Saturday, May 03, 2008

11/365

So, yeah. Broken snake.

For those of you who don't know, we have a pet snake. His name is Sammy. He is a three-foot-long gopher snake, and we've had him for three years.

We love him. He is gentle, inquisitive. Spoiled rotten.

As Seth was holding him, Sammy slowly worked his way into the cushions of the chair. Seth tried to pull him out.

Broken snake.

Seth freaks, comes around the corner with Sammy in his hands. I take a look, and see a laceration (or is it a split? AGGGGG!) across Sammy's belly. I freak. Jackson freaks. Windows are open. We live in a valley. I cannot IMAGINE what the cacophony must have sounded like.

The brave and wonderful emergency vet agreed to see Sammy, though he had never worked on a snake in his life. Estimated cost? $200.

Tears. Sobbing. Pacing. And that was just me. I have become the Hysterical Snake Lady. Decide to put Sammy down.

The cost is just so MUCH, and what if he dies anyway?
This vet has never dealt with a snake before. He doesn't really know what to do.
Oh God...what do I do?

Cost of exam and euthanasia? $125.

So. For $75 more, I can try to save him?

Done.

Sammy is stitched up and sent home with six doses of antibiotic, to be given by injection once a day.

Thank you, Daddy, for saving my ass on this one.

I was going to share a photo of Sammy's stitches and needles. You know, to go along with the story. You get this instead:















I can hear Cathy's sigh of relief from here.

2 comments:

montague said...

phew. I don't know how to say this strongly enough: I AM SO GLAD YOU DIDN'T POST A PICTURE OF YOUR SNAKE. Nothing against the little guy (in fact i felt SO bad while i read your story and soooo heartbroken) but i have an insane phobia of snakes. can't even see pictures. but i am glad he is ok!!! and you make him sound so cute! maybe one day i will build up the courage to see him!!!

Anonymous said...

i also breathe a sigh of relief for no snake laceration photo. i'm scared to death of them. phobic.

but, still, i'm glad to hear that he's ok. :)