RCReptiles.com

[junkopardner]

The reason I bring this up is the same reason I posted the AP news about the Burmese "attacking" the pet store employee the other day.

I know that Burmeses' aren't Royals, but they are both Pythons (I saw it was moved to the 'Other Reptiles' section and apologize for putting in the Ball Forum). I feel that this overblown type of crap contributes the crazy fear and ignorance of snakes, especially as pets.

Me and my girlfriend are currently dealing with it, and have been since we got the snake, from her ex husband and mother in law. Her ex husband and his Mom freaked out when they heard we got a Ball Python because of her kids; they're 3 and 4. They didn't want a dangerous snake around their kids and grandchildren!!!

They know nothing about Ball Python's (or any snake for that matter). All they know is that Ball's are from the constrictor family.

They will not stop harassing her about how the snake is going to break out in the night and constrict around the kids and kill them in their sleep, and other sensationalistic nonsense.

She's about to go nuts because she has to deal with constant pressure from them everyday to get rid of it, OR ELSE!!

They have joint custody right now (2 weeks each), but she's going to try and get full custody, and so are they.

Well, this news story comes out, and guess what? Yeppers.......

Even though it was a Burmese, not a Ball, and I'm sure the whole thing was blown wayyyyy out of proportion (thanks media; slow news day?).

Now factor in that for the past 2 weeks the kids have been there with them, they've both contracted E. Coli (it's not official yet, but all the docs are leaning that way) and after a hospital stay for the 3 yr old boy, his sister now has it, both had to be transported 75 miles via ambulance to a huge children's hospital and now he's in the throws of Acute Kidney Failure and things are looking pretty bad.

Meanwhile, while they sat around and let him get dehydrated to the point of catatonia before they did anything, they're blaming the whole thing on the snake.

The snake gave them salmonella, they say. Well, I know you can get that from reptiles and that's why we don't let the children handle the snake, disinfect the sink, or tub, or wherever he's been when we have him out.

But they're leaning toward E. Coli and subsequently Hemolytic uremic syndrome as the cause of the problems now, but the tests aren't in yet.
The only thing I worry about is him right now, his health etc. because he's in seriously bad shape.

And all they can think about? That evil, f-ing snake, and how evil we are for having it. BTW, they're uber-religious people, (not the snake handling type either) so I wonder if this plays a part too.

Seems like snakes have been getting a bad wrap since Genesis.

But why all the crazy fear, and do they really think (by what they've been insinuating) that if we keep the snake they can use it against it her in court when it comes to full custody?

I would like to say no, but after all the ignorance and fear we've dealt with since we've had him (and not just them) who knows what a judge might think.....


J

[RonCrawford]

Our prayers go out to your family and we hope for a speedy recovery.

[junkopardner]

Thank you very much Ron. I feel like they're my childern, as their Father never had anything to do with them and I've been with them much, much more than he has. And I'm completely devastated.

Looking back on my post, I realize now it has nothing to do with the snake, really. That's not why they're blaming the snake now, but that is how it started.

I'm just going nuts because he's the most beautiful, wonderful child I've ever known and now he's laying there on the ropes and there's nothing I can do.

Add to that "It's all your fault, the snake etc," and, well, things just aren't good right now.

Say a prayer, or two.

Thanks all-

J

[arlynos]

[GrayKat97]

Prayers are winging their way to your family.

[jb.t3ch]

prayers are with you and your family for a full recovery.

it is very possible that the e-coli if thats what it turns out to be could have come from anything. every week a new food item gets listed. also that very nasty Norovirus has been going around everywhere for the last 2 years. before they point the finger they need to find the source.

[gbadger]

what a very sad situation i feel for you all.
hell this can really put peoples lives into perspective,
because it dont get too much worse than these peoples lives
i hope everything goes ok for you.
take care

[a_green]

I will certainly be praying. Please let us know how things go.

What a rotten situation--and for people to blame your innocent pet after all that! That really makes me mad too... I make sure everyone I know knows as much as possible about ball pythons so I can do my small part in trying to get rid of irrational snake-phobia.

