everybody plz cross your fingers for us. . .

Our little girl J.J. who finished her 3 week course of the antibiotic Fortaz didn't show a great deal of improvement, even though after about a week she seemed to show improvement in behavior but was still making a clicking noise when you listened closely. We went away for a couple of days, husbandry was spot on, Herpstat controlling belly heat at 92 cool side substrate at 81, ambient around 81-84, 54% humidity. We got back today and the RI has become advanced, obvious mucous around the mouth and her left eye was enlarged and filled with a clear fluid (maybe from scraping against things, maybe infection spread). we rushed her to the animal 911 nearby, they have her now. She is under their care while they are administering different AB (a baytril mix?) and nebulizing the medications for faster absorption. We are sooooo worried whether she will make it through this, she was still active and inquisitive during the exam, not lethargic at all, so we are hopeful. When I first brought her into the vet because of very early signs of RI they didn't do a culture and the Ceftazidime was prescribed. I hope no one else has to go through this but if you ever do, insist on the culture to make sure to get the right treatment right out of the gate. It was awful to see her like this and we're sick with worry about how the next day or two goes while waiting for a phone call. We thought she was recovering for the entire last month, her last shot was on July 25th, but she was just on a plateau and it was shocking to see this rapid decline. plz cross your fingers for us. .

Fingers crossed and sending good healing vibes your way. Hope she gets better.

Fingers are crossed. I do hope she pulls through for you. Keep us updated. :please:

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Originally Posted by J-Jabba

Our little girl J.J. who finished her 3 week course of the antibiotic Fortaz didn't show a great deal of improvement, even though after about a week she seemed to show improvement in behavior but was still making a clicking noise when you listened closely. We went away for a couple of days, husbandry was spot on, Herpstat controlling belly heat at 92 cool side substrate at 81, ambient around 81-84, 54% humidity. We got back today and the RI has become advanced, obvious mucous around the mouth and her left eye was enlarged and filled with a clear fluid (maybe from scraping against things, maybe infection spread). we rushed her to the animal 911 nearby, they have her now. She is under their care while they are administering different AB (a baytril mix?) and nebulizing the medications for faster absorption. We are sooooo worried whether she will make it through this, she was still active and inquisitive during the exam, not lethargic at all, so we are hopeful. When I first brought her into the vet because of very early signs of RI they didn't do a culture and the Ceftazidime was prescribed. I hope no one else has to go through this but if you ever do, insist on the culture to make sure to get the right treatment right out of the gate. It was awful to see her like this and we're sick with worry about how the next day or two goes while waiting for a phone call. We thought she was recovering for the entire last month, her last shot was on July 25th, but she was just on a plateau and it was shocking to see this rapid decline. plz cross your fingers for us. .

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Have they cultured her now?

Your snake's eyes drain into their mouth via a lacrimal duct. This can plugged for a variety of reasons - and often during advanced respiratory infections the lacrimal duct becomes infected, swollen and subsequently does not drain.

This leads to an eye that looks like it's bulging out.

It extremely uncomfortable for the animal so let's hope that they vet knows the trick to drain it if that's indeed what it is.

Best of luck. I think it would be a positive thing if someone cultured this infection instead of throwing antibiotics at it.

They are definitely doing all of the tests ( My recently emptied wallet can attest to that) which includes culture, CBC, and x-rays (to check for liver function?) They said that they can administer greater dosages by keeping her there then they would be able to send home and it was the recommended path to leave her there. I am putting my faith in them, I too hope that they know about draining the eye because that was not specifically mentioned to me today, I certainly will ask them ASAP. Thanks to all for the kind wishes, we're going to be a bit out of sorts until we know how she's responding, I'll let y'all know as soon as i find out.

mojos for the snake! (and you as well)

hope everything turns out just right!

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Have they cultured her now?


It extremely uncomfortable for the animal so let's hope that they vet knows the trick to drain it if that's indeed what it is.

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@skiploder, I forgot to ask about the "trick" to draining the lacrimal duct. Is this something that only a vet can do? How would they go about draining this duct?

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Originally Posted by J-Jabba

@skiploder, I forgot to ask about the "trick" to draining the lacrimal duct. Is this something that only a vet can do? How would they go about draining this duct?

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If it's a blocked or swollen duct, you can drain them yourself. You have to make sure that's what it is. Attempting to drain an eye that doesn't need to be drained is not a good thing.

I had a woma python that had genetically narrow ducts. Every six months or so he'd get a blockage. His eye would well up with clear fluid and he'd go nuts rubbing it all over the place, corkscrewing his head into things and refusing to eat. Apparently the pressure is extremely uncomfortable for them. After he was diagnosed, the vet showed me how to drain them.

Shoot me a PM and I'll walk you through it.

Talked to the vet, they said that her eye is looking better this morning, it's definitely an advanced RI but we won't have culture results until mon or tue. We're going to see her now just to have a look at how she's doing but she 's going to stay there until monday at least. They say her prognosis is "guarded" so it's still a wait and see, day by day situation for now. . .