy a life that you planned months or even years to create.

Not only that, but during freezing their cells explode pretty much. As he said, Pithing is the best way, Unless euthanized by drugs from vet.

[Galaxygirl]

Does anyone have instructions on how to pith a snake? I can't find any information on it.. Or would it be easier to use CO2? I'm not sure if that's what rodent breeders use, honestly wasn't prepared for something like this.

[Kibbleswhites]

Does anyone have instructions on how to pith a snake? I can't find any information on it.. Or would it be easier to use CO2? I'm not sure if that's what rodent breeders use, honestly wasn't prepared for something like this.

Hatchlings are pretty simple. Put baby in a folded paper towel then into a sandwich bag, note where head is. It will be still and calm because it is dark and safe in there. Completely smash head with any tool or your thumb. It does not take much to do and the towel should be wet when the job is done well. It is very fast and the hatchlings that I have done this way due to severe kinking and jaw deformaties have gone very fast with nearly no twitching afterwards. Since it is already in a bag, there is no mess or gore to see. It happens, even when you have done everything right.

[Fraido]

Hatchlings are pretty simple. Put baby in a folded paper towel then into a sandwich bag, note where head is. It will be still and calm because it is dark and safe in there. Completely smash head with any tool or your thumb. It does not take much to do and the towel should be wet when the job is done well. It is very fast and the hatchlings that I have done this way due to severe kinking and jaw deformaties have gone very fast with nearly no twitching afterwards. Since it is already in a bag, there is no mess or gore to see. It happens, even when you have done everything right.

Eugh. Gosh, is there a less brutal way to do it?

[Eric Alan]

Eugh. Gosh, is there a less brutal way to do it?

As brutal as it sounds, complete cranial destruction is the most humane way to do it.

[John1982]

Eugh. Gosh, is there a less brutal way to do it?

When doing at home/emergency euthanasia, the goal is to destroy the brain. You can use a shotgun, a hammer, a screwdriver, an icepick, etc. Unless you're competent in the process, causing broad range damage is your best bet at getting the job done without causing additional pain. I use a pocketknife because I've always got one on me and when I have something that needs to be put down, waiting around isn't doing either of us any favors.

[bks2100]

Hatchlings are pretty simple. Put baby in a folded paper towel then into a sandwich bag, note where head is. It will be still and calm because it is dark and safe in there. Completely smash head with any tool or your thumb. It does not take much to do and the towel should be wet when the job is done well. It is very fast and the hatchlings that I have done this way due to severe kinking and jaw deformaties have gone very fast with nearly no twitching afterwards. Since it is already in a bag, there is no mess or gore to see. It happens, even when you have done everything right.

How much pressure does it take with your thumb? This is something I hope I don't have to do ever, but I realize I'll probably do it at least once in my life. I even felt a little bad killing some rats with co2 even though the alternative would be feeding them live to a snake (which is a much worse way to go imo). I've read about a hammer and everything but I've hit a few nails before and my aim is not something to brag about. While I'd hate to feel the squish I'd feel better knowing it was done right and done quickly with the animal feeling as little pain as possible.