Before & After of Phoenix, the worst of the Fire Victims from April 2016

Phoenix and 3 ball pythons were in a wooden box/cage that caught on fire. Phoenix pushed his way through the burning wood to escape, leaving him with half of his face burnt off and a large burn on his back. One of other ball pythons followed out of the burning box but died later that day. The two remaining ball pythons burned to death. 

Phoenix was the worst of all the burn victims. We were afraid that his eye was destroyed by the fire along with his lips and heat vents. He was severely emaciated and badly dehydrated. Dr Folland and I did not believe he would survive. We tube fed him multiple times to give him the nutrition to fight his burns. When he finally started to shed off the burnt skin, we were shocked to see movement in his eye! SHOCKED! His eye ball seriously was a shriveled up rock. He has most of the vision in his eye now. Half of his mouth still flares outward and he has areas of white, pignmentless skin, but he looks SO much better than we ever thought he would. 

You can see why we named him Phoenix. This poor blood python was sadly dying from poor care before the fire and literally crawled through the fire to a new life. 

Smoke Inhalation Effects Continue

Scorch, the male Burmese python pulled out of a burning house in April, almost died tonight as he started coughing up thick mucus that had accumulated in his lungs. 

His fearless owner spent an hour sucking globs of mucus out of his trachea to keep him from suffocating and then giving him mouth to mouth resuscitation until he started breathing on his own. 

My heart stopped when I read about how close Scorch came to dying. I laid down on my bed and cried as I chatted with Scorch's owner over Messenger. 

My guess is that Scorch's lungs secreted a mucus layer around the ash particles in his lungs and they collected into globs. I also suspect this is why Kindle died a couple months ago.  

The effects of the smoke continue. :( I'll be heartbroken if Scorch dies. He is absolutely adored by his owner. 

The fire was a nightmare in so many ways. I'm so sad that it hasn't ended. 

Remember Flame?

Flame was the only Beardie pulled out of the house fire in April. I honestly wasn't sure he'd ever make it. 

He was very skinny and very lethargic. 

Despite a neurological problem that leaves his head shaking frequently, Flame has done great. 

He went from 185 grams to 467 grams! 

He's not much of a snuggler, but he *loves* sunny Windows. 

He will stay here with me until the day he dies. Flame or "Flamey" or "Flame Mingnon" is our Beardie. My whole family adores him. 

Remember Scorch?

Scorch, the male Burmese Python, has become a local celebrity in his new town in Southern Utah. His owner adores this big guy and often takes him to the park to "play" and meet people. 

This was him on April 14, 2016. 

This is him now. 

His weight has more than doubled. 

His owner calls him a "Puppy Dog." I love the frequent updates. 

Sweet Kindle

Kindle was the female Burmese python who was pulled out of the house fire in April. She has been healthy and very loved in her new home.

Sadly, she very unexpectedly died this week. It caught us all by surprise. Her owner is heartbroken.

Sometimes even our best efforts can't undo the damage of neglect done before we rescue reptiles.

Rest in Peace, Sweet Kindle. You were loved and adored.

Remember Phoenix?

Phoenix, the blood Python, was the worst of the fire victims. He pushed his way out of a burning wood crate that killed three other snakes. Half of his face was charred and we weren't sure if he'd make it. 

Today Phoenix is a champion! He eats great and is healthy. His face continues to clear up too. 

This is what he looked like when he left my house this summer. 

This is him now. 

He has FULL use of his eye. We feared it has been burned out. Nope!!! SO glad to be wrong. 

And look how chunky he is! 

He was very underweight when he had him because he hadn't eaten for over SIX months! 

Phoenix finally looks like a normal blood Python and is absolutely adored by his owner. 

Scorch and Kindle at the Vet

These two gorgeous snakes had a recheck at the vet today. I met their new owners there and was amazed at their progress. 

Kindle has a mouth wound that's been treated with antibiotic drops, but looks great. 

Scorch was almost doubled his body weight! He's gorgeous. 

Both of these snakes are definitely living their "Happily Ever Afters." 

Some "Before & After" Pics of the Fire Victims

Torch, a Savannah monitor

Kindle, a female Burmese python

Flame, a translucent bearded dragon

Phoenix, a blood python

Scorch, a male Burmese python

Phoenix ate again!

Once I warmed it up enough, Phoenix went crazy for a small rat. 

