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A non-ven health question re: Upper respiratories
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by Ambrosia on November 3, 2003
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I have a giant female blood python, 30+ lbs. We just got her and she was ill when we brought her home. Upper respiratory. So bad she is "foaming" at the mouth. I am currently treating her with Baytril, but am unsure of the dosage. I am using 3/10 insulin syringes and only giving her .20 of that every three days. Should I give her more or less? And more often? I have never had an animal this sick. I would take her to the local vet, but they flat out refused to see reptiles of any sort! Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you, Mary Ann
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RE: A non-ven health question re: Upper respirator
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by Ambrosia on November 3, 2003
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Oh yeah... She looks like she may be gravid, too. Will the antibiotics affect the embryos if that is so?
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RE: A non-ven health question re: Upper respirator
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by JTEDENS on November 3, 2003
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Baytril can cause boas to have slugs, I don't know about pythons though. I would check VPI.com. Look through the mailbag, there's probably something in there about this situation. As for the dosing I may have an accurate dosing schedule at home. If so I will post again tonight. Since she is already foaming at the mouth you need to get her on the right dose of antibiotics soon. As you probably know, by the time a snake shows signs of an illness, it is fairly advanced.
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RE: A non-ven health question re: Upper respirator
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by BanffshireBushman on November 3, 2003
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Mary, From experience, respiratory diseases are common, especially in snakes. Respiratory disease may be associated with incorrect environmental conditions such as too low temperatures or too high relative humidity (RH). It also occurs due to bacterial, viral or parasitic infections. Any snake that is reported to be gasping/blowing bubbles or "foaming" MUST be given a thorough clinical examination to rule out respiratory signs associated with terminal septicaemia.
If there is excess accumulation of fluid in the mouth, originating from the glottis, then a sample should be taken and examined under the microscope for presence of larvae, eggs, or bacteria. Only this will give an indication of how the case should be treated. I personally do NOT RECOMMEND the use of Baytril, as it is too widly referred to as the do-all cure. Too many veterinarians rely on prescribing this, and it is very easy to overdose. ( Even vets have got it wrong in the past) Please do not use Baytril as your only hope. If the vet refuses to view the reptile, then TAKE A SWAB FROM THE MOUTH. Collect a sample. ALSO collect a faecal sample and take it to them for lab testing. If you can take a blood sample as well, then even better.
Again, Baytril will not treat that many problems, and will only work on minor cases. It is not the broad spectrum Wonder-Drug that cures all. I'm sorry I cannot recommend any drug for you to try, as this is illegal to to so. I wish you every success with your animal, and with finding someone qualified who is willing to accept reptiles. Kindest regards. David Gerrard.
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RE: A non-ven health question re: Upper respirator
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by TomT on November 3, 2003
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I could not agree with David Gerard more. Get the animal to a *qualified* exotics Veterinarian and allow him or her to treat the actual pathogens involved in the URI and the snake will get better. Fooling around with something as serious as a respiratory infection may lead to a dead snake, particularly if the snake is "foaming" at the mouth already.
I would elevate cage temperature to 88-90 degrees with a relative humidity of 80% in the interim..... and get to the vet post-haste in the morning...
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RE: A non-ven health question re: Upper respirator
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by Ambrosia on November 4, 2003
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Thank you both for your responses. As for getting her to a vet, that is easier said than done. Our vet here will not have anything to do with "us". She does not like us, "We are not normal", because we keep snakes... We live in a very remote area and to get her to a vet elsewhere would be about 400-500+ miles. And that is only if I could find a vet who specializes in exotics. As for the baytril. I will refrain from using it anymore. The most curious thing has happened however. We were feeding tonight and she took two rats without a problem. She is still sick, but the symptoms are residing. I will work on trying to get samples to someone. Maybe I can get them to the vet at our friends zoo. Thank you again, Mary
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RE: A non-ven health question re: Upper respirator
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by Deuce on November 4, 2003
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Try to get some amikacin, or chloramphenicol from your vet. Amikacin worked great for RI I dealt with. Like TT said, keep it warm, and make sure it's hydrated. Good luck, TF
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