Surgery saves trinket snake’s life

Dharwad: Timely surgery by veterinarian Dr Anil Kumar Patil saved the life of a trinket snake, which had a malignant tumour in its head.
Recently, the trinket snake ventured into a house in Dharwad. The family members informed snake catcher Somshekar Chennishetty, who rushed to the house and captured it. However, Somshekar observed that the snake had a lump on its head. On learning that it was a non-venomous snake, the snake catcher took it to a veterinary hospital located at the University of agricultural sciences, Dharwad.
After testing, it was diagnosed that the serpent had a cancerous tumour. Dr Anil Kumar Patil said that the snake needed an operation immediately to remove the tumour.
However, the operation was not as easy as expected. As the tumour was in the head, it needed expertise and it took almost two hours to perform this rare surgery on the snake.
Finally, the tumour was removed and the trinket snake is recovering, said Dr Patil.
The doctor said that snakes are very sensitive creatures and it is a challenge for any veterinarian to perform surgery on them. A tumour had developed between the brain and the eye, requiring precision surgery.
The tumour has been removed and the snake is recovering. However, it has been kept under observation to see if the tumour regrows. At present, the trinket is out of danger, he added.
Somshekar thanked Dr Patil for saving the snake.