It is shocking how people can turn it into a religious thing! I have a big church-going family and we all essentially believe the same stuff... some think my pet is neat, some are just "ew!" which doesn't really bother me but the other day I heard my grandma was actually "concerned about my spiritual life" because I own a snake. It's amazing how some religious-minded people can overlook obvious facts because of society-driven phobias: yes, the snake was used in Genesis for evil purposes, but elsewhere in the Old Testament snakes were used for *good* purposes. In fact that is exactly where we get the universal health care symbol:



People see these snakes all the time and seem to forget..... Why? Stupid people, that's why. Stupid pet owners. And stupid media that blow these stories out of proportion. SUCKS!

[RonCrawford]

This thread brings up a good point and what follows is not directed at junkopardner so please don't take personal offence.

When handling reptiles (or any animal for that matter), it's best to make sure you wash your hands thouroughly. Preferably before and most certainly after. If you don't have access to water/soap, you can always use the hand disinfectants that claim to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria.

Again, this is not directed at junkopardner, it's just a "public service announcement".

[deborahbroadus]

When handling anything..you can get sick from raw chicken, your dog and your cat, our germs can kill birds (if we kiss them on the beak).

Just wanted to point out it's not reptiles alone..germs are everywhere and that is why handwashing is promoted so much.

[PyMama]

Ah man J. ....best of luck ....for you guys and the kiddos.,..will send prayers and positive thoughts your way.

Keep us posted no how things turnout. Hopefully all will work out for you guys, the kids and the snake.

[junkopardner]

Thanks to all for the thoughts, prayers, etc.

He's in Intensive Care as of today. His Kidney's have quit functioning and he's on Dialysis around the clock, as well as Red Blood Cell infusions. Thing's are not looking good but the Doctors say that it is possible for his kidney's to start functioning again with minimal damage going down the road.

So no one's throwing in the towel yet. He 3 yrs old and he's been going through hell for over a week now and he says he just wants a Happy Meal. I think he'll make it to Mickey D's.

It's also NOT salmonella as they were assuming (from the snake). It's E.Coli and HUS that lead to where things are now. It's very serious and often fatal. His recovery could take months and months.

So I'm taking the snake full time as she is living at the hospital and will be for a long time. I can't be there because of the ex and his family. I mean, I CAN be there, legally speaking, but it causes too many problems and tension.

As to what Ron said about washing your hands, I talked to my herp vet and this is very, very important. The consensus in the Herp community seems to be that Herp's DO carry Salmonella and often get bad wraps because their owners/handlers often to not follow the sanitary guidelines for handling them, then someone gets sick (usually children), and then the snake gets blamed because the proper procedures weren't taken.

As such, they don't even recommend that people with children under 5 yrs old own any reptile.

Here's a really good piece on it:

http://www.petstation.com/repsalmo.html

Again, thanks to everyone and keep praying.

-Jonathan

[deborahbroadus]

E.Coli? Does anyone know the source? Eating out? Chicken left out too long to thaw germs in the kitchen from lack of disinfectant? What happened to your family really makes people realize that handwashing is serious business. Thanks for sharing your story, if it can "wake up" just one person it's worth it.

I am not surprised at the article, it's common knowledge that children aren't the greatest hand washers and unless the habit is instilled in them at an early age, it continues on into adulthood (I have grandchildren that handle my snakes and bottles of sanitizer near the cages). That's why they would rather just tell people not to get the animal rather than educate them.

So many things are dangerous if care isn't taken and the proper precautions followed especially food, but we can include reptiles, dogs, cats, birds. Cats aren't even recommended around pregnant women..sigh. The unseen forces out there demand that we be on guard...again, I encourage everyone to continue their sanitary procedures.

I have seen some pictures of some DIRTY hands holding reptiles..be careful.

[PlayBall]

I will pray for your family. Hope things get better soon.

[Hezza]

I really hope all goes well for your family.
I have gotten salmonella from one of my herps, not my bp but my iguana. It is really important not only to wash your hands but clean out any open wound you might get from handeling the animal or any wounds you had before handeling the animal.
I have no feeling in half of my right arm and when my iguana scratched me I didn't notice and thus didn't clean it out. Salmonella is not fun so make sure to be careful.