Help, something is terribly wrong here!

Most likely he prescribed metronidazole (Flagyl).

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Originally Posted by CritterVet

Most likely he prescribed metronidazole (Flagyl).

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Is there an antibiotic of choice for gastric infections, or is the flagyl used because it may have some appetite stimulating properties?

Really sorry to hear that diagnosis. I was hoping that wouldn't have been the problem. :( I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her to respond well to the treatment and pull through for you.

Hey coils....it's Thanksgiving and I was thinking about you and your snake. How is she doing today?

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Originally Posted by greghall

too cold 92 to 93 on the hot side for a big meal they need to be warm to digest their meal.

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are you so sure about that?
id like to see actual proof?

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Originally Posted by greghall

too cold 92 to 93 on the hot side for a big meal they need to be warm to digest their meal.

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Anything over 95 is too warm.. so 92-93 is fine even with a large meal..

Over-heating can cause just as many problems as under-heating..

I just wanted to send you and your little one good thoughts today. I know loosing a baby sucks big time. Hopefully you will get a Thanksgiving miracle today. Here is sending positive healing thoughts your way!

Any updates?

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Is there an antibiotic of choice for gastric infections, or is the flagyl used because it may have some appetite stimulating properties?

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Metronidazole/ Flagyl is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that targets anaerobic bacteria. Clostridium are a genus of anaerobic bacteria that colonize GI tracts and don't cause problems when everything is going well. However, these bacteria produce many deadly toxins and have the potential to quickly kill an animal if they overgrow or get out of the GI tract and into the blood. They also produce gas as bi-product of their metabolism, and as we all know excessive gas in the GI tract is painful. Have you ever seen a dead animal that's been on the side of a road for a couple days and is all bloated? That's the work of the Clostridium in the GI tract producing gas. So metronidazole is a good antibiotic for GI tract infections that are suspected to be caused by Clostridium, and is also good to use when there is compromise of the mucosal barrier of the GI tract, evidenced by blood in the feces.

Metronidazole is also used to treat giardia in dogs, cats, and people and, because it has GI anti-inflammatory properties, also has a role in the treatment of acute diarrhea.

I'm not necessarily questioning the vet's diagnosis, but the vet's explanation as to WHY the infection set in is preposterous under the circumstances. A hopper mouse is the right size for a baby ball python--we all know they can actually eat items 1 1/2 times their width without harm. The snake hadn't even been eating items of a typical size, let alone something too large.

I don't think it's inappropriate to question a vet's knowledge at all--not when so many vets out there have incorrect or sketchy information on herp physiology and care. We can only hope that the vet association adopts a true herp specialization category, as there isn't one at present. (No vet can call themselves a herp specialist).

So, the diagnosis may be right, particularly if the vet actually did some bloodwork, etc--but the claimed cause of the problem, very unlikely to be right.