 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Image 1
This snake is pregnant … at least that is what her owner, who breeds snakes, was hoping. Some snakes lay eggs, which then incubate for a period of time before hatching. But most boas such as this emerald tree boa ( Corallus caninus) deliver live young. Pregnancy determination can be difficult with behavioral signs such as increased basking time and decreased appetite, and physical appearance of a mid-body swelling being criteria in determining successful breeding. But how do you know when a problem pregnancy is occurring? Veterinarians must take into consideration the behavior and appetite of the snake, when the owner believes it was bred, and abnormalities in blood work such as an elevated white blood cell count. Because gestation periods in snakes can vary for a multitude of reasons it can be difficult to determine when a snake is “over due”. For this emerald tree boa named Mindy, it seemed that she was quite a bit over due and there was no progress or change in the size of her abdominal swelling. Because the owner wants to keep this snake a future breeder it was decided to take her to surgery to see how we could help the situation.
Image 2
Here Dr Hulls is ready to operate. The snake has been anesthetized and is being maintained on sevoflurane anesthesia while Licensed Veterinary Technician Lori Jo Havener monitors anesthetic depth and patient condition. Mindy has been moved to our surgical suite and Dr Hulls is ready to cut.
Image 3
On exploring the abdomen Dr Hulls has determined that Mindy is no longer pregnant (if she ever was) but has retained her egg follicles, which provide nutrition for the fetus during pregnancy.
Image 4
It was determined that this “yolk-like” material was decomposing and needed to be removed if Mindy was to be saved.
Image 5
With meticulous care Dr. Hulls has opened the salpinx (or uterus) and suctioned and flushed each of the decomposing egg follicles.
Image 6
At this point all follicles have been removed the salpinx sutured closed. The skin was sutured and the snake allowed to recover. Mindy woke up well and was returned to her happy owner the following day.
Image 7
Four weeks later (the cold blooded reptile's skin heals very slowly) Dr Poutous removes Mindy's sutures- everything has healed very well.
Image 8
Owner and snake are both very happy