Help With Baytril Shot

Ok so I took my false water cobra to the vet today because of RI symptoms. The vet gave him a shot of baytril, an antibiotic. For us to give him the shot it took the vets free hand, the vet tech, and myself to hold him still. I felt awful because this snake is the most happy go lucky snake i've ever come across:( and the poor guy was like "what the hells going on" and was totally freaking out when we gave him the shot. He's one of the few types of snakes thats never had a real fear of people and im hoping this doesn't change that. The bad part is I have to give him a shot every day for the next nine days on my own. I don't know anyone in the immediate area who's willing to help. Im almost regretting taking him to the vet because his symptoms weren't that bad. He's been sneezing for the last couple weeks so I kicked his temps up. It got better but didn't go away completely so I just didn't want to take the chance. So now im kinda worried about giving him the shots on my own. I dont want him to get hurt in the process while he's trying to get away. Anyone who's had to give these shots please give me some pointers on how to do it on my own. Thanks.

These should help http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nXFNICdDBQ

You'll need to get a clear plastic rigid tube just big enough in diameter for him to slither into and a couple of feet long. Most aquarium shop carry different sizes. Get at least a foot or so of his body in the tube before you inject him. This may well be a 2 person job. Tubing the snake will protect you and make him easier to handle.

Once you have him positioned in the tube then you can inject him. They're smart enough to know what's going on so after the first time it may be a bit of a contest to get him in again. Once he is in the tube you'll either need some help or to grow an extra hand to keep him in and give him the injection.

Have the syringe prepared before you put him in the tube. FWCs are experts and slithering backwards and having no necks they slip out of hands and tubes quickly and easily if you are not paying close attention.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

You'll need to get a clear plastic rigid tube just big enough in diameter for him to slither into and a couple of feet long. Most aquarium shop carry different sizes. Get at least a foot or so of his body in the tube before you inject him. This may well be a 2 person job. Tubing the snake will protect you and make him easier to handle.

Once you have him positioned in the tube then you can inject him. They're smart enough to know what's going on so after the first time it may be a bit of a contest to get him in again. Once he is in the tube you'll either need some help or to grow an extra hand to keep him in and give him the injection.

Have the syringe prepared before you put him in the tube. FWCs are experts and slithering backwards and having no necks they slip out of hands and tubes quickly and easily if you are not paying close attention.

Good luck.

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Thanks for the pointers. I don't know why I didn't think of the tube technique with all the viperkeeper vids I watch on youtube. And your right they are great at slithering backwards. The one im giving shots to can slither backwards in my hands almost as well as foward.

I'm not sure if it'd work with a FWC, but my vet showed me a nice trick for balls. When you grasp them behind the head, you can start to wrap them around the wrist of that hand (some will do it on their own). This'll give you a couple seconds and a good clear shot at the part of the body you need to be injecting into and can be done with one person.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Shadera

I'm not sure if it'd work with a FWC, but my vet showed me a nice trick for balls. When you grasp them behind the head, you can start to wrap them around the wrist of that hand (some will do it on their own). This'll give you a couple seconds and a good clear shot at the part of the body you need to be injecting into and can be done with one person.

Good luck!

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This will not work with FWCs. They have no neck. The head is not set off from the body at all. They can move backward as quickly as forward and there is nothing to hold on to. The harder you squeeze the more they wiggle. Add in the fangs and the possible bite from an irritated snake and this is something I would recommend against.

Great for snakes with necks, just not for these guys.

I gave him his second shot, witch was the first shot i've given him, yesterday. A friend of mine who lives in my apartment complex helped me out. I cleaned my kitchen table with bleach water and rolled out some freezer paper to cover the table top. I had this idea because he isn't able to move very well on paper. He just kinda loses traction. I gently held down right behind his head while my friend held down the last third of hid body. Stuck the syringe into the most fleshy spot around where his shoulder would be if he had one and injected. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. He didn't freak out as bad at home as he did at the vet....so one down and eight to go...I like Ralph Davis's method of giving the shots every other day. But my vet said to do it everyday so thats what im gonna do.

Glad it wen't well! Shots are always a pain in the butt to give :(

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Originally Posted by AkHerps

Glad it wen't well! Shots are always a pain in the butt to give :(

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I know....I freakin hate it... Especially with this snake, because him and I have a very trusting relationship. I just hope giving him all theses shots doesn't change that.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

You'll need to get a clear plastic rigid tube just big enough in diameter for him to slither into and a couple of feet long. Most aquarium shop carry different sizes. Get at least a foot or so of his body in the tube before you inject him. This may well be a 2 person job. Tubing the snake will protect you and make him easier to handle.

Once you have him positioned in the tube then you can inject him. They're smart enough to know what's going on so after the first time it may be a bit of a contest to get him in again. Once he is in the tube you'll either need some help or to grow an extra hand to keep him in and give him the injection.

