Humane euthanasia-- n/ quick help

[Lori P]

Guys, I'll explain more later but I need a general concensus on the most humane method of euthanasia for a snake. I searched our articles and forum but couldn't find a specific thread or article dealing with this.

Thanks.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

put it in the freezer it will go into brumation and then die, you could also just smash it with something heavy which would be faster but a lot messier and grosser

Guys, I'll explain more later but I need a general concensus on the most humane method of euthanasia for a snake. I searched our articles and forum but couldn't find a specific thread or article dealing with this.

Thanks.

[Stefan-A]

Barbiturates.

A strike to the back of the head, followed by decapitation, followed by destruction of the brain.

[Lori P]

Decapitaion itself without stunning first not completely painless?

[Lori P]

I ask because I was hoping to preserve the head for my vet to examine. Oh, this is so hard. This is just awful.

[Charlet_2007]

whats wrong lori?

[Lori P]

I didn't want to say until I talked to Reed. I've pm'd him so hopefully he gets it soon.

But.. it's little Curious (red sided). I don't know if you recall but he developed an odd eye infection. We treated it with topicals and 10 days of Baytil injections. The infection cleared up, but the eye "died" int eh socket and atrophied. He did not seem to be in pain from it, but, he had not eaten during the 3 weeks of all of this. Well, this past weekend he finally showed interest in food... but... couldn't seem to get his mouth around it. I chopped up already small earthworms into tiny pieces and he managed to get a few down... I was concerned but wanted to see what would happen in a few days. I talked to my vet, and he warned me that it sounded neurological and could have been caused by the infection.

Tonite, he is desperately trying to eat. Over and over and over he is striking at the tiny pices of worms and chopped up pinky. He can't get it into his mouth. I've tried holding it for him and guiding it in... he can't hold on enough, it falls out the sides. He flips over and around and upside down trying to hold on. It is absolutely breaking my heart to watch him struggling like this and I think it's obvious this is a very serious problem.

But omg, this is hard. I can't stop bawling. I love that silly little guy so much. And Reed, I am so, so so sorry. I've really tried everything I know how and I think it is cruel to let him go on.

I want to end it instantly and was hopnig my vet could maybe look at his little head and tell me something. But if a big blow is better than decapitation, that's waht we'll do.

:-( :-( :-(

[adamanteus]

Oh Lori. I'm so sorry.

[olive oil]

How aweful! I'm so sorry.

[infernalis]

Decapitation itself without stunning first not completely painless?

Lori - The oxygen requirements for snakes are so low, the head can live for some time without a body.

The freezer is not without some discomfort, A solid whack over the top of the head with a hammer is swift and humane.

If you do not have the stomach for that, I prefer to shoot them in the head with a .22 (I think you have that option available don't you?)

Its instant....... So sorry that it's came to this.