Getting a new blood python

[candyraver69]

My advice would be, if you are set on getting her, you need to go in knowing it may be a lost cause. Make sure and have lots of money set aside for vet bills. I can't tell you how many times I have been in a situation like this and felt the need to rescue the poor animal, most of the time they die anyways, and all you did was support the store that killed them by buying them. Not to mention the risks you put your current collection in by bringing home a sick snake.

I have adopted sick critters that turned out to be long lived loving pals, but that is not the usual case. I lost a rat just this weekend to terrible terrible RI, he was a pet store rat I just HAD to have, and tons of vet bills later, he still didn't make it. It's not a fun thing to go through.

It sounds like you already know you shouldn't get her but want to anyways. Maybe this will help. Think about how you could buy a healthy snake from somewhere, and keep that healthy snake from ending up in the hands of someone who would make it sick. You would be saving the healthy snake from poor care (someone terrible could buy it other than you), supporting a GOOD pet store or breeder with healthy animals, and in the end you get a much better chance of having a long lived healthy buddy.

[dshin963]

Originally Posted by candyraver69

My advice would be, if you are set on getting her, you need to go in knowing it may be a lost cause. Make sure and have lots of money set aside for vet bills. I can't tell you how many times I have been in a situation like this and felt the need to rescue the poor animal, most of the time they die anyways, and all you did was support the store that killed them by buying them. Not to mention the risks you put your current collection in by bringing home a sick snake.

I have adopted sick critters that turned out to be long lived loving pals, but that is not the usual case. I lost a rat just this weekend to terrible terrible RI, he was a pet store rat I just HAD to have, and tons of vet bills later, he still didn't make it. It's not a fun thing to go through.

It sounds like you already know you shouldn't get her but want to anyways. Maybe this will help. Think about how you could buy a healthy snake from somewhere, and keep that healthy snake from ending up in the hands of someone who would make it sick. You would be saving the healthy snake from poor care (someone terrible could buy it other than you), supporting a GOOD pet store or breeder with healthy animals, and in the end you get a much better chance of having a long lived healthy buddy.

You make a great point... I dont think I am going to pick her up... still feel bad for her... I went to see her again today and her skin feels soo loose... like shes underfed... however now I have another question...
I was reading up on bloods and from my understanding their care is very similar to that of a ball python, I was wondering if you feel a blood is appropriate for my SECOND snake... my current ball is doing great feeding almost instantly, still has a strong feed response and strike. I really feel that blood are beautiful amazing snakes and really want to get ahold of one. If you guys/ladies feel a blood is an adequate step up from a ball I am going to either pick one up from local breeders if they have any or I will wait until April for the Ontario Reptile Expo thanks you for the advice... still feel bad for her...