Have the syringe prepared before you put him in the tube. FWCs are experts and slithering backwards and having no necks they slip out of hands and tubes quickly and easily if you are not paying close attention.

Good luck.

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I gave him his third shot today and it went ok. He was a little more squirmy today. I think he knows im gonna give him a shot every time I go into his cage now. The biggest concern I have is hitting his lung or, heaven forbid, his heart. Im giving the shots in the top third of his body but like I said im super scared that im hitting his lung. Today after his shot he was wheezing real bad for a few seconds right after and I though maybe I hit his lung. He stopped wheezing right away so im hoping it was just because he was excited. Is there a chance that I could be hitting his lung? Im trying to give the shot in the most muscular looking parts of his body and at a pretty sharp angle, but due to his squirming the needle ends up going in kinda deep.....Uhg, I hate having to do this.

Don't jab it straight in, go at a bit of an angle. It's unlikely you'll go past the outer flesh.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Don't jab it straight in, go at a bit of an angle. It's unlikely you'll go past the outer flesh.

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Thank you so much for all your pointers. Im going in at a pretty good angle so I guess he should be ok.

i had to administer baytril via syringe on my baby ball.she showed signs of ri the second day of being home.i immediately took her to the vet.giving her shots made me feel the worst ive ever felt in my entire life.what helped us both get through was me tricking her.i injected her during the day.i pulled out one of her hides and set it on the floor infront of her to entice her to straighten up and between my knees on the floor i pinned her tail down with a warm moist wet sock so it wasnt so abrasive and kinda stretchy so it wasnt vice like.when she straightend i put my four fingers spread out over her back so she wouldnt jerk away after the needle penetrated.it was the worst time in our relationship.dont handle your snake during the treatment unless necessary,and give her some warm baths every other day or so to add to your snakes hydration as the baytril can dehydrate them.your snake will get over this mistrustful time and get back to the relationship you two once had with care and handling after the treatment is over.you can feed your snake again 48hours after the last shot has been givin and yes bumping the temps up a bit will help in the healing.im no specialist but the sock,hand and hide routine worked for us.like you i had no one to help so better learn some jiu jitsu.good luck in these hard times.

As you guys know im treating my falsie for an RI. The vet ordered 10 shots of baytril, once daily for ten days. My question ... Is it going to effect the treatment if I skip a day a couple times as long as I still administer the whole 10 dose treatment over a course of twelve days instead of ten? The reason why I ask is that I missed a dose a few days ago due to not getting done at work until an insanely late hour and not having anyone to help me hold the snake down, and basically the same thing tonight. I saw on Ralph Davis's youtube channel that he gives his baytril treatments every other day for a total of ten doses in twenty days. I know this is not ideal but im hoping as long as I finish off all the antibiotics it will have the same effect.

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Originally Posted by nor_cal1980

As you guys know im treating my falsie for an RI. The vet ordered 10 shots of baytril, once daily for ten days. My question ... Is it going to effect the treatment if I skip a day a couple times as long as I still administer the whole 10 dose treatment over a course of twelve days instead of ten? The reason why I ask is that I missed a dose a few days ago due to not getting done at work until an insanely late hour and not having anyone to help me hold the snake down, and basically the same thing tonight. I saw on Ralph Davis's youtube channel that he gives his baytril treatments every other day for a total of ten doses in twenty days. I know this is not ideal but im hoping as long as I finish off all the antibiotics it will have the same effect.

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Why don't you call the vet and ask him?

Seriously...................

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Why don't you call the vet and ask him?

Seriously...................

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Because every time I call the vet he's busy, and the girl who answers the phone doesn't know anything..... Isn't that part of what this site is for, asking questions and getting help with our reptiles? Seriously........ :)

my vet said dont skip days.you dont want to give the infection a chance to build a tolerance to meds.

I agree I wouldn't skip days. There may be something in rds procedure that you aren't seeing. Like dosage... Solution etc. Is there something with the shot you need help with? Ive given many shots to many snakes. Maybe I can help?

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Originally Posted by nor_cal1980

Because every time I call the vet he's busy, and the girl who answers the phone doesn't know anything..... Isn't that part of what this site is for, asking questions and getting help with our reptiles? Seriously........ :)

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No one here is a vet. You can get a lot of advice here, but I would not go seeking or following advice on dosing or prescribing medicine. If someone came on here and advised that skipping a day was acceptable would you really follow that advice? I sure as hell wouldn't.............

You can't always compare dosing rates between species. Different species metabolize medication at varying rates. Your vet prescribed a specific dose and frequency - I would stick to it unless he advises otherwise.

