I'm a bad parent

[moonsongs]

Last night my month old ball was completely fine and now this morning he was laying across the back of the cage but his head was cocked to the side. I had never seen him just sit there like that. I saw him move across the tank but it was very slow and his head was flopping all over the place. Now...I'm pretty sure it's dead. What the hell happened? He was completely fine one minute, now I fear he is dead. Why would this happen?

[The Snake Guru]

Only way to even get an idea is to have a post mortum done at the vet.

Being as it was only a month old though, my guess is S.D.S sudden death syndrome....which is a fancy word for...it just happens for no apparnet reason, in young snakes especially.

I wouldn't beat yourself up over it, these things do happen.
Sorry for your loss.
~B~

[moonsongs]

It was just so weird. One minute he was fine, moving strong through the tank and then the next thing I know he's acting like he's drunk. I don't know what's going on because he's still moving around the tank but barely.

[Joe]

take it to a vet immediately, instead of sitting here posting about it, take it to someone who can try and help it, at very least put it out of its misery

[moonsongs]

Hey! You don't have to be so rude about it. I am only 12 years old and I have no means to get to a vet or even pay for one if I could get there. My parents are on vacation and I have nobody else around here to help.

so cut me some f*ing slack!

[Joe]

Im not being rude, maybe though since your not responsible enough to take care of the animal properly you really shouldnt have one, perhaps it isnt your fault, and that just might be, the thing is... when we take these animals from there native habitat and keep them in our homes they have no way at all to take care of themselves n there own, thermoregulating, food, humidity, housing, everything is givin by us, they become our responsibility, how is it fair to treat an animal poorly and let it suffer because your a child and have no means? the animal call you up and ask you to take it in? accident happen, I have kept hundreds and hundreds of reptiles and sure some have died, but I did everything in my means to do what I could, herpetoculture isnt about cruelty to animals, its about people trying to bring a piece of nature home, keeping them healthy and strong, dont let my post deter you from the hobby, research as much as you can, learn about the animals you want to keep, come back in a few years when your more able to take care of them and show me, tell me I was ignorant and prove me wrong, best wishes little man, happy herping!

[moonsongs]

what, am i serial killer in the making? sure, i thought it would be fun to invest so much time and money into an animal that i only wanted to neglect and eventually kill. this snake was given to me as a present. i did not ask for the responsibility but nobody listens to a kid anyway. i have tons of other pets but no reptiles and none of them have ever died. i am very responsible and attentive with my animals but something went wrong with this one probably because i never wanted it in the first place...but that doesn't mean i would treat it any differently or in anyway harm it intentionally. I am trying my best and waiting for someone to come get me if they can to take the snake to the vet.

and please don't call me "little man"...stop stereotyping...i'm a female.

[Joe]

I wasnt accusing you of neglecting it, I dont know you or anything about you, I have been in this hobby a very long time, since i was your age actually, I was bit by a massy rattler when i was 12, since then I have always had a huge interest in reptiles, I read and invested alot of time in learning about the many species, I was 17 before I ever actually kept anything, my problem is I have seen so many people in this hobby come and go, I have seen so many animals being kept by people who figure its not worth the money to take a $10 animal to the vet, cause they can replace it for cheaper, we are not playing with anything but the lives of innocent animals, by no means have any of these animals wished for us to take care of them, reptile or not. animals be it cat dog hamster or reptile, anything, its a living creature, and if we are not able to invest the time money and attention to detail these animals need, then we shouldnt own them, best wishes little miss, enjoy!

[TailsW/Scales]

This is the exact reason why a reptile or any animal should not be given to a minor as pet.
No offense meant moonsongs but if you didn't ask for the animal and from the sound of it actually didn't want it then why did you take it???

From the sound of it, like Brad said, it could just be that this baby was not meant to survive. It happens. It also could be that your snake has ingested something and it has poisoned the snake. At that age getting it to a vet will more then likely not help. My suggestion to you is that if this little snake survives this you hand it over to someone who can properly care for it. Apologize to whomever gave it to you and say that it was more responsability then you could handle. Adults understand that.

What I mean by "properly care for it" is you can pay for the animals care, take the time and enegery, and provide for ALL it's needs. VERY rarely have I seen a 12 year old that can do that. If you are not able to do that then you shouldn't own it until you can.

Again this is not meant in offense.
Good luck and sorry to hear about the little guy /gal.

[moonsongs]

Well, since I was not physically able to go to the vet I talk to the doctor on the phone. Upon explaining all the symptons, he told me that the snake probably had IBD (inclusion body disease). He said, what gave it away was the fact that the snake was acting drunk and could not right it's self when it flipped over. My feelings of guilt were nullified for a moment when I heard that there is no cure for the disease and I couldn't have done anything to prevent it or help it. It still really hurts that this animal had to suffer.

[reptilenut4sure]

That sucks, im sorry for your loss. But these things happen.

[Edmond Y]

Moonsongs, sorry for your lost and don't feel bad about it. **** can happen anytime. I know some very good breeders have their Green Tree python just drop dead without reason. I belive you are good enough to take care of aniamls because you ask question in the forum. Don't give up snake hobby because ball python is one of the most amazing animal out there.

Regards

Edmond

[Herpkid101x]

im sorry for your loss. bad things happen to animals even with the proper care and its not always the owners fault.

[Rolly]

Sorry for your loss Moon..... But keep your head up and keep the pets you still have or had close to your heart.

[mykee]

Sorry for your loss.

"Re: I'm a bad parent"

But now that that is out of the way; you're a 12 year old girl who's been left alone while her parents are on vacation? Does anyone else see something really wrong with this scenario? Seems like bad parenting runs in the family....(not that this snake situation had anything to do with you being a bad parent)

[moonsongs]

Who are you to judge?

[mykee]

Just someone who would NEVER leave their 12 year old at home while I go on vacation with my wife.
Maybe not illegal (depending on the state) but certainly not responsible IMO.