SSS rescues another snake, this time an adult cobra

The Snake Saviours Society (SSS) has rescued yet another reptile, this time an adult cobra.

The snake was injured and in pain for more than a week.

Noticing that there was something wrong with it, people of Krishaiahpalem village, 15 km from Tanuku in West Godavari district, informed the Forest Department, which, in turn, alerted the SSS.

SSS founder Kranthi Chadalawada, based in Jangareddygudem, drove 80 km to rescue the emaciated snake, and rushed it to the State Institute of Animal Health (SIAH) in Tanuku.

The SSS had rescued a six-month-old cobra after people hit it and broke its vertebral column in Ramachandrapuram near Jangareddygudem 10 days ago. The veterinarians of the Nidadavolu Veterinary Centre had sewed up its broken back and stuffed back the intestines that had come out. The adult cobra, however, was more lucky as it suffered injury close to SIAH. It was taken straight into the operation theatre for first-aid and treatment.

Liquid food

Veterinary assistant surgeon R. Sridhar said that when he received the adult Cobra, it was very weak.

A tube was put into its throat. It was given food in liquid form with a jumbo syringe. The snake responded to this line of treatment. An X-ray showed a gap in the vertebral column, about six inches below the hood. The snake also had an external injury on its hood. The injuries prevented it from eating and moving away from the place it was attacked, Dr. Sridhar said. “We will feed the snake mashed chicken and raw egg. We will put a splint at the point where it is injured on the vertebral column. The splint will be kept in place for around 15 days. Once the splint is put, the snake cannot feed. It can go without food for two weeks after feeding once. After a fortnight, the splint will be removed to see its condition,,” Dr. Sridhar said.