I find it hard to believe that the vet's office can't take and return a simple message.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

No one here is a vet. You can get a lot of advice here, but I would not go seeking or following advice on dosing or prescribing medicine. If someone came on here and advised that skipping a day was acceptable would you really follow that advice? I sure as hell wouldn't.............

You can't always compare dosing rates between species. Different species metabolize medication at varying rates. Your vet prescribed a specific dose and frequency - I would stick to it unless he advises otherwise.

I find it hard to believe that the vet's office can't take and return a simple message.

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Im just curious if anybody has had a similar experience, thats all...I already know the dosing and frequency and all that. And you can find it hard to believe all you want, its still a fact.

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

I agree I wouldn't skip days. There may be something in rds procedure that you aren't seeing. Like dosage... Solution etc. Is there something with the shot you need help with? Ive given many shots to many snakes. Maybe I can help?

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It's just really hard for me to hold him and give him the shot by myself. My neighbor has been helping me hold him but last night and a few nights ago I didn't get home until really late and my neighbor was sleeping. The one time I did give him a shot by myself I came really close to breaking the needle off inside the snake. So I figure its better to skip a dose rather than risk that. Im still going to finish the 10 dose treatment so im hoping its not a problem. I know with people they say its ok to skip a dose or two as long as you finish the antibiotics.....but then again thats people .....not reptiles

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Originally Posted by nor_cal1980

It's just really hard for me to hold him and give him the shot by myself. My neighbor has been helping me hold him but last night and a few nights ago I didn't get home until really late and my neighbor was sleeping. The one time I did give him a shot by myself I came really close to breaking the needle off inside the snake. So I figure its better to skip a dose rather than risk that. Im still going to finish the 10 dose treatment so im hoping its not a problem. I know with people they say its ok to skip a dose or two as long as you finish the antibiotics.....but then again thats people .....not reptiles

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I think the same rule applies to reptiles - if you skip a dose you could possibly run the dual risk of (1) not completely killing the infection or (2) knocking the infection back, and in the process facilitating it's resistant to Baytril.

The only antibiotic I've ever seen administered every 24 hours is Baytril. I've never had to administer other antibiotics every day - the most frequent dosage I've ever seen prescribed for snakes outside of Baytril is every other day. Ceftazidime, for example is every 72 hours.

do not skip.if you get home late suck it up and administer the shot.did you try my hide,hand and jiu jitsu method? it worked for me and my bp.you are a grown human with intelligence far superior to any of your pets.you should be able to trick and over power your snake(unless its a monster). its alot about precision and quickness while being gentle.some people arent very cooridinated with their hands and i would say practice being quick,precise,and gentle with a used needle on things in your house you could throw away to get used to giving the shot.before i would administer my bp i would do some practice runs with a used needle on one of those nerf balls soft on the inside and some paint on the outside or an orange im going to throw away.tattoo artist practice on fake skin so i think it would benefit you to practice on fake skin.
its your duty as that snakes parent to make sure your there to give it its meds everyday around the same time(i used a vacation week and a couple of option days at work to make sure i gave her her shot around the same time as the vet did)..i have a dog that gets insulin twice a day for diabetes for the rest of his existance.ten days is nothing compared to that.it sucks and it sucks even worse for snakes cause they are more sensitive and way more resistant.
what would be acheived if you skipped a day?nothing.the snake would have the same reaction to the shot the next day as well.hes not going to get used to it and make it easier for you.
as i digress, its your responsibility and that snake depends on you.and you alone.
dont try to push it this way or that way.you know what must be done.:judge:

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Originally Posted by mark and marley

do not skip.if you get home late suck it up and administer the shot.did you try my hide,hand and jiu jitsu method? it worked for me and my bp.you are a grown human with intelligence far superior to any of your pets.you should be able to trick and over power your snake(unless its a monster). its alot about precision and quickness while being gentle.some people arent very cooridinated with their hands and i would say practice being quick,precise,and gentle with a used needle on things in your house you could throw away to get used to giving the shot.before i would administer my bp i would do some practice runs with a used needle on one of those nerf balls soft on the inside and some paint on the outside or an orange im going to throw away.tattoo artist practice on fake skin so i think it would benefit you to practice on fake skin.
its your duty as that snakes parent to make sure your there to give it its meds everyday around the same time(i used a vacation week and a couple of option days at work to make sure i gave her her shot around the same time as the vet did)..i have a dog that gets insulin twice a day for diabetes for the rest of his existance.ten days is nothing compared to that.it sucks and it sucks even worse for snakes cause they are more sensitive and way more resistant.
what would be acheived if you skipped a day?nothing.the snake would have the same reaction to the shot the next day as well.hes not going to get used to it and make it easier for you.
as i digress, its your responsibility and that snake depends on you.and you alone.
dont try to push it this way or that way.you know what must be done.:judge:

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Perhaps taking into consideration the type of snake involved should enter into your well meant but off target advice.

