Yafe Is Gone

[dakski]

We had to euthanize Yafe today. He would have been 9 years old next month.

We spent most of last night/this morning at the emergency vet and then much of today at our regular reptile vet. Yesterday, when I went to change Yafe's water and check temps (I was going to feed last night), he looked very off. Sunken and in a weird position. I thought he was gone. We got him into a container and to the emergency vet (the one who sees reptiles on a Sunday night in a 2 hour radius). He was like spaghetti. He was barely moving. A week ago he was out and hanging (literally) with/literally a friend of mine, seemingly fine.

When we got to the emergency vet late last night, he was slightly better, but not much. She felt he was stable and to have the reptile vet we know (who is amazing and spayed Solana recently) look at him first thing today. I thought he'd be gone by the time we got there.

The vet today was shocked. Long story short, he almost assuredly had cancer, and likely leukemia. They are running pathology and performing a necropsy to make sure it is nothing that can affect the other reptiles. They all seem totally fine, and it was likely cancer, but better safe than sorry.

The vet discussed the idea of running pathology and seeing if there were any treatment options, but his kidney's were failing and multiple blood samples showed there was little doubt he would not last long. We all decided he likely wouldn't even make it to see the pathology results if we chose to go that route.

We made the decision for him not to suffer and sent him over the rainbow bridge.

Yafe was incredibly special not only because he was an amazing snake, but also because we nursed him back to health as a yearling after he developed an RI during shipment (his package was lost).

He was about 100G then and was about easily 25X that size and about 7 feet when he passed today.

I am gutted. Totally devastated. The vet said there was nothing I could have done differently and anticipates no issues with pathology regarding the rest of the crew. However, I am in shock and feel he was taken too soon.

For those unfamiliar, this a link to his thread: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ression-Thread

RIP buddy.

[Bogertophis]

Oh my god, I'm so sorry to hear this...such a sudden loss from not only an apparently healthy snake but one that practically glowed with health. Yes, this was most assuredly much too soon, I know you're devastated but I hope you know there's nothing you could have done. It's just horribly bad luck, I'm so sorry for your loss...you did SO much to help Yafe grow into a big beautiful adult, & it's so unfair that you lost him like this, way too soon.

You did the right thing not letting him suffer, but really, I'm almost as shocked as you obviously are. Hugs! It sure would be nice to know what actually happened- especially as fast as this was.

[Bogertophis]

What did the multiple blood samples show? Any chance he was accidentally exposed to some sort of toxic substance? I've just never really lost a snake like this- so fast. And cancer? Usually you'd see weight loss, & more gradual symptoms, wouldn't you? Not disputing your vets, just wondering. It makes no sense to me.

[Bogertophis]

By the way, when I first saw only the title of this thread, I assumed he had somehow escaped...it never occurred to me that he might have passed.

Rest in peace, beautiful Yafe. You were loved & admired.

[dakski]

Oh my god, I'm so sorry to hear this...such a sudden loss from not only an apparently healthy snake but one that practically glowed with health. Yes, this was most assuredly much too soon, I know you're devastated but I hope you know there's nothing you could have done. It's just horribly bad luck, I'm so sorry for your loss...you did SO much to help Yafe grow into a big beautiful adult, & it's so unfair that you lost him like this, way too soon.

You did the right thing not letting him suffer, but really, I'm almost as shocked as you obviously are. Hugs! It sure would be nice to know what actually happened- especially as fast as this was.

Boger,

Thank you. I am beyond words, really. I've lost pets suddenly before and it is always terrible. Not that it isn't horrible when they pass "expectedly," but there is a special pain with losing a younger animal and out of the blue. I lost my father the same way. He dropped dead at 58, on a holiday no less. It was unexpected and he was seemingly healthy. He was taken from me, not lost.

I know I did right by Yafe. I cannot describe how hard it was to see him that weak. Honestly, I am just glad he did not die in his carrier. I am glad he did not have to suffer any more than he already had.

I did say goodbye to him at the vet and he was clearly not himself. However, my last memory of him is not one as bad as the night before. He rallied a little to say goodbye, or more likely, to mask how sick he was in a new environment.

