injecting antibiotics

Lucy, my 2 year old ball just got diagnosed with a mild case of scale rot. she is getting 2 shots every 3 days plus a daily rub down of medicated cream... anyways tonight while giving her her shots (first time done by me without the doc around) we had a few "oopsies", shed squirm (duh!) and the needle would either be forced out or accidently shoved pretty far in and bent (that only happened once :weirdface) besides the worry of me accidently puncturing one of her major organs when that happend, i finally got the shots in but where they were injected the skin is a hard raised bump. i am assuming i didnt go in far enough? and hopefully her body will absorb the meds and her bumps will go away?!

this whole giving your snake its shot is not my thing!!! its so nerve racking, makes me get all ansy and nauseas :(

if anyone has some useful tips, PLEASE let me know, we only have 16 more to go! lol.

ive done a ton of injections and the first few were always the hardest. Each time you do them it gets easier and easier. I assume your doing it in the first 1\3 of its body. A slight bump will appear after the injection rub it with ur thumb gently for a few seconds. It will go down shortly. Be very careful with the needles bending. Are you going between the scales???

my vet told me the lump is from not sticking it in far enough. BUT it will absorb- itll just take longer. I had to inject my snake with baytrill for 2 weeks lol it was tough ino how you feel.

TIPs:
get 2 people 1 to hold the snake another to inject
inject in between the scales
make sure your injecting the 1rst 3rd of the body

i am injecting between the scales. the vet showed me where to stick the needle and everything i just feel as if i am doing it wrong. my biggest fear is sticking the needle in too far. the vet also said pull the needle back a little to see if theres blood, no blood is good, but he failed to explain what if i see blood?! i havnt, but i want to know what if i do?

Also, one other thing, my other snake whom is in the same room as lucy (across from each other), seems to have his belly scales flaking off! just like lucy did before her scales turned a slight discoloration. i have posted a thread on here before asking if it can be transmitted through air, i got one answer which said no... but what the heck!! has anyone else experienced this "flaking" and had it not be scale rot? so far when i flip him upside down you can see some of the clear skin lifted, there is no discoloration, and his tank is just right. (warm side 90, cool side 80, and humidity 50-55%)

:taz:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AWESOM-O 3000

my vet told me the lump is from not sticking it in far enough. BUT it will absorb- itll just take longer. I had to inject my snake with baytrill for 2 weeks lol it was tough ino how you feel.

TIPs:
get 2 people 1 to hold the snake another to inject
inject in between the scales
make sure your injecting the 1rst 3rd of the body

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check out ralph davis's video on injecting the baytril. he gives some great pointers in there. also about the bump he even says that a slight bump may rise even with a perfect injection same goes for my vet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swe3tm0mentz

Also, one other thing, my other snake whom is in the same room as lucy (across from each other), seems to have his belly scales flaking off! just like lucy did before her scales turned a slight discoloration. i have posted a thread on here before asking if it can be transmitted through air, i got one answer which said no... but what the heck!! has anyone else experienced this "flaking" and had it not be scale rot? so far when i flip him upside down you can see some of the clear skin lifted, there is no discoloration, and his tank is just right. (warm side 90, cool side 80, and humidity 50-55%)

:taz:

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DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ELSE COULD BE CAUSING THIS? seriously.

Not only have I had to give my snakes shots b4, but I'm also a nurse. Which I'm not saying that is anything like a vet, but it sure does help. First of all, like the first post said, give the shot in the first 1/3 of the body. Secondly, it sure would help if you had someone to help you hold the snake. Bent needles and multiple puncture wounds are not good. Thirdly, always make sure the bevel of the needle is up during injection. If you see blood when you pull back that means you are in a vein and you just simply pull the needle back out without injecting the medicine and try another spot. Inject the medicine slowly if you can. Not too slow, but don't just push it all in one quick movement. And I'm not sure about all meds for snakes, but I know a lot of them you are not suppose to massage into the skin if it leaves a bubble or welt under the skin. It will self absorb. I sure do hope this helps you and good luck. It gets easier I promise!:gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swe3tm0mentz

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ELSE COULD BE CAUSING THIS? seriously.

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My boy had flaky belly scales for about two weeks before he went into his last shed. The humidity was way low though, what are you measuring it with?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swe3tm0mentz

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ELSE COULD BE CAUSING THIS? seriously.

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Check out a thread I posted - "Funky Thyroid" maybe the pics will compare to your animal

Hi,

You are certain you haven't been applying any oil based substance to him?

That can cause single scales to flake off.

I would keep double checking the surface temps of his enclosure in case it was something like a temp spike that caused your problems. Are they on the same thermostat?

What is the substrate again?


dr del