Giving nostril drops?

I noticed today that my normal ball (I've had her for two years) was wheezing when she breathes... No breathing through the mouth or anything, just wheezing through her nostrils. So I took her in to the vet... Vet says its an upper respiratory infection. No biggie, she says, I just need to give the snake NOSTRIL DROPS. 2 drops in each nostril, for two weeks. OH BOY. Anybody have any advice for administering nostril drops to a bp who'd rather do anything but hold still to have liquid placed in its nose? Anybody had to do this before?
Also, what can I do to prevent this from happening again? Her substrate is plain paper towels. Humidity varies between 65-70%, usually closer to 65 (I live in south Louisiana).

Thanks!

Your doctor OBVIOUSLY has no experience in herps.

DO NOT administer any drops into the nostrils. This can DROWN your animal in fluids.

Get that animal to a qualified vet ASAP. You need a C/S test from a swab of the animals trachea, and put on INJECTABLE antibiotics.

Up her temps to 85 on the cool side, and 95 on the hot side. Keep the humidity about where you have it.

Oh no! Thank you for your prompt reply!
This was the vet recommended to me specifically for specializing in exotics. Wow, this could have been terrible. Thank you thank you thank you. I will get her to another vet tomorrow.

Lesson learned by me: Just because vet said so, doesn't necessarily make it correct

Where did you get the recommendation?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnakeCharmed

Oh no! Thank you for your prompt reply!
This was the vet recommended to me specifically for specializing in exotics. Wow, this could have been terrible. Thank you thank you thank you. I will get her to another vet tomorrow.

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Check into these if you haven't already. Was the vet that gave you the drops one of these?

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/louis.shtml

Another good list...

http://www.arav.org/ECOMARAV/TIMSSNE..._MDResults.cfm

The vet (Toby Wexler) was recommended to me by Banfield pet hospital, and is widely regarded as the best vet in my area. Wow, do I feel had. And stupid. I couldn't imagine harming my snake. Even unintentionally.
Unfortunately, there isn't a vet in my area on the page you referenced. The nearest one from that site is 2+ hour drive.
I am starting my quest for a more experienced vet in my area right now. Hopefully, I can get her in to see a qualified vet tomorrow morning.

If the vet you use sees reptiles, they MUST have a basic understanding of them.

You should ask them to take a Culture and Sensitivity test via a swab of the animals trachea. This involves opening the mouth of the animal, and waiting for it to breathe. You then insert the swab into its windpipe and collect the sample from there.

This gets sent off to a lab, and then they tell you what INJECTABLE medication your animal needs.

That may be a possibility for you.

Thank you very much for your advice. I thought I was doing the best thing for her by taking her immediately to the recommended exotics vet. Now I feel terrible.
I had a feeling nostril drops sounded funny, but hey, I don't have a degree from vet school, what do I know? I trust that when I take my animals to a vet, that they will receive the best care possible. I'll have to be more skeptical from now on.
If I can't find a better vet, I'll bring her back to the same vet tomorrow and specifically request the culture and sensitivity test, along with injectable medication when the results come back.
Thanks again for helping me avoid a total disaster :gj:

I would look for a herp specialist. Not just exotics, but someone specializing in herps specifically. Hope she's ok :) Keep us updated.

I know driving 2+ hrs, is alot, just call this vet back and explain to her that:

1. The nostril drop treatment is not a recommended course of therapy that you are comfortable with.

2. You want a C&S of the mucous, along with the appropriate injectable antibiotics.

The vet really should not have a problem with your requests.