Respites Infection. WE NEED HELP

Alright, so I found out about 2 weeks ago my snake had a respitory infection. He was making the popping, congested noises day and night. So I took him to the vet to have it checked and get him on some antibiotics. I found out my whole tank and system was flawed. I've had the snake for 12 years and I always used a heating lamp and a rock to maintain heat in his cage. But the vet told me To switch to a ceramic lamp and a UTH. So I did just that. His tank maintains a heat around 80-90 degrees all day. The humidity levels are right for a ball python, normally around 50-60. I just decided to take the antibiotics they offered. It's ceftazidime. I give him 200mg every 72 hours. After the first 3 he was doing wonderfully. But after the last two....he started the open mouthed breathing again. And it's come back with a vengeance. And during this time I've fed him 4 times because the vet said he was under weight and he's in the process of shedding. He's been having a hard time with it so I've been trying to help while he soaks. I've also been soaking him twice a day. I'm just at a loss because I've done everything by the book since his visit and am not sure why the progress was lost. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow to get a culture done and see if it's the antibiotics....is there any advice?

I'm a novice, so pleast take this with a grain of salt... Just from my readings, it sounds like the snake was starting to get better... but then with the extra feedings and soaks, maybe it's possible that extra stress on the snake has actually weakened it enough that it can't fight off the infection. It sounds like you've fed him 4 times in less than two weeks, is that correct? I think once every 5 days should be good, maybe with something larger than what he was getting before... but that just depends on the size of your snake, which I don't know. I'd say just keep the humidity up in the tank, no soaks, regular feeding schedule, keep up with the antibiotics.

Make sure you explain all of this to the vet and get their recommendations for feeding/soaks/temperature/humidity during his recovery. I'm sure if they're a reptile vet, they can recommend the ideal environment. Best of luck.

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Originally Posted by LittleTreeGuy

I'm a novice, so pleast take this with a grain of salt... Just from my readings, it sounds like the snake was starting to get better... but then with the extra feedings and soaks, maybe it's possible that extra stress on the snake has actually weakened it enough that it can't fight off the infection. It sounds like you've fed him 4 times in less than two weeks, is that correct? I think once every 5 days should be good, maybe with something larger than what he was getting before... but that just depends on the size of your snake, which I don't know. I'd say just keep the humidity up in the tank, no soaks, regular feeding schedule, keep up with the antibiotics.

Make sure you explain all of this to the vet and get their recommendations for feeding/soaks/temperature/humidity during his recovery. I'm sure if they're a reptile vet, they can recommend the ideal environment. Best of luck.

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The stress thing could be the case....I didn't think of it that way. As for the soaking I know my vet was very very very! Adamant about that. But the stress factor is good advice. So maybe I shouldn't handle him as much? I will definitely consider that in my visit tomorrow. Thank you very much!

Often times the general antibiotics aren't enough to kick the respiratory infection. Take the snake back to the vet, request a culture to target the specific bacterium causing the infection.

The soaking is BS unless your snake is dehydrated and your just trying to get it to drink, although it can be a way to help remove some of the retained shed. If you have the proper conditions in the cage it isn't necessary. The rest of the setup sounds OK, but if you can put up some photos of the whole enclosure and tell us what your using to measure temps and humidity, we can see if anything needs tweaked. Your vet was right about getting rid of the hot rock at least, and the CHE will save you money on bulb replacements in the long run. Also, with it fighting the RI, I wouldn't recommend trying to pump food. Save that for when it's feeling better. What is the snakes weight, and what and how often were you feeding it before? And are you sure it's a male? Can't really make a suggestion on feeding until I know these things.

Is this a generalized vet? I would consider looking for a vet with a practice more specific to herps.
Really think a culture should have been taken first thing.

I would recommend getting a culture done if the infection came back. The stress could be a factor, I never handled my girl or fed her until she was feeling better when she had her infection, but I had to give her needles for her meds after the vet visit so handling was limited for only that (needles was stressful for both of us, haha). I was told a culture should have been taken first thing as well, the vet just gave me Baytril and needles and the dosage I was to inject her with and showed how to do it. It took about 3 weeks before her nose started clearing up and now she's perfect again.

I never tried this, but apparently this home treatment method has worked really well for some! http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-from-Home-DIY
But I think this is for when you just start to notice the infection coming on, it sounds like your guy has had it for a while and will need the antibiotics.

It looks like you're on the right path now going back to get the culture and antibiotics re-evaluated! :)


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Originally Posted by Smichaeleen

I just decided to take the antibiotics they offered. It's ceftazidime. I give him 200mg every 72 hours. After the first 3 he was doing wonderfully. But after the last two....he started the open mouthed breathing again. And it's come back with a vengeance. And during this time I've fed him 4 times because the vet said he was under weight and he's in the process of shedding. He's been having a hard time with it so I've been trying to help while he soaks. I've also been soaking him twice a day. I'm just at a loss because I've done everything by the book since his visit and am not sure why the progress was lost. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow to get a culture done and see if it's the antibiotics....is there any advice?

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Ceftazidime (Fortaz) is one of the bigger guns for abx. Most vets push Baytril because it's been around the longest so it's all they know - but, because it's been around so long, a lot of bacteria are resistant to it. I'm actually surprised your vet pushed Fortaz first, as it has a fairly short shelf life and is pricey compared to other meds. Plus, once reconstituted it has to be kept frozen until just before use. A lot of vets don't stock it, they keep Baytril and Naxcel on hand instead.

Fortaz is great but it doesn't get everything. Also, no antibiotic will touch a viral infection.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Also, no antibiotic will touch a viral infection.

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Really? I didn't know this, what happens if it's a viral infection? Treatment?


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Originally Posted by ratchet

Really? I didn't know this, what happens if it's a viral infection? Treatment?


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I know I shoudln't assume... but I'd assume it's the same as with humans... antibiotics don't work against a virus. Over the counter stuff works (in humans) but it pretty much has to run it's course.