Surgery

Buttermilk's Surgery

May 10, 2000

On May 2, a lump was discovered about 14" above the vent, which was large enough to be seen, and felt like a rock inside the body. Since this female chondro underwent a false pregnancy late last winter, this lump was suspected to be calcified unfertilized ovum. An initial examination, and x-ray, seemed to confirm this diagnosis, and surgery was decided upon as the best course of treatment. These photos show the various parts of the operation. A big thanks to Dr. Ann Crafton for her expertise, fabulous client relationship, and for allowing me to be present in the OR to photograph the event.

Dr. Ann Crafton relaxes the patient prior to beginning the surgery. The anesthesiologist is behind her, and a tech has just checked the heartbeat.		Buttermilk out cold.
Fat deposit exposed by the initial incision. The snake's body is encased in a sterile gauze sleeve to help isolate the area of the incision.		The blockage lifted clear of the body cavity. The blockage proved to be impacted stool, and not calicfied ovum as initially suspected.
The bowel after the blockage was removed.		The technitian rinses the bowel with sterile saline solution.
Dr. Crafton begins to suture the bowel.		Suturing the bowel.
Re-inserting the sutured bowel back into the body cavity. The cavity was rinsed with saline solution prior to re-insertion.		A look into the body cavity. The dark organ in the very bottom of the cavity is the kidney.
Closing up the incision.		Almost new!
Removing the anesthesia tube.		Buttermilk smiles a weak smile, happy to be done with the operation.

A full recovery is expected. A course of amakacin (an antibiotic) was prescribed to help ward off any infection. The vet recommended withholding food for two weeks, followed by some small meals. Hopefully Buttermilk will be fully recovered, conditioned, and ready to breed in the fall of 2000.