Lung Wash?

[zeion97]

This is a very straight forward question.. what is a lung wash? Besides my vet refusing to explain what a lung wash was, I can find nothing of what it actually is. All I know is that if it's done I'm looking at a bill worth more then I want to say.... can someone please explain this, And tell me, is It really going to help with an RI or just put my snakes life in more danger then what it's already been put in..

[VEXER19]

I dont know but if your vet didnt even want to tell you what it is then it is probably a bad idea or is evasive. If you dont want to shell out the cash then get a second opinion. Was it a reptile vet?

[VEXER19]

Well I just looked it up and found it in 2 seconds and it involves putting a catheter down you snakes throat so obviously you should just let it be cause only an experienced vet or medical personal should do such a thing.

Edit: It is also just to obtain a sample and not a fix. Did your snake get pneumonia?

[kitedemon]

A lung wash is the method used to get a culture of the bacteria causing the RI so the most effective antibiotics can be found. I would recommend the culture but I would also recommend a new vet. Failing to take the time to explain a procedure and why to you the client is not acceptable. The vet experienced or not should be forth coming with information a good vet works WITH you not just make decisions and asking you to pay for it with little to no explanation.

[VEXER19]

http://www.petplace.com/reptiles/pne...kes/page1.aspx

If you want to see procedures/treatments/homecare for your snake and what is involved. Hope this helps.

[VEXER19]

A lung wash is the method used to get a culture of the bacteria causing the RI so the most effective antibiotics can be found. I would recommend the culture but I would also recommend a new vet. Failing to take the time to explain a procedure and why to you the client is not acceptable. The vet experienced or not should be forth coming with information a good vet works WITH you not just make decisions and asking you to pay for it with little to no explanation.

Well put.

[zeion97]

Well I just looked it up and found it in 2 seconds and it involves putting a catheter down you snakes throat so obviously you should just let it be cause only an experienced vet or medical personal should do such a thing.

Edit: It is also just to obtain a sample and not a fix. Did your snake get pneumonia?

I did a Google search and all I got what an article about it being done to a snake in a zoo.. to answer the other question, yes, the vet is a certified Reptile vet.. dare I say that. I personally believe all she cares about is a quick Buck.. to the pneumonia question, I'm going to be honest, I don't know. He had the "cottage" cheese in throat, which the medicine shots got rid of, but the bubbles inside his mouth we just can't get to stop. His trachea isn't swollen any more really and he breaths a lot better, but he is still sick. I've gone back and forth with this vet and I can't stand any more.. she "forcefully" tried to force feed my pastel Because he lost a whole 60 grams. (Which he weighs just over 1,100)

I really just don't know any more, and the only other vet I can't get a hold of.. to make matters worse one of our juveniles is starting to get sick. Which because of correct husbandry I'm going to say was human error.. (as in I had some on me or something..)

[VEXER19]

Did the vet even give you a diagnosis? Or run any tests?

[zeion97]

A lung wash is the method used to get a culture of the bacteria causing the RI so the most effective antibiotics can be found. I would recommend the culture but I would also recommend a new vet. Failing to take the time to explain a procedure and why to you the client is not acceptable. The vet experienced or not should be forth coming with information a good vet works WITH you not just make decisions and asking you to pay for it with little to no explanation.

Thank you that is some good info! And I'm going to be.honest again... I want another Vet. But the only other vet I just can't get a hold of. And the one time I did, I was on hold for a few hours before they hung up. I'm also trying to avoid it in the beginning after hearing that they killed my friends RTB a few years ago when attempting to give it's shot, then told him "not our fault your snake was sick" both the vets around here sicken me.. don't get me wrong, I Love my animals, and I try to give them the best lives that I can, but after almost a 1,000 on vet bills for one snake alone.. it's hard to keep paying the vet for failing treatments..

[Homegrownscales]

Personally I would find another vet ASAP. 60g on a 1100g animal is not a massive enough amount of weight to undergo a stressful treatment such as a ff. That vet would be on my crap list from that already. Secondly to not explain a treatment to a patients owner is UNACCEPTABLE. Since the animal is still sick and possibly needing more abos id keep the hotspot at around 94.f and never let the ambient and cool zone go under 80-85.f. Humidity @ 60% As little stress as necessary. Also id give a couple good soaks while off the abos. To make sure the animal stays hydrated. If he shld get back on abos a good soak everyday to every other day will keep him well hydrated. Water temp at 88.f.
Keep the enclosure clean... Like sterile clean especially if there's alot of mucus to prevent any further reinfections.
Anyways these are a few of the things I do whenever I see balls with Ris. I generally get at least 1-5 rescues with an Ri yearly so I've dealt with a few of them.


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