Nice vet!

[KJE]

As some of you may remember, I have been treating our BP for an RI for about a month and a half now. We tried 2 different antibiotics. Nether of them worked.

I called my vet today because he's lost so much weight from refusing to eat. He also can't hardly breath, holds his head up as high as he can get it, and makes terrible noises with each breath.

The vet wanted me to drop him off and let him keep him for a couple days to see if there is anything else we can do for him before we euthanize him. I told him I couldn't afford to pay for that right now. I have already paid out a lot with trying to treat the RI. He said he wouldn't charge me anything.

He is the same vet that the local reptile rescue recommends. He's an avian/exotic vet. He's suppose to be the best in the Cincinnati area. I just wanted to share my experience with this vet in case anyone ever needs a good one. His name is Dr. Bob Dahlhausen.

I will let you all know what happens with my BP. Although, the vet really thinks its a virus. I never thought a snake could make me cry, but this one did. He was our first and I cared for him like a mother cares for her child.

[Kristy]

Aww I am sorry he isn't going better. I really hope the vet can figure it out though.

Personally though, before dropping him off I would seek a second opinion. Especially after treatments with two antibiotics failed.

I really hope they can find out what it is. Keep us updated and best wishes.

Kristy

[elevatethis]

Were you administering the antibiotics orally or by injection?

[SatanicIntention]

I have one here with an RI that kept getting worse. I did two different types of antibiotics, as well as a combo of two, and then did a culture. The culture showed that the bacteria she had was resistant to almost every antibiotic out there.

The good news was.. the antibiotics that the bacteria was susceptible to are the cheapest and easiest to find(and I actually have some in my cabinet). Thank goodness for Trimethoprim Sulfa

I recommend doing a culture and nebulizing the snake with some albuterol or another bronchodilator in the meantime before euthanizing. You never know what could happen.

[KJE]

He was getting the AB's through injection. He got 2 weeks of Amikacin and 4 weeks of Ceftazidime.

From what I understand, when they have been on AB's a culture will not be accurate.

I'm sure the vet will do everything possible for him. Since he is the best exotic vet in my area I will stick with him. He treats pretty much all of the reptiles in the Cincinnati area. He's the only local person that focuses strictly on birds and exotics.

[SatanicIntention]

If the bacteria isn't susceptible to the antibiotics given, the culture will be effective. Since the bacteria isn't dying with the antibiotics given to the snake, they are going to grow in the culture medium that doesn't have any antibiotic present. I'd still get a culture done. My vet thought it was a virus too, but it really want just a nasty, resistant bacteria.

My girl has been on antibiotics since 9/1, and I just sent off the culture this past Monday. Came back yesterday with what it was and what it is resistant, intermediate and susceptible to. Hopefully a change in antibiotics will do the trick. It was only intermediate to Baytril, which is what I have been using. So that's probably why she hasn't really been getting worse or better.

*sending lots of good luck to your snakie*