Veterinarians Removed Three Golf Balls From Local Snake
A San Antonio pet hospital successfully cleared a snake of foreign objects to avoid a dangerous gastrointestinal blockage.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Reptiles
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Veterinarians at a San Antonio medical facility saved a snake after the animal swallowed three golf balls. The procedure was captured on video and has since gained widespread attention online.
Why it matters
Swallowing foreign objects poses a severe risk of gastrointestinal obstruction in pets, requiring immediate medical intervention to prevent internal damage or death. The team performed this manual removal to address an life-threatening digestive blockage.
Veterinarians extracted three golf balls from the snake during a single procedure. The resulting social media documentation of the event garnered nearly 100,000 likes.
The players
South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital
A San Antonio-based medical facility specializing in the care of non-traditional pets and exotic animals.
The details
The veterinary team heavily sedated the snake before initiating the removal process. By manually manipulating the golf balls through the animal's gastrointestinal tract, the doctors were able to safely guide the objects out through the mouth. This non-surgical approach prevented the need for more invasive procedures, and the snake successfully recovered from the sedation without further complications.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: The hospital published the procedure video on Instagram.
The Home Front
Foreign object ingestion remains a leading cause of emergency visits for both domestic and exotic pets. Managing environmental access to small items like golf balls is critical for owners of animals known to swallow non-food objects.
If you keep pet snakes, conduct a thorough inspection of the enclosure and the surrounding home areas to ensure no small, swallowable objects are accessible. Always contact a qualified veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested a foreign object.
The takeaway
This case underscores the importance of keeping small, loose objects secured away from curious exotic pets. Owners should maintain a list of emergency veterinary contacts that specialize in exotic animal care for rapid response situations.
Further reading
Learn more about common household risks for your pet in our Reptiles section.
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