Spot's surgery

[guidofatherof5]

Spot is scheduled for exploratory surgery, Tuesday at 10am. My Vet. is going to let me watch and photograph. I'll see if I can get some video, also. I'm praying the old girl comes through this and gets on the road to recovery. I'm trying to be optimistic but I feel she may have cancer. She has 3 spots and all are swollen. He going to be doing biopsies on all of them. On her main spot she's developed a stranged coloring in the center of it. All evidence toward my cancer concerns. Nothing can be done now. Tomorrow will tell.

[GarterGeek]

Wishing your Spot a successful surgery!!

[ssssnakeluvr]

good luck!!! hope everything turns out good!!

[Mommy2many]

Good luck with Spot & her surgery tomorrow.

[guidofatherof5]

Spot's surgery is about here. Her Vet. wanted her soak before the surgery. As you can see she has a large area of swelling. The photo doesn't show the full extent of the swelling. I noticed the swollen area is very buoyant. I wonder if the broken rib has punctured a lung and this is trapped air. My mind is going in 20 different directions. Time can't pass fast enough.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/swollen.jpg

[gregmonsta]

I wonder if the broken rib has punctured a lung and this is trapped air.

It's very possible. Clint our Florida blue with the 'crushed' area. has made me wonder a few times too. With the damaged ribs pointing inwards there's always a problem that can manifest itself. My vet didn't give hopeful news when it came to the possibility of puncturing vital organs. Difficult to operate on safely in smaller snakes for sure.
Keeping my fingers crossed for the upcoming surgery.

[guidofatherof5]

*WARNING* This post contains graphic surgical photos.


I wish I had better news to report but I had to have the old girl put down. Aggressive cancer. The cancer was found in each of her spots(light skin pigment areas). She was an old girl and I was fortunate to have her here on the Ranch for the last couple of years. She was a pleasure to have and brought a smile to everyone who got to meet her. Last school year she visited a number of schools and was a blessing to show to the kids. We are pleased to have the last two groups of her babies here on the Ranch.
She's back on the Ranch were it all began many years ago. She was born here and she'll be buried here.
R.I.P. Spot you were a great radix.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/spot_last1.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/spot_last.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/spot_last_lump.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/spot_cancer_1.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/spot_cancer.jpg

[gregmonsta]

RIP Spot ... :) at least you know her legacy lives on ... she's in the best place hunting giant nightcrawlers 24/7 now.

[DrKate]

Aw... I'm really sorry to hear that - clearly she was a special girl. At least she got to go quietly and painlessly after a long and happy life. It's sadly ironic that giving an animal all our love and the best of care extends their life span to the point that old-age diseases like cancer are even a concern.

[Boots]

Very sorry to hear/read about your loss. Cancer is never a good thing.

Jason

[count dewclaw]

So sorry about Spot.

[ssssnakeluvr]

very sorry for your loss. she was a special snake

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Awwwe spot..:(. slither on in snake heaven girl!!! Sorry to hear that, Steve. Just think though her spirit has been renewed in the little ones born today!!!

[guidofatherof5]

Awwwe spot..:(. slither on in snake heaven girl!!! Sorry to hear that, Steve. Just think though her spirit has been renewed in the little ones born today!!!

I was thinking the same thing. 1 death and all this new life. All in the same day.
I'm picking Spot up today and bringing the old girl home. Bitter/sweet.

[guidofatherof5]

Here's one of the last photos of Spot.
It's strange how so much changes when the life is gone. The eyes lose that sparkle, even her body colors seem dull to me. Nothing left but a shell. I was hit with a flood of memeries as I layed her to rest. She's back in the yard she came from.
My oldest daughter commented this morning how the livingroom wasn't the same now that she didn't see Spot. Spot lived up staires and was next to the computer. Many times while I was posting, Spot was sitting with me or knocking things down off the shelf.
The one thing I do know about this whole ordeal is the fact I'm a better person because of Spot. Just a snake! I don't think so.:)
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/last_spot.jpg

[mustang]

sorry to here that...spot
GOODBYE
FARWELL
& AMEN

[drache]

oh Steve
I'm so sorry you had to let her go
good memories to last though