You Think Veterinarians Have It Easy?
Just a follow up post on Becca. Took her to her regular Vet today and he is very pleased with the blood work. I will be watching her closely of course, and especially about three months down the road. Was told that the red blood cells she received on Sunday would live....I think Doc said about 120 - 130 days. After that length of time we will know if she is producing her own red blood cells.
Doc and I got to talking about why a dog would swallow the oddest things, and during the conversation he shared a couple good stories with me. This one just below was a real doozie, so thought I would share with you for a laugh.
He said he was still practicing in a town in north Alabama when he got a call from a man that asked him if he treated snakes. Huh? Yes snakes! Doc said that he did and asked the man what kind of snake he had. The man mumbled something and Doc asked him to repeat. When the man was able to utter the word "Moccasin" coherently, Doc said he was a bit taken-back, but agreed to treat the snake anyway, but only if the man would hold the snake while he treated him. Being a good Doc, he told the man he could not allow his staff to hold the snake - and I am sure he did not want to chance being bitten either.
So the man brought the snake in and after a very careful inspection, Doc determined it had a mouth infection brought on by drinking from a dirty water bowl. The man felt really bad because he had not kept the water bowl cleaned out as he should have. So Doc stands there patiently waiting while the man laments on his own shortcomings and how guilty he feels. The man wants to know what it would take to cure the snake and Doc tells him the snake's mouth must be cleaned with something especially for that type infection - every day. And, he must keep the water bowl clean.
Well, the man must have really felt badly because he agreed he would do that as it was his fault a perfectly healthy snake had taken ill. The man went on his way with his snake.
Doc moved to South Alabama and quite some time later he saw the man's girlfriend, so he asked her how the snake was doing. She said that the man had successfully treated the snake as prescribed and several months later the man let the snake go in the woods.
Now, how many of you reading this would be so kind as to clean the mouth of a Cottonmouth Moccasin everyday - in order to save its life?
Lemme tell you.....that snake would have never made it to the Vet - I am like the Mean Queen, and I would have said, "Off with his head!"
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My son is a vet and has many stories. I have been with him on many vet visits in Mn, Or and Idaho. But I have not heard a snakes story except a pet be bitten by an rattlesnake, common out here in the west. But he has many porcupine stories which always have a point. John
Hi TJ! Yes, I remember from your blogs that you have a son that is a Vet - I believe that I went to his (?) website (or maybe it was in one of your blogs) about herbal growing and treatments. I can imagine that his porcupine stories DO have a point! (You got that point in, didn't you?) I know that awhile back you were to go on a fishing trip - did you get to take the trip? Thanks for the comment!!!
Now that isn't a good attitude. Snakes perform a wonderful service by keeping down the rodent population.
You may not have read but several of the Western National parks are currently shut down due to an infestation of white footed mice. A couple of hundred snakes would clear that problem up in a hurry.
Labman, I have been duly chastised by both you and mamalama (below) for my strong dislike for snakes. I promise that I do not hunt and cage, or seek to kill any snakes in their natural habitat. I just want them to leave me alone - to stay out of my yard! And although snakes may provide a benefit, I do think about the poor white footed mice that have not likely menaced those snakes at all.
I hope you will not draw conclusions that I am not a nice person based on my bias against snakes. I DO appreciate your comments!!!
My take on it is if it is not poisonous we don't have an issue. Rattle snakes at our house are the kind you don't want to walk up on. now we do have many others kinds that are great for rodent hunters those I don't have a problem. I won't hunt to kill them but if they are by the house I am like Becca off with the head.
I had a friend when I was in school that was a bit of a snake nut. He had a Roseated Boa that was about 6 feet long. He used to drive around with the snake around his shoulders. That caused quite a stir at traffic lights when people looked into his car.
He also had a Doberman Pinscer and would often find the snake wrapped around his dog in the morning. Not in a menacing way, the snake was just enjoying the warmth.
Eventually, he acquired a tank of Pygmy Rattlesnakes and would milk the venom and provide it to the Miami herpetarium. This was quite a side business as the venom was used as anti-venin for the folks that were bitten. I think it went for about $10,000 and ounce.
So, while most people are not fond of snakes, most are not destructive and do provide a service. However, as our friends down in Florida are aware, most pet snakes are not native to the US and can become an invasive species if allowed to get out as is the case with the Anaconda in the Everglades at this time.
Taste just like Chicken though.
My oldest son loves reptiles. He's 17 now but over his lifetime he brought in all manner of new "pets". I probably would have done the same thing as the man in your story. I believe that if someone takes a creature out of its natural habitat for selfish reasons and that creature gets, the person should be responsible for the care of that creature.
I do wish I did not have such an abhorrence for snakes - it is not just a mental thing, but extends to physical as well and is not much fun. You must be a very good Mom.
Doc said that the man was truly sorry and felt very guilty for taking the snake out of its environment. I admit that the man certainly must have had a more compassionate heart than me. Thanks - I do appreciate your thoughts.
I think 'most' girls are with us! Have seen many big, tough men that feel the same way though! The only good snake is a dead snake!
I so get what you are saying we had a wildlife rescue on out property I'll never forget when someone brought in a rattle snake.....because the ran over it... WHAT!? just like you said. I would have just backed up and hit it again. ; O)
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I am with you about the snake. He would be dead if I had anything to say. I am not a snake lover.
I think if we took a vote that the snake haters would far outnumber the snake lovers! Thanks for the comment wealthmaker!