Antibiotic injections

Just as a general husbandry question, is there really no other way to get antibiotics into a snakes system other than through injections? I would obviously do them if I absolutely had to (it comes with the territory of owning animals), but I have a bit of a needle phobia so it would really, really, really suck.

There are, now the question is do you want the treatment to be efficient or not?

Oral antibiotics in snakes are very inefficient and therefore injections are the way to go.

I recently just had a bout with an RI infection in one of my new females. Think about it, your snake is having issues breathing, may no longer be eating, the last thing you want to do is put something down it's throat. I had to use injections to put less stress on my female and it is more effective. She is healthy again, and you wouldn't even know she was ever sick. I do not think you necessarily have too but it is way better for your snake.

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Originally Posted by chosen2030

Just as a general husbandry question, is there really no other way to get antibiotics into a snakes system other than through injections? I would obviously do them if I absolutely had to (it comes with the territory of owning animals), but I have a bit of a needle phobia so it would really, really, really suck.

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You can always fork over the cash and take the snake in to the vet for each injection.

Or if the vet doesn't have a problem with it, work out a less costly deal with one of the techs on or off the clock.
But I stress, run it by the vet first! No reason to put someone's job in jeopardy and ruin your relationship with your vet.

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Originally Posted by Reinz

You can always fork over the cash and take the snake in to the vet for each injection.

Or if the vet doesn't have a problem with it, work out a less costly deal with one of the techs on or off the clock.
But I stress, run it by the vet first! No reason to put someone's job in jeopardy and ruin your relationship with your vet.

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rough idea of what it would cost to have the vet or a vet tech do all of the injections? I know that people that don't have a phobia regarding needles don't understand what the big deal is, but I can only imagine of I'm stressed out that the snake will sense that and it is more likely to result in accidental injury.

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Originally Posted by chosen2030

rough idea of what it would cost to have the vet or a vet tech do all of the injections? I know that people that don't have a phobia regarding needles don't understand what the big deal is, but I can only imagine of I'm stressed out that the snake will sense that and it is more likely to result in accidental injury.

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Hahaha, ah yea, I do have a phobia of needles, and when the vet told me that I would have to do it, my stomach sank. The vet tech showed me how to do it, went home, three days later it was my turn. I was shaking so bad but I did it because it was either that or the death of my snake...

As for cost, depending on where you are. Here it is a $90 visit and you will most likely have to pay the visit cost, and then probably only $10 per shot. I am just guessing, things may be different where you are. You should phone a vet and ask, they will be able to give you all that information right over the phone.

Have you considered having a friend give the injections while you hold the snake. It may be that you can explain how they are to be given, and perhaps still being a part of the process, might alleviate some of your fear as you will be watching/overseeing the injections. I don't have this particular phobia so I don't know what you might be capable of managing. Just offering a possible solution. Best of luck.

My advice would be responsible, and make sure your husbandry is correct... then you won't need to worry about medication.

I know it seems daunting to inject a snake, but honestly you can do it yourself easily if you have someone to hold the animal as still as possible. It will be a very small gauge needle and you will only be injecting a small amount of liquid. Vet techs aren't going to do it any better than you, as they don't frequently see many snakes in a normal clinic. The whole key is to just get it between the scales and under the skin. I have faith.

I have a needle phobia too, mostly because my veins are tiny and they like to roll. When I get blood drawn, it's very rare that someone gets it on the first couple tries. I feel your pain.

My first snake (ball python) had a respiratory infection when I got her. When I took her to the vet, I was told that I needed to give her shots. I was horrified, but I still did it anyways (with the help of my husband). The first shot I gave her took way longer than I would have liked and left me shaking. Wanting her to get better took precedence over my fear of needles. All the shots I gave her after that first one took way less time and didn't make me nearly as nervous. The shots usually happened so fast that she didn't even have time to squirm.

Now I can't imagine trying to give her or any other snake oral antibiotics. I feel like that would be even more stressful for her (and me!) than the shots.