feeding while recovering from RI

[well_armed]

I took Earl to the vet last week for treatment of an RI. She was given 2 injectable meds that i have to administer every 3 days for a total of 9 doses.

My question to the people of bp.net is should I feed her while she is on the meds?

[jglass38]

I have never been advised to not feed while on meds. Seems to me that they could use the nutrition to fight off the illness. I could be way off but I would continue to feed if they continue to eat. Just make sure that the feeding is not within 24 hours of the stress of an injection (so no regurge). I am sure others have different (and prob more qualified opinions)

[Pythons Rock]

I just went through this w/ an adult male rescue I have. I was advised to try to feed on the day you normally would, if the meal is refused then try again the following scheduled feeding day. As for mine he didn't feed during the injection cycle. He finally ate two weeks after they were done.

[well_armed]

Thanks for the replies.

[Adam_Wysocki]

I wait until all of the anti-biotic injections are complete until I offer food.

Between the stress of the shots (or tubing) and the fact that sometimes the drugs interact with the snakes gastro-intestinal system really leave the snake susceptible to a regurg which will only compound the problem.

Also, the process of digestion takes energy away from the snakes immune system.

If your snake is otherwise healthy, there is no harm waiting the 3 - 4 weeks it takes to administer the meds.

If the snake is already malnourished then that's a different story, but a snake with good body weight can go several months without food and be fine.

-adam

[jglass38]

I wait until all of the anti-biotic injections are complete until I offer food.

Between the stress of the shots (or tubing) and the fact that sometimes the drugs interact with the snakes gastro-intestinal system really leave the snake susceptible to a regurg which will only compound the problem.

Also, the process of digestion takes energy away from the snakes immune system.

If your snake is otherwise healthy, there is no harm waiting the 3 - 4 weeks it takes to administer the meds.

If the snake is already malnourished then that's a different story, but a snake with good body weight can go several months without food and be fine.

-adam

Makes sense! Seems like if that is the case than the herp vets are consistently giving the wrong info. The champ is here!

[Adam_Wysocki]

Makes sense! Seems like if that is the case than the herp vets are consistently giving the wrong info. The champ is here!

There's a big difference between what the books say and practical experience. To a vet, based on what they've been taught the info seems right ... different story once you've actually treated more than a few ball pythons with RI.

-adam

[jglass38]

There's a big difference between what the books say and practical experience. To a vet, based on what they've been taught the info seems right ... different story once you've actually treated more than a few ball pythons with RI.

-adam

To clarify, would you say this goes for any type of treatment or just RIs?

[Adam_Wysocki]

To clarify, would you say this goes for any type of treatment or just RIs?

What other type of treatment were you thinking of?

I personally don't feed when a snake is being administered anti-biotics or de-wormers, but if I'm treating a rescue for a burn (without using anti-biotics), scale rot (without using anti-biotics), external parasites, open wounds, etc, I will offer them very small meals on feeding day.

I don't sweat feeding like many do. I think that the majority of ball pythons in captivity are way overfed. It's not a big deal to skip a week, or several weeks.

-adam

[jglass38]

What other type of treatment were you thinking of?

I personally don't feed when a snake is being administered anti-biotics or de-wormers, but if I'm treating a rescue for a burn (without using anti-biotics), scale rot (without using anti-biotics), external parasites, open wounds, etc, I will offer them very small meals on feeding day.

I don't sweat feeding like many do. I think that the majority of ball pythons in captivity are way overfed. It's not a big deal to skip a week, or several weeks.

-adam

That about covered it. I was actually referring to worming medication or other meds for internal parasites. My only experience treating sick animals (knock on wood) has been with a rescue that had been starved. Not feeding for that period of time wasn't an option in my opinion. Good stuff!!