What did the multiple blood samples show? Any chance he was accidentally exposed to some sort of toxic substance? I've just never really lost a snake like this- so fast. And cancer? Usually you'd see weight loss, & more gradual symptoms, wouldn't you? Not disputing your vets, just wondering. It makes no sense to me.

Boger,

It can be hard to accept things like this and especially when he seemed fine recently. As you know, animals can mask pain/discomfort, but also sometimes things build and then crash down. It looks like this was a combination of the two.

He had no exposure to anything that could have created toxicity. No chemicals in the house, no food other than F/T rats from a reputable source, etc.

I will point to several data points:

1. His behavior two days ago and total lack of control of his body. I thought he had something neurological. He was on death's door.

2. He had weird urate a week ago, and combined with the following data points, it makes sense that something was wrong. I noted it and if it happened again, I would have sent a picture to the vet. However, in isolation and without the benefit of hindsight, what should I have thought? Not that there was anything I would have been able to do. The vet was shocked as well. He ran multiple tests and repeatedly he was so surprised.

3. White blood cell count was through the roof. Significantly higher than an infection, according to the vet.

4. Blood smear showed abnormalities consistent with cancer. It was unclear exactly what kind, hence pathology, but whether it originated in the bone marrow or the lymphatic system, is irrelevant. I cannot describe exactly what, but Katie (who was in the medical field) understood. Something about the way the blood cells looked.

5. Lymphocytes and another marker or two (I do not remember what others) were incredibly high.

6. His calcium was so high the vet thought he might be a she and egg bound. That was not the case. Yafe was a male.

7. Uric acid was also incredibly high. Something was causing kidney issues but it was not clear what. Ultra sound was inconclusive and then the blood smear and other blood tests were done.

I cannot emphasize enough what I saw the night before he passed and even when I said goodbye. This was not Yafe. This was an incredibly sick animal. I've kept snakes for 30+ years and this was not even close to normal. As sad and hard to accept as it is, I have no doubts we did the right thing. He would not have made it much longer on his own.

By the way, when I first saw only the title of this thread, I assumed he had somehow escaped...it never occurred to me that he might have passed.

Rest in peace, beautiful Yafe. You were loved & admired.

I hear you. We are in total shock.

Thank you for the kind words. Given how sick he was when we got him, I feel blessed that we had him this long and got to see him grow into a handsome adult. That doesn't change my sorrow or numbness and shock, but there is some solace in that and knowing he had a good life with us and probably longer than if other people had gotten him as a sick yearling.

[Lord Sorril]

I'm sorry to read about your loss!
I keep a lot of snakes and I'm always sad when one crashes out of the blue...

My first thought based on your description was kidney failure due to an aggressive bacterial infection, but cancer can disable the immune system and sometimes it is a combination of both.

[Homebody]

I am gutted. Totally devastated. The vet said there was nothing I could have done differently and anticipates no issues with pathology regarding the rest of the crew. However, I am in shock and feel he was taken too soon.

For those unfamiliar, this a link to his thread: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ression-Thread

RIP buddy.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm just shocked. Yafe looked gorgeous in the pics you posted to his progression thread less than 3 weeks ago! It's scary how quickly things can turn. Condolences to you and your family.

[Bogertophis]

At least you got enough information from the blood work done to know that this was truly just out of your hands. I can see where leukemia, some sort of massive infection & kidney failure all fit. 9 years was not old for this kind of snake, not at all, & he looked the picture of health until this. So sorry.

But as you know, he had a MUCH longer life than he likely otherwise would have, thanks to you. This loss was no reflection on the care you've shown him.

[mlededee]

I am so sorry. He was an absolutely incredible looking animal and I know that he had the very best possible care with you.

I know the pain and shock of losing an animal unexpectedly and it hits in a way that is unlike anything else. Sending good thoughts your way.

[bcr229]

I'm so very sorry. It is heartbreaking to lose an animal that young, especially after putting so much care into it as a rescue. Yafe never knew a bad day with you.

One of my BRB's was diagnosed with cancer late last year. To look at her now you'd never know there's anything wrong; she still eats voraciously, sheds perfectly, is active, handleable, etc. Her only symptom is a few drops of blood in her stool and even that is intermittent. Unfortunately due to her age (20+) and the location of the growth the vet suggested palliative care rather than surgery.