broken back

[murrayanddig]

i have a small carpet python from western SA that has been run over by a car. it's got a bit of a broken bit just above the vent and appears to be dragging this bit around. it seems ok, but i would like to know if anyone has any advice or suggestions about what i could do to ensure its survival.

 

[Justie]

Omg i have exactly the same situatio here!!!

 

[Nagraj]

You can't ensure it's survival I'm afraid. If it has a crushed spine and other internal injuries it's cruel to allow it to suffer. Take it to a vet for a proper appraisal if possible or euthanase it yourself.

 

[murrayanddig]

"ensure" may have been a bad choice of words, the snake is from the Yalata indigenous protected area, far west of SA, and they are really rare out here , we have spoken to vets and national parks. i just thought on a forum such as this that someone may have had a similar experience and could offer some help to save it. the museum would be fine with a dead one, they would like the body and gps point, but we would like to see it back in the bush or at the very least in captivity educating people about rare wildlife out this way

 

[pythons73]

That is a tragic story,wouldnt the snake be in a fair bit of pain,i couldnt possibly imagine how i would feel with a broken back,as much as i hate the thought,wouldnt euthanasing be the better joice,i understand you said theres not many out that way,think of the snake,good luck.

 

[redbellybite]

CANT MEND BROKEN BACKS!!..........some injuries may look horrific but can be mended or adjusted hence a tail lop ,,,but if its a true back brake it cant be mended.....you need a vet check to make sure it is and get their opinion on this matter... .if its just ribs you can remove and the snake should heal ok but honestly if its back is done, you might as sad as it will be, think about getting it put down.....

 

[-Peter]

CANT MEND BROKEN BACKS!!..........some injuries may look horrific but can be mended or adjusted hence a tail lop ,,,but if its a true back brake it cant be mended.....you need a vet check to make sure it is and get their opinion on this matter... .if its just ribs you can remove and the snake should heal ok but honestly if its back is done, you might as sad as it will be, think about getting it put down.....

I beg to differ.

 

[redbellybite]

I beg to differ.

explain more about the break ,please Peter .....you got me interested now.......:lol: as the ones that I have rescued, with complete broken backs have been put down .....and was informed that a broken back cant be mended and best for the snake ......:cry: thanks

 

[snakenurse]

I beg to differ.

I have to agree with Peter on this one. I have treated many spinal injuries in the past, you would be suprised at what can make it.
If they have 'tone' below the injury then signs can be good. In other words, pinch the end of its tail and see if you get any muscle movement at all, may only be slightly but something is better than none! The body below the injury may be flaccid but if there is a tone there then I feel there is no harm in trying. Is it able to urinate and defacate properly? Has it prolapsed at all? The snake may become depressed due to pain if the injury is bad, do you have contact or access to a vet at all to get some drugs?
There are drugs that you can give, prescribed by a vet, that can help with inflammation and pain. I am not going to mention them here but PM if you would like some suggestions of what I have used in the past.
Keeping the animal warm and in a small enclosure to restrict movement is something I would suggest too. Still offer food, but small meals so that it is very easy for them to eat.
Sorry for all the questions, just trying to help! Let me know if you need any more advice, am happy to help.

Of course, all in saying this, getting the animal to a vet would be the best thing that you can do so that they can assess the animal and work out its spinal viability.

HTH

 

[JasonL]

I did a rescue on a small RBB a few years back, it had a broken back with a healed scar about 1/3 the way down from it's head, thus could only move the front part of it's body. Sure it was on the thin side and I don't like it's chances living a long life in the wild, but animals can do some remarkable things sometimes, and under captive conditions may just do OK.

 

[-Peter]

Basically what Snakenurse said.
Lumpy was like a rubber snake below a spinal degradation about 300mm from the head. He was found pulling himself across the road toward Manly Hospital using the forward 300mm of his body. When I was examining him I moved his tail and it returned to its previous position. I didn't take much notice till it gave the slightest curl on the end. Xrays showed what appeared to be spinal decay cause by something unknown. He has several scars that would indicate being punctured with something with a roughly 10mm diameter (gardening fork?). I thought shotgun but David Vella found nothing on the xrays.
I hand fed him for a considerable time. He has now more than reasonable movement but not 100% and can feed himself.
Would he survive in the wild. Maybe but I guess I doubt it.
He can be seen on an episode of "Totally Wild".

 

[pythons73]

Hi Peter,do you no when the episode will be on.

 

[-Peter]

Hi Peter,do you no when the episode will be on.

It was shown some time ago and i managed to miss it.

 

[murrayanddig]

that's exactly the sort of info i was after, very helpful thanks heaps. we did put him in a small container and borrowed a heat pad from a friend, it was looking encouraging for a while, but unfortunately the little guy didn't make it. he will get sent to the SA museum which means he will help provide some more information about the divisions in western SA between imbricata and an eastern version of Morelia spilota. i was keen to get some help because carpets are rare as hens teeth over here. i have been looking for the 7 or so years that i have been working out this way, and so far have found 2. one on the highway slightly deader than the one i started this thread about, and this one that was picked up by Yalata Anangu on a back track in the Indigenous Protected Area. i would love to actually see a nice, live, healthy version.

 

[snakenurse]

sorry that he didnt make it, good on you for trying though. Hopefully the museum can get something from it.

 

[cracksinthepitch]

Hopefully the next one will be fit and healthy.

 

[Miffy]

I know how he feels I just broke my back snowboarding !!!!