ha. good luck with the little guy, i hope he is just getting into winter mode and less eating for the season. this thread makes me miss having our python (we left her in ny with family) and i have been thinking about getting another or, even better, bringing her over on our next visit, if it's not too complicated. please do follow up on how he is and best of luck!

Just want to give a BIG thank you to Inkedskin who gave me a lot of helpful info for my snakey. I followed his advice, and Valentino finally ate something last night, and does seem perkier today. Of course, if I think things are not well with him I will get a vet appt for him, but it was his refusal to eat that was really worrying me, and now he has. Phew.

Thanks Inkedskin.

Totally gutted. Had to have my Valentino put to sleep this afternoon.

He'd stopped eating again, and I had to help him shed his skin again at the weekend.

Took him to the vet this afternoon, who was lovely and gave him a thorough going over. He showed me how the part of his body just below his head was stiff, (like an old man) and this was not allowing him the natural movement to be able to shed his skin, and also was impeding him to swallow properly. He also thought he had gout!!

Anyway, he told me that there was nothing he could do to make him better, and I loved him to much to let him suffer and starve, so I got him put down, and he went to sleep with his head tucked into my neck.
And even though he isn't alive any more, he still looks it. He's all curled up and looks so lovely and relaxed,(here he is now in the photo) but gosh it hurts to see him and know that he's not alive.

Thanks to Inkedskin again for his advice, and to others who commented when I'd posted. I wish it was a happier message I was posting.

NO!!!

Thats horrible news.... Im so sorry you had to do that but if it was a choice between that and let the little thing starve to death then you did the right thing. What was wrong with him though? Did the vet say anything more?

I am very sorry as well for the lost of Valentino - it is so hard to see them leaving us. Hope you find some comfort soon, specially looking back at the great memories you surely shared with him.

Edit: I am amazed reading your post again that his head was in your neck, this is so sad and also sweet, I would have never imagine that you can have such a relation with a snake. Very sorry... Again.

Hi Gata. Basically he explained that the rigidity in the top of his body was stopping him from shedding normally and eating properly, and that it could have been due to old age, gout or both. He gave him a real good feel from top to toe which made Valentino pee & poop on the table. when the vet looked at it he said there were crystals in it which led him to believe it was more gout or kidney problems. He said that they could do more tests to diagnose and confirm, and he could give him something that would ease the symptoms for a few days, but then he would get like he was again. I couldn't do that to him, as he really was very precious to me.

Pets, you love 'em so much, and they break your heart when they die.

Thanks for that. Yea, many people wondered how you could have a relationship with a snake, but he would curl around my neck like a scarf and I could walk around with him. And he was all tucked up there at the end, so I think that was a nice way for him to go.

I'm so very sorry, Cath.

The hardest part of loving a pet is making the decision to let go - all pet owners here understand the pain of your loss.

My sincere sympathies - he was a lovely lad.

I'm so sorry Cath. If you ever feel the need to cuddle a snake, Eric always loves a hug.

so sorry to hear about this- all my best to you, he was a beauty!

I'm so sorry. You loved him so much and it seems he loved you too. He was a beauty. It's always hard but you did the best for him.

bah!!!!! i might need a good snake-cuddle, if only yours was closer