EvilRix
New member
Hi,
I woke up this morning and discovered my Ollie (2 yrs old male) had managed to get himself stuck throguh a rock. The rock is a sand-stone (the kind usually found in fish tanks) with holes in it (like swiss-cheese). He was wedged tight, obviously he'd tried to force himself through but had just trapped himself more. I guess he must have been trapped like this for at least 6 hours, maybe a more!
Anyway, I initially poured olive oil (all I had) on the part of his body that was trapped to see if he could wiggle free but after about 10 mins I realized he was stuck fast. I decided all I could do was use a hammer and chisle and (with the help of my long suffering wife) carefully chip him out. I was very (VERY) careful, ensuring my wife held Ollie still. I ensured I only tapped away (with minimal force) at the rock underneath him (so as to ensure no shock, pressure or force was directed towards his body). After about 10 minutes of careful chipping we managed to get him free. He was so good, not once did he struggle... I wonder if he knew we were trying to help him? He's usually a real stroppy sod
At this point I decided it would be sensible to wash him (in case he'd cut himself and got dirt into it) so I put a little luke warm water in the bath and let him gently slither into it. I think slooshed him a little and then took him out and dried him with a soft clean cloth. I examined him and, apart from a little bit of superficial scuffing, I could find no signs of injury. After this I put him back in his viv. He seems to be ok, he's skulking around his viv in his usual manner.
I'm just wondering, has anyone else had experience of this kind of issue? Did I do the right thing chipping him out (frankly, I just don't think leaving him stuck would have been an option)? Is Ollie likely to have other injuries I can't see? He seemed quite placid when I handled him, once he was free, giving no indication he was in any pain or discomfort. Is there anything I should look out for? Is there anything else I should do to ensure his well-being after this event?
I'm sorry if I seem a little overly worried but my snakes mean the world to me and I'd hate to think I may have caused harm with my good intentions.
:shrugs:
Many thanks in advance for any advice offered.
Kind regards,
-Rx.
I woke up this morning and discovered my Ollie (2 yrs old male) had managed to get himself stuck throguh a rock. The rock is a sand-stone (the kind usually found in fish tanks) with holes in it (like swiss-cheese). He was wedged tight, obviously he'd tried to force himself through but had just trapped himself more. I guess he must have been trapped like this for at least 6 hours, maybe a more!
Anyway, I initially poured olive oil (all I had) on the part of his body that was trapped to see if he could wiggle free but after about 10 mins I realized he was stuck fast. I decided all I could do was use a hammer and chisle and (with the help of my long suffering wife) carefully chip him out. I was very (VERY) careful, ensuring my wife held Ollie still. I ensured I only tapped away (with minimal force) at the rock underneath him (so as to ensure no shock, pressure or force was directed towards his body). After about 10 minutes of careful chipping we managed to get him free. He was so good, not once did he struggle... I wonder if he knew we were trying to help him? He's usually a real stroppy sod
At this point I decided it would be sensible to wash him (in case he'd cut himself and got dirt into it) so I put a little luke warm water in the bath and let him gently slither into it. I think slooshed him a little and then took him out and dried him with a soft clean cloth. I examined him and, apart from a little bit of superficial scuffing, I could find no signs of injury. After this I put him back in his viv. He seems to be ok, he's skulking around his viv in his usual manner.
I'm just wondering, has anyone else had experience of this kind of issue? Did I do the right thing chipping him out (frankly, I just don't think leaving him stuck would have been an option)? Is Ollie likely to have other injuries I can't see? He seemed quite placid when I handled him, once he was free, giving no indication he was in any pain or discomfort. Is there anything I should look out for? Is there anything else I should do to ensure his well-being after this event?
I'm sorry if I seem a little overly worried but my snakes mean the world to me and I'd hate to think I may have caused harm with my good intentions.
:shrugs:
Many thanks in advance for any advice offered.
Kind regards,
-Rx.