He's well on his way to recovery. He fits his name so completely! I love it. 

Guess Who Ate Last Night?!?!

Phoenix!!!!

Cue the HAPPY dance!!! 

This guy truly is a Survivor! 

BEST News E.V.E.R.!!!

I got the BEST news today. Phoenix, the worst of the fire victims, will actually be able to SEE out of his burnt eye (the one we thought was dead). The burnt skin has healed up nicely and he is doing great. He'll always have a white head without scales, but he's healed like he should. 

Our next goal is to get him to eat on his own. He's lost a lot of weight, but once he starts eating, he'll be fine. 

Last week's vet visit didn't go well at all and I was prepared to choose to have Phoenix put down. Instead I got the best news ever!

This is the piece of skin that was burnt the worst. You can see how charred it was. 

Truly, this snake is a Survivor!! He literally crawled out of the ashes to grow again. 

Phoenix Update

Tonight was my first time giving Phoenix an antibiotic shot. He hated it, but I got it in him. Then I recoated his face and neck with antibiotic cream. The skin on his head and neck are so crispy and dead. I suspect that it will take 3 or 4 sheds before he's able to get healthy skin back. 

The good news is that he was strong and quick in fighting me. That's a good sign. His next vet visit is Wednesday and I hope we can tube feed him successfully again. 

Sweet Blaze

I'm sad to report that Blaze, the sickly Savannah monitor fire victim, died this afternoon. He laid down on a super soft blankie this afternoon and passed away very peacefully. 

He will be buried in my flower garden with the other sweet lizards that I've lost over the past few years. 

Sorry, Baby, that I couldn't save you. I tried so hard.

Poor Baby Blaze

My heart is very sad this morning. I found Blaze, the sickest Savannah monitor, on his side with his eyes unfocused and his neck turned in a weird way. I honestly thought he was already dead. He moved when I picked him up but not much. His eyes wouldn't focus. 

Poor buddy has never been healthy; he was severely malnourished and underweight (no obvious trauma from the fire). We've tube-fed him and force fed him since we got him-- he's never eaten or drank on his own. He's been to the vet twice with another vet visit scheduled tomorrow. I'm not sure if he'll make it through the day. 

I held him and loved on him for awhile before putting him into a special "Sick" tank that is filled with super soft blankies. He'll stay there for now. If he makes it through the day, I expect tomorrow morning my vet will recommend we let him be out of his misery. :( 

Poor Blaze. I know I can't save every critter, but I sure tried hard to save you. I really didn't want to lose any of the fire victims. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. :`(

Sickly Blaze

This poor Savvy looks terrible today. :( He's out of his hide, but limp and lethargic.

Vet visit on Monday to see what we can do for him. 

The glass is wet because I gave him his morning spray. He usually loves it, but today he just laid there. 

I took this pic after I published this post:

Fire Victims Update: a Letter of Conditions to be Met

A letter of conditions to be met for the return of the fire victims was sent via Certified US mail yesterday. We've tried to be fair and focus only on the things that will insure these reptiles remain in great health. At this point, I have no idea how it will be received.

Here is a copy of the letter with some identifying information removed (see original post HERE)

May 9, 2016

Dear Mr. ----------

Following a house fire at your place of residence on April 6, 2016, you dropped off 11 reptiles (7 snakes & 4 lizards) on April 7, 2016 to [my partner's house] with a verbal agreement that Marybeth & I would take over their care and vet treatment. The first vet appointment was on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Four more visits were made on 4/9/16, 4/11/16, 4/14/16, and 4/27/16. To date we have spent a total of approximately $1,690: $1,043.19 in vet expenses (including several discounts) and $650 in additional expenses for enclosures, supplies, food, etc. We anticipate an additional $200 in vet care for 3 of the snakes and 2 of the lizards.

The goal from the beginning has been to return the reptiles to their owner when they are healthy and finished with vet treatment. However, we believe it is essential to ensure that the reptiles will then be cared for properly in accordance with the wishes of the 50+ donors who have generously donated over $1,200 to their care. Consequently, we feel it necessary to add a few conditions for the return of the reptiles.

1. Each of the reptiles must complete their vet care before being returned.

2. Since last Thursday, we have had FOUR separate, non-related adults demand the return of these reptiles and are no longer confident who the owner actually is. We need proof of ownership in the form of adoption contracts, receipts, purchase forms, or other similar documents.

