I have a snail with a collapsed mantel. He's still alive, however, I'm afriad it may be kindest to put him down. I've read that you can put them in the fridge or freezer but I've always used clove oil with fish I had to euthanize. Would clove oil work with a snail? Is there a more humane/painless way to do it? No, I can't smash him with a hammer, so that's out...
Euthanizing a snail.
- Thread starter iamgroovy
- Start date
i would go with the freezing method...get some water and put it in the freezer until it gets a "skin" on it...drop the snail in, it should be inert very quickly, then put it in the freezer until solidified.....seems cruel...but a collapsed mantle means days or longer of suffering. My poor mr. mysterious (rip) died that way and it was awful.
Thanks everyone. I think I'll try as msjinkxd suggested.I don't want him to suffer.
The cold water may not kill him very fast, I had a mystery(just guessing that that's what you have) living in my pond after it froze over.
As bad as it sounds, I'd take a brick and smash him.
Thanks Bettagirl. Yes, it's mystery snail. I've moved him to a shallow container (just enough water cover him) and have been feeding him by hand. He's eating ravenously and has even managed to right himself and is moving around a little. In looking at him closer, I think his mantle may only be partially collapsed. Is it possible for them to recover from this? I don't want to prolong his suffering but he seems alot better since I moved him.
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over at www.applesnail.net they say that although snails can continue to live for some time, they rarely ever recover from a collapsed mantle. It would be a quality of life issue, if its eating, pooping, and moving around...I would wait on euthanasia. If it seems to be distressed or uncomfortable I would euthanize.