Bump at injection site..help

[snakeLVR]

Hi All, hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I brought my Woma python to the vet, because it seemed he was showing signs of a respiratory infection. I was right , and $160 dollars later, I now have to give him shots of Baytril. I am waiting for a culture too. I had never given any of my 26 snakes a shot before, so I was absolutely petrified of the idea of having to do this to my snake. The vet showed me, of course ,it was a snap for her. I did his injection today, and thought all went well, though it was very stressful, but I am now seeing a bump at the injection site. I am so worried. I made sure I didn't go just under the skin, the vet told me burns can occur with Baytril if you do that. Any advice would be appreciated, I hope I didn't ruin him for life! He is 2 years old . Thanks in advance!

[Rapture]

Baytril can cause scarring at injection sites... not sure if there is anything you can do about it. I haven't used it yet... if you're worried maybe you should ask your vet for advice.

[TheresaBearden]

Unfortunately there's not much you can do about that-Baytril has to be given intramuscularly. He probably will end up with a scar unfortunately-you can use Neosporin on the site but seeing as Baytril is an antibiotic the bump will be a clean spot. The next time after you start go ahead and make sure if he moves-stop plunging the needle so this doesn't happen again. I've had the same thing happen to one of our burms-it was devastating and I had felt horrible but the vet told us these things do happen. I am so sorry but you took him to the vet and that speaks volumes how much you care for your snake.

[bonheki]

that sucks and that seems pretty scary

[SoundUnsleep]

A lump at the injection site is rather common when Baytril is given to snakes. That lump is often caused simply by the body identifying the Baytril as a foreign substance and the body trying to keep the Baytril separated. Right after giving the injection lightly massage the injection site, as this will help distribute the Baytril into the tissue. That kind of lump can last anywhere from 24 hours to four days.
Scarring (necrotic tissue) ussually occurs with higher doses of Baytril, that could be avoided by diluting the Baytril with saline. If you are worried about the dosage/weight ratio possibly being on the high side, contact your vet and ask, if the Baytril should be diluted.
Best of luck!

[MelissaFlipski]

Unfortunately there's not much you can do about that-Baytril has to be given intramuscularly. He probably will end up with a scar unfortunately-you can use Neosporin on the site but seeing as Baytril is an antibiotic the bump will be a clean spot. The next time after you start go ahead and make sure if he moves-stop plunging the needle so this doesn't happen again. I've had the same thing happen to one of our burms-it was devastating and I had felt horrible but the vet told us these things do happen. I am so sorry but you took him to the vet and that speaks volumes how much you care for your snake.

FYI, on another thread, I saw someone say you can use a triple antibiotic ointment, but not Neosporin. Here is the link:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56490

[snakeLVR]

A lump at the injection site is rather common when Baytril is given to snakes. That lump is often caused simply by the body identifying the Baytril as a foreign substance and the body trying to keep the Baytril separated. Right after giving the injection lightly massage the injection site, as this will help distribute the Baytril into the tissue. That kind of lump can last anywhere from 24 hours to four days.
Scarring (necrotic tissue) ussually occurs with higher doses of Baytril, that could be avoided by diluting the Baytril with saline. If you are worried about the dosage/weight ratio possibly being on the high side, contact your vet and ask, if the Baytril should be diluted.
Best of luck!

That seems like exactly what it might be than, as I was sure I went into the muscle, and not near the skin, as the vet informed me, this is what causes the scarring, not going deep enough into the muscle. The lump seems to be going down a little now, I gave the injection at 3:00. The scales seem fine, I made sure I went under a scale as the vet showed me. The vet I am using is an awesome and knowledgable herp vet, Dr Heather Skaggs. I will definately ask her about dilution. Thanks again!!!!

[snakeLVR]

Well, I have given him so far a total of 3 shots,( it is getting easier ) and the bumps did go down all times. I talked to the vet, and she said the bumps are a natural reaction. I don't see any problems ( burns etc) with the scales/skin so far, so I guess I am doing the injections correctly.

[MelissaFlipski]

I gave Mrs. Snake her first at home shots today. The Baytril did the same to her. So I'm glad I saw this thread. I just very gently rubbed/put pressure on it while I held her for a few minutes. It went down a little already.

So, thanks to the OP for beating me to the punch on the question. It helped me, too.

[Freakie_frog]

Burns from Baytril occur when to high a concentration is given. From what I have been told the 100 concentration is for large Boas and the 22.7 mixture is for smaller snakes. I have had to give Baytril its no fun but not a big deal. Try giving it to one that doesn't sit still and loves to bite. I am dealing with that now.