Persistant RI, is this normal?

Hi Guys,

My Ball "Kito" was recently showing sins of an RI. After a visit to the vets, they gave me three lots of medicine to give him once a day, Baytril, Matacam, and bisolven. The saliva secretion seems to have slowed a little but his breathing is getting progressivly more audible from the occasional click to now a whistling sound on every breath. He has been on his medication for 7 days now so were half way through.

He hasn't eaten for about 6 weeks but this is undoubtable with him feelin unwell and the unpleasent administration of the meds everyday.

I'm just wondering if this is normal recovery signs or is he getting worse?
Any ideas or advice would be greatfully recieved,

Cheers, Jake:mad:

RIs dont go away unless treated the right way. The vet shouldnt of given you 3 shots of 3 different meds to give all in 3 days. Most meds are given once every 3 days for 2 weeks. If that dont work you wait aother 2-3 weeks before starting a new series of shots.

The meds are given oraly mate, not injections

well the vet should know that oral meds for ball pythons is a 50/50 chance of working or only covering the problem to only letting it come back.

Next visit get a series of baytril or fortaz injections

Seriously? :mad:

So the chances are he is getting worse then. Jesus christ, i traveled right across Scotland to make sure he was seen by a proper Herp vet. Unbelieveable, well thanks for your help Flame.

NO dont mean hes getting worse. Just means the meds are keeping it to a low level but not clearing it up 100%.

Its the same as when you have strep throat and take cough drops to help mask the pain. Compared to taking antibiotics.

THe oral meds is like a cough drop it sometimes works great or only somewhat helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

The vet shouldnt of given you 3 shots of 3 different meds to give all in 3 days. Most meds are given once every 3 days for 2 weeks. If that dont work you wait aother 2-3 weeks before starting a new series of shots.

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When my Burm had an RI he got a shot of Fortaz every other day for 24 days.

To my understanding it takes a lot longer for oral medication to take effect because of their slow digestive system, therefor injections make for a speedier recovery.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

RIs dont go away unless treated the right way. The vet shouldnt of given you 3 shots of 3 different meds to give all in 3 days. Most meds are given once every 3 days for 2 weeks. If that dont work you wait aother 2-3 weeks before starting a new series of shots.

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I agree.. My exotics vet saved one of my snakes life as a baby but she had to go back multiple times within a weeks time for multiple injections. It worked and she's never been sick since.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to speak with the vet this afternoon and demand she gives me some shots for him. Think i may find another vet in England next time lol

Good luck.

This is a 2 hour episode of Reptile Radio that has Dr. Scott Stahl, DVM on as the guest. He is unquestionably the leading herp vet in the US and arguably in the world.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptile...ile-Veterinary

He specificially addresses RI's in snakes and treatments. Even for a 2 hour show - it's incredibly informative, and I do believe he is available for consults with other veterinarians, if you'd like to have your vet get in touch with him.

His clinic's website is http://www.seavs.com

I've listened to this 2 hour show at least 4 times so far, and in my opinion, is probably the best RR episode, just for the information that's shared. I've even shared this episode with my own vet (I've not had any RI's - knock wood), but he appreciates being able to learn about advances in herp medicine, and felt this was a valuable resource.

Oral medication is not as effective as sub-q injections, based on reptiles' slower metabolism.

Brilliant Rabernet, great help. i will be quoting some of his advice upon my discussion with the vet. Fingers crossed!