R . I . P . Otis .......

[Jimmy]

Otis Reddingtail passed away about 15-20 minutes ago.... I'm devastated right now. He was my first boa and has completely renewed my love and passion for snakes. I brought him home about three years ago (late in 06) and I couldn't wait to see him reach full maturity and spend the next 20+ years with, he has passed far too early. I wasn't ready and really had no idea how emotionally attached I was to him until I realized he was dieing.
Last night he had an unusually large amount of feces in his cage and when I pulled him out to clean him and his cage he acting a little strange (stiff, thin and hardly moving) I checked on him tonight and he was acting the same so I went and got the miss to show her and when we came back we found him like this.


He lived for just a few more hours and then passed

Here he is the day I brought him home.



And here's a few more as he grew.













He will be sorely missed. I can't imagine that I'll ever be able to find another like him.....

[bladeblaster]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

lovely boa, real shame, sorry for your loss.

It's prob not what you want to be thinking about right at the moment but, if you have other snakes I would advise getting a post mortem done to establish the cause of death.

[BigPaPaErnest]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

SO sorry to hear about Otis...and it was rough to try and even get passed 30 seconds of that vid...it hurt just watching it...I feel for yas brother.

[jhsulliv]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

I'm very sorry for your loss , losing any pet is very difficult. I would suggest to put some moist paper towels on him and put him in the refrigerator, DO NOT FREEZE HIM and call the vet. Freezing can easily ruin any chance for finding things on a cellular level. You really should bring him in for a necropsy even if it's just for piece of mind. If you need help finding a vet let us know.

[dangles]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

It's prob not what you want to be thinking about right at the moment but, if you have other snakes I would advise getting a post mortem done to establish the cause of death.

so sorry for your loss, but bladeblaster is most definitely right. don't freeze him, but get him to a vet for a necropsy asap.

[bterrill]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

I'm very sorry for what happened. I had just finished reading your other thread about 10 minutes ago and I could barely watch the video either.

RIP Otis

[pookiebuttons]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

Oh my gosh I am so sorry! He was a beautiful snake.

[zamora]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

I'm so very sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with you.

[nediver]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

I am so sorry for your loss. That must have been tough to watch. After you get a necropsy done please post the results so others might learn from this situation.

[Thunder Child]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

I am terribly sorry... I have lost my first Boa as well... though the cause of death in my case was obvious(a complication due to hemipene prolapse, followed by a surgery... it was all too much).

I know it's the last thing on your mind... however, it is crucial you find out the cause of death... respiratory infection may have been involved if his mouth stayed open like that for long periods of time.

Those of us who choose to surround ourselves with animals with lower longevity will know sorrow and grief at their passing... it is never easy, certainly when one is still so young.

All that remains is trying to pick things up, learn what we can, and keep trying to provide the best we can for the snakes who are still under our care.

It is never easy though, and it doesn't get easier...

[Fireproof]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

Dang - that sucks. He sure was pretty.

Hang in there...

[jvarner]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

Wow Jimmy,
My thoughts are with you. I am so sorry you lost Otis, he was very handsome. He went way before his time and I know that is hard. Keep your chin up bro.

You have a lot of support here at RTB's!

Are you going to get a necropsy done to find out the cause of death?

[Pandorasdad]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

It's amazing how easily we let these creatures coil right around our hearts, isn't it?

Sorry for your loss bra! You know that the RIB family is here for ya!

[HYPOHADES]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

That was very hard to watch...I am very sorry for your loss...some people just do not realize how close we do get with our snakes...I know it does not help but I am very sorry......Mike

[indycop2008]

Re: R . I . P . Otis .......

Sorry about your loss.