#HumanityWeeps: Snake undergoes MRI scan in Mumbai for broken spine
What's the story
An injured snake, which was found in a Mumbai suburb, underwent an MRI scan for its broken spine and is on the recovery path after being put through treatment.
The snake, a bamboo pit viper, was found beaten with sticks in Dahisar. The venomous serpent was spotted by a local hawaldar, who handed it over to Anil Kubal, a snake rescuer.
Here's more.
Why MRI?
MRI was required to assess actual damage to snake's spine
The serpent was taken to the clinic of veterinary Dr. Deepa Katyal in suburban Chembur where it was found that its spine had got damaged, Kubal said yesterday.
"The next step was to assess the actual damage to the spine and for that, we needed high-end technology such as MRI. Our request (for a scan) was accepted by radiologist Dr. Ravi Thapar," Kubal said.
First such instance
For first time, I have performed MRI on snake: Doctor
"For the first time, I have performed an MRI scan on a snake. The machine is generally used for humans," said Dr. Thapar.
According to Dr. Trisha DSouza, a veterinarian who was also involved in treatment, the reptile is responding to the medication.
"We are using tubes to feed medicines instead of injecting them. The damaged part has shown recovery," Dr. DSouza said.
Cold laser treatment
Doctor used cold laser treatment on snake; it heals internal-inflammation
"Dr. Katyal has used cold laser treatment for the snake. It was administered for healing the internal inflammation and easing the pain. As the results are good, (and) once the snake recovers fully, we will release it in the forest," Kubal said.
"We are really happy that we could use such high-end and costly technology to rescue the snake," he said.