On medicine, nearing shed.

[Rukachu]

Hello!

I recently was was given a rescued ball python. Nagini is a four and a half foot long male who came to our home with a rather severe case of mouth rot. We took him to the local reptile veterinarian who in turn placed the poor guy on three different types of medications, two of which are to be administered twice a day. Today, as my girlfriend and I were administering his medicine, we noticed that he had the tell tale signs of a nearing shed: milky eyes, dull coloring...

My main question is: should we continue on with his medications (an oral antibiotic, a gel for his mouth rot, and drops to help clear his nostrils.) as prescribed or should we hold off until after his shed?

i understand that he needs the medicine to overcome his mouth rot, but I also know how much handling a ball when shedding is highly stressful for the snake. And what would be more traumatizing than being unable to see someone forcing medicine on you?

any suggestions?

[coldbloodaddict]

#1 suggestion call the vet who prescribed the meds...

#2 suggestion keep giving the meds...

[bcr229]

I would continue to treat unless the vet said otherwise, especially with an antibiotic - stopping and starting creates drug-resistant bacteria.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Keep going with the meds. Shedding isn't that stressful - mouth rot is.