Gastrotomy in a Checkered Keelback snake for the removal of a fishhook: A case report

Abstract

A Checkered Keelback snake was presented with a history of being caught on a fishing line and had swallowed the hook along with the bait. The fishhook was palpable in the middle third of the body. Based on the definitive history and confirmation on palpation, the decision for surgical retrieval of the hook was taken. The snake was anaesthetised using inj. ketamine @ 20 mg/kg and inj. diazepam @ 0.4 mg/kg intramuscularly. A ventral midline celiotomy followed by Gastrotomy were performed and the hook was removed. An antibiotic and an analgesic were administered. The snake was kept off feed for four days with supportive parenteral fluid therapy following which it was fed orally every two days. The snake recovered uneventfully and was released back into the wild.