This is NOTHING like your ball python that your jj mojo worked so well upon.

For what he's doing and the size of the snake it is at least a tubing job and even better a 2 man job. Injury of a serious nature could otherwise occur to either the snake or the owner. Responsibility means knowing proper procedure and abiding by it, as well as how to count consecutive days.

thats why i said unless its a monster.i didnt know the size i mustve missed that part.and as you say it is a monster.its well intended and i mean no disrespect.i was giving an example of what worked for me thats all.your right i have no experience with colubrids i just know they are quick. but regardless of the species i stand by not skipping but sheesh thats a hard spot to be put in.jiu jitsuing that snake by yourself with a needle equals damage to possibly both.tubing doesnt trick him.no tricks,no power,just danger.
dang man id find another vet.one that would allow you to come in for him to help you if noone else will.and especially one that could actually call you back.

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Originally Posted by mark and marley

thats why i said unless its a monster.i didnt know the size i mustve missed that part.and as you say it is a monster.its well intended and i mean no disrespect.i was giving an example of what worked for me thats all.your right i have no experience with colubrids i just know they are quick. but regardless of the species i stand by not skipping but sheesh thats a hard spot to be put in.jiu jitsuing that snake by yourself with a needle equals damage to possibly both.tubing doesnt trick him.no tricks,no power,just danger.
dang man id find another vet.one that would allow you to come in for him to help you if noone else will.and especially one that could actually call you back.

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Yes, not only a vet that will return calls, but one that will offer (maybe even for a small fee) to administer the shots every day.

I know of some vets that charge nothing for such a service (and consider it part of the fee for the medicine) and others that charge a little bit.

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Originally Posted by mark and marley

do not skip.if you get home late suck it up and administer the shot.did you try my hide,hand and jiu jitsu method? it worked for me and my bp.you are a grown human with intelligence far superior to any of your pets.you should be able to trick and over power your snake(unless its a monster). its alot about precision and quickness while being gentle.some people arent very cooridinated with their hands and i would say practice being quick,precise,and gentle with a used needle on things in your house you could throw away to get used to giving the shot.before i would administer my bp i would do some practice runs with a used needle on one of those nerf balls soft on the inside and some paint on the outside or an orange im going to throw away.tattoo artist practice on fake skin so i think it would benefit you to practice on fake skin.
its your duty as that snakes parent to make sure your there to give it its meds everyday around the same time(i used a vacation week and a couple of option days at work to make sure i gave her her shot around the same time as the vet did)..i have a dog that gets insulin twice a day for diabetes for the rest of his existance.ten days is nothing compared to that.it sucks and it sucks even worse for snakes cause they are more sensitive and way more resistant.
what would be acheived if you skipped a day?nothing.the snake would have the same reaction to the shot the next day as well.hes not going to get used to it and make it easier for you.
as i digress, its your responsibility and that snake depends on you.and you alone.
dont try to push it this way or that way.you know what must be done.:judge:

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I finally got a hold of the vet and he said it's preferable not to skip a dose but as long as no more than 48 hours passes in between doses it would be fine. I gave the 10 shots in a twelve day period and the snake seems to be doing great.

Just want to give you guys an update on my false water cobra. Its been about a month now since the RI issue and having to administer the antibiotics. After some TLC, rest, and lots of eating he seems to be just as healthy as ever! Im so happy that its over with and that he's ok. I was very worried that I hurt him at some popint administering the shots but all seems to be well. He's eating like a hog and growing like a weed. He's also back to his normal,very active behaivior and no sign of sneezing or wheezing. The only differnce I notice is that he's alot more cage aggresive now. He was always a little cage aggresive, but I think with the combo of the trauma of the shots and also not handling him too much during the last month he's a little wary of me. I've been working with him, and he's getting better and will continue to do so....thank you guys for all the help along the way!!

ive spoken to you in pm but i will say it again.good job you are a good owner and i apologize again if i was abrasive in anyway.

id say pics are necessary:D

ive spoken to you in pm but i will say it again.good job you are a good owner and i apologize again if i was abrasive in anyway.i set my heart on getting a fwc sometime in the near future and i hope i never have to go through what you both did.

id say pics are necessary:D

what the freddy krueger!??! a double post on an edit submit error and third explaining.

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Originally Posted by mark and marley

what the freddy krueger!??! a double post on an edit submit error and third explaining.

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What are you talking about?

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Originally Posted by nor_cal1980

What are you talking about?

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i posted twice when i tried to edit my previous post,my computer spazzed out.

pics:please:

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Originally Posted by mark and marley

i posted twice when i tried to edit my previous post,my computer spazzed out.

pics:please:

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Oh...i see...lol. My camera's not at home right now, but I will get some pics up asap.

datte bayo!:gj: