Why!!!!!!!

Now I was hoping to make my first post something fun and interesting, unfortunately it won’t…… I have been fighting an upper respiratory infection in my 09 female lesser for the better part of about 9 months with out results. After countless trips to the vet and loads of money spent on cultures and meds, I am still at square one. Her most recent treatment has been going on for a month straight, every 72 hours she gets her injection of Fortaz. Only thing is she is still sneezing and wheezing. She is housed in a Vision rack, on paper towels that is powered by a brand new Helix. Temps are checked daily, not to mention I live in AZ so it’s not like it gets cold around these parts. I have had snakes in the past that recovered very well from RI’s, but this is getting ridiculous I am almost at my wits end but far from giving up. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Brian G.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...8/untitled.bmp

I unfortunately don't know enough about RI's to make an accurate comment however it seems like you are doing everying right. Infact the main reason I wanted to comment here was because I felt like saying something about the lesser itself. I have to say that is probably my favourite lesser I have ever seen. I am very picky when it comes to snakes so when please, if at all possible, pull her through! I am totally serious when I say she is the greatest looking lesser in my mind. I wish you the best of luck, she is amazing! ~Caylan.S.~

She is a beaut. I wish you the best of luck and I hope she recovers soon. Seeing as you sound like you know what you are doing I am assuming she is quarantined? Aside that I don't know what else you could do. I have never had to deal with an RI but from what I read it is up to the snake to pull through.
Best of luck and I hope she recovers soon.

Bryan, based on what you've mentioned, I am assuming that you have upped her temps significantly. I've found that upping the temps helps as much as the meds. I live in Florida and it gets hot here too but I still pull anyone with even a hint of an RI out of their regular rack and guarantien them in a tub with their own individual heat that I set a lot higher than usual.

Good luck and let us know what happens. She is just beautiful!

The two RI's I have dealt with have been treated with a combination, or two injection set , one of baytril and one of fortaz, the are two seperate injections every 72 hours and they have worked extremely well, hope this helps:)

One thought (if the vet hasn't already tried this) is to nebulize the antibiotics...ie put her in a chamber and aerosolize the antibiotics so that, when inhaled, they can go directly to the source if the infection.

Unfortunately, I don't have a solution to offer. I just wanted to say that I sincerely hope your lesser makes it. It looks 90% similar to mine with that banded pattern and light creamy colors. They might be related! (I got mine from a Canadian breeder who got it from a breeder in Washington.

Best of luck to you and your lesser and keep your hopes up!

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Originally Posted by Inugohan

I unfortunately don't know enough about RI's to make an accurate comment however it seems like you are doing everying right. Infact the main reason I wanted to comment here was because I felt like saying something about the lesser itself. I have to say that is probably my favourite lesser I have ever seen. I am very picky when it comes to snakes so when please, if at all possible, pull her through! I am totally serious when I say she is the greatest looking lesser in my mind. I wish you the best of luck, she is amazing! ~Caylan.S.~

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Thank you for your kind words she is definitely a keeper, and there is no way I would give up on one of my snakes, she will pull through it's just going to take a little more time and money of course. thanks again!

Brian G.

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Originally Posted by Alice

Bryan, based on what you've mentioned, I am assuming that you have upped her temps significantly. I've found that upping the temps helps as much as the meds. I live in Florida and it gets hot here too but I still pull anyone with even a hint of an RI out of their regular rack and guarantien them in a tub with their own individual heat that I set a lot higher than usual.

Good luck and let us know what happens. She is just beautiful!

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Alice, thanks so much for your input. I have upped her temps but not significantly and she is kept dry as a bone, I will most definitely put your advice in to action. thanks a bunch and ill keep you posted.

Brian G.

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Originally Posted by GoBoilers

One thought (if the vet hasn't already tried this) is to nebulize the antibiotics...ie put her in a chamber and aerosolize the antibiotics so that, when inhaled, they can go directly to the source if the infection.

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Huh, that seems like a really good Idea, have you or any body ever done this before? And no my vet has not mentioned such a treatment yet. I will talk to him next time I get her refill. Thanks again!

Brian G.

when i got the ri on mine, the vet put her on amikacin...and within 2 weeks, it was gone... so i dont know what to say =[ just make sure her temps are in the 85-90 range

Most exotic vets know that baytril can cause necrosis at the injection point and therefore many will not use it. The thing is, baytril will almost always work when all other treatments have been exausted. You need to remember that many of these bacteria can become immuned to the treatment rather quickly.

If your snake is not getting better and cultures still test positive for infection then I would ask the vet to try a baytril treatment. My vet uses a full strength shot for the first injection and then a diluted strength for the remaining injections. If done correctly it should not cause a problem. I would ask the vet about this. It has been so long that by now your snakes immune system may be compromised. If its either watch the snake die or try baytril for a 2 week treatment, I would choose the new treatment.

Keep us updated on how it goes. Very beautiful snake BTW.

i have been fighting an RI since prolly november/december and its finally about gone. amikacin every 72 hours. good luck

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Most exotic vets know that baytril can cause necrosis at the injection point and therefore many will not use it. The thing is, baytril will almost always work when all other treatments have been exausted. You need to remember that many of these bacteria can become immuned to the treatment rather quickly.

If your snake is not getting better and cultures still test positive for infection then I would ask the vet to try a baytril treatment. My vet uses a full strength shot for the first injection and then a diluted strength for the remaining injections. If done correctly it should not cause a problem. I would ask the vet about this. It has been so long that by now your snakes immune system may be compromised. If its either watch the snake die or try baytril for a 2 week treatment, I would choose the new treatment.

Keep us updated on how it goes. Very beautiful snake BTW.

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Yeah, I have used baytril on a boa before and it worked really well. I'll talk to the vet about using baytril on my BP I do remember him being kind of hesitant when it came to baytril and ball pythons. I have also heard of the bacteria building immunities to the fortaz especially with prolonged treatments. Also I figured that there is a possibility that some snakes can be genetically predisposed to immune deficiency due to inter breeding and I hope that is not the cause. She eats like it's going out of style, and is a very attentive snake just trying to shake this RI is becoming quite the chore. Thanks again for all of your input.

Brian G.

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Most exotic vets know that baytril can cause necrosis at the injection point and therefore many will not use it. The thing is, baytril will almost always work when all other treatments have been exausted.

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And if you're concerned about the possibility of necrosis from the injection, Baytril can also be administered orally.

Saw this and I thought of your lesser's condition. The reason might be the water bowl. check it out @ 4:40

YouTube - JKR Pro Tip #2 - Water Bowls