3. We need the address of a stable residence where the reptiles will be kept. The residence will need to have the utilities necessary to provide the appropriate climate for the reptiles, including heat and electricity. Our rescue committee will conduct a brief home visit to make sure everything is ready (including the setups described below) before we return the reptiles.

4. Permanent enclosures for five of the reptiles will need to be provided:
− 2 large enclosures for the albino Burmese pythons (bigger than a 75 gallon each)
− 1 large enclosure for the Nile monitor (bigger than a 55 gallon)
− 1 large enclosure for the adult red tail (bigger than a 55 gallon)
The other reptiles will be returned in setups that were donated or purchased for them with donated funds.

5. We have received multiple reports from people who prefer to remain anonymous regarding conditions of severe neglect and abuse occurring in the house in West Valley prior to the fire. Additional reports of outstanding warrants and drug abuse have also come to us from reliable sources and have been verified through state websites. The legal owner of the reptiles must not have any outstanding warrants or other issues that might result in the animals being unexpectedly abandoned due to the owner’s arrest.

If you feel that these conditions are unfair, we will consider returning the reptiles as is without any further care and without any setups included if you demonstrate ownership and reimburse all expenses so we can refund our donors and our rescue members. An exact spreadsheet of expenses will be provided upon request, but it will take up to 10 business days to get a complete and accurate expense record (along with copies receipts & statements) to you.

You are welcome to communicate with me through the email address or post office box listed above. If either of these methods are used for harassment or abuse, I will feel justified in cutting off all contact. In addition, if you continue to harass Marybeth (at her home OR at her work), I will assist her in obtaining a restraining order. I sincerely hope this is not necessary.

If you do not accept these conditions, please feel free to consult with a lawyer. In return, I am prepared to retain an animal rights lawyer if necessary to make sure these reptiles get the necessary care. Again, if you choose to take this route, please have your lawyer contact me through the above email and address.

Sincerely,

Sarah --------

Before and After Shedding, Scorch

Last night-- 

Today-- 

I love keep the old sheds--

Before and After Shedding, Kindle

Kindle before she shed-- 

Kindle after she shed-- 

She's so soft and fresh! Her mouth looks great. Such an adorable girl!! Her eyes are clearer too. 

Shedding is such a good sign of health for them. 

Ouch

Sometimes checking out at the vet is more painful than others. 

Here's the receipt for another round of antibiotics for Kindle & Scorch (the 2 albino Burmese pythons). 

Yep. Just antibiotic shots. $166.99. 

Ouch. 

An Update on the Fire Victims

I posted this long update tonight on the GoFundMe campaign raising money for the 11 reptiles pulled out of a burning house fire. I'm going to post it here too.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Again, I apologize for being so long between updates. 

Quickly, let me say all of the reptiles continue to progress. Even poor Phoenix is doing okay. We fully expect them to all recover. 

But let me address a more serious issue. Since we took in these reptiles, there have been a lot of rumors, questions, and accusations made regarding the owners and the conditions the reptiles lived in before the house burned down. The more we heard, the harder we worked to help the reptiles to become healthy. 

The only concerns we paid attention to were from both of our reptile vets. After examining several of the fire victims, they are convinced the reptiles are suffering more because of poor husbandry and neglect from *before* the fire. 

Our goal has been and always will be the reptiles. The state, city, police, and insurance companies can determine who/what/when/where about the fire. They can figure all that out and it has (thankfully) nothing to do with us. We do keep track of what's going on so we can have a better picture of where these guys came from. But that's about it. 

We have spent every single penny (and hundreds of our own) getting these 11 reptiles healthy again. We will NOT let them be returned to or put into a position where they will starve again. I don't expect to have a battle concerning their future, but I wanted to make it clear right here that the 7 snakes and 4 lizards will stay in environments where they are cared for, fed, and housed appropriately. For now and the next few months, that environment is with us. Until they are released from active vet care this summer, they have to stay where they are. 

Our goal has been and will continue to be to keep the reptiles in the BEST possible care. I hope you will trust us to do what is right by them now and in the next year. 

Again, you are welcome to contact me and I'm happy to share with you copies of the vet bills & receipts for all of our purchases. When I get a moment this week, I'll post pics of the new set ups for the albino Burmese and monitors. They are SOOO cool! :) 

Thank you again for all you do.