[Foreign body in the stomach of a snake. Surgical removal. Case report]

A stone, which had been accidentally swallowed by a ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta rossaleni) and which had been present in the stomach for as long as four days, was surgically removed by coeliotomy and gastrotomy. Anaesthesia was produced by Metomidate (Hypnodil) in a doses of 10 mg/kg of body weight. The wall of the stomach was sutured by continuous Lembert sutures. The skin and muscles were closed with single sutures. Recovery was successful and complete.