just found out my Leucistic has a broken back (long)

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Posted by Lyn on May 15, 2001 at 17:57:21:

I purchased Jaws, a Leucistic Texas Rat, at the end of March. They would not let me hold or inspect him at the store as he was so nasty. He lashed out of the cage to bite the guy before he could even pick him up, then bit him nonstop while he tried to show him to me. When I asked to see the parents, they were equally intimidating, both of them bit the poor guy and he would not let me hold them either. They told me he'd calm down w/ regular handling (which he has). When I got him home and finally got to hold him, I noticed he had a lump a few inches down from his head. It didn't seem to hurt him when I touched it, and he ate fine and acted fine, so I didn't do anything about it. I had to take my King in to be aspirated today (she was egg bound), so I brought Jaws along for the vet to look at. Found out he has a fractured spine! Nothing the vet can do for him, but he said since he seems to be eating ok, and moving ok, that he'll probably continue to be ok. It's localized to a very small area, and isn't affecting the rest of his back. He said he has good muscle reaction around the injured area. He may have been dropped, or had the cage door closed on him as a baby. I'll never buy another snake without being able to fully inspect it at the store. I love him and wouldn't give him up now, but probably would not have purchased him (at least not for full price) had I felt the lump at the store. There are pics of Jaws on my online photo album. Since I got him home, he has never exhibited the extreme behavior I saw at the store. If anyone else has experienced this type of injury with a snake, let me know. I hope the vet is right, and that he'll be able to live a normal life w/out any side affects. Sorry so long!

My pets (including pics of Jaws)

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Re: just found out my Leucistic has a broken back (long) Jay 05/15/01 (1)
- Thanks! That's easier to handle... Lyn 05/16/01 (0)

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: I purchased Jaws, a Leucistic Texas Rat, at the end of March. They would not let me hold or inspect him at the store as he was so nasty. He lashed out of the cage to bite the guy before he could even pick him up, then bit him nonstop while he tried to show him to me. When I asked to see the parents, they were equally intimidating, both of them bit the poor guy and he would not let me hold them either. They told me he'd calm down w/ regular handling (which he has). When I got him home and finally got to hold him, I noticed he had a lump a few inches down from his head. It didn't seem to hurt him when I touched it, and he ate fine and acted fine, so I didn't do anything about it. I had to take my King in to be aspirated today (she was egg bound), so I brought Jaws along for the vet to look at. Found out he has a fractured spine! Nothing the vet can do for him, but he said since he seems to be eating ok, and moving ok, that he'll probably continue to be ok. It's localized to a very small area, and isn't affecting the rest of his back. He said he has good muscle reaction around the injured area. He may have been dropped, or had the cage door closed on him as a baby. I'll never buy another snake without being able to fully inspect it at the store. I love him and wouldn't give him up now, but probably would not have purchased him (at least not for full price) had I felt the lump at the store. There are pics of Jaws on my online photo album. Since I got him home, he has never exhibited the extreme behavior I saw at the store. If anyone else has experienced this type of injury with a snake, let me know. I hope the vet is right, and that he'll be able to live a normal life w/out any side affects. Sorry so long!

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