Pseudomonas Infection

Hi Group -

Just an update on my sick/non-eating BP hatchling.

The vet called today with the results of the sensitivity study they did on my snake's infection. It's Pseudomonas. They've switched her to Amikacin as the antibiotic and I'm also injecting fluids (lactated ringers).

She's been hand-fed formula twice now, we're going to try feeding live every night until we've gone through all 4 remaining injections and if she's not eaten the vet says "We'll need to make a decision" - which doesn't sound like much fun.

Should I be really really REALLY mad at the breeder yet?

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Originally Posted by mikerccie

Should I be really really REALLY mad at the breeder yet?

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Well, I think acting as a reference is probably out of the question?

Good luck, nursing sick animals back to health always weighs heavy on the heart ... I've had to severly cut back the number of ball python rescues that I do each year for just that reason.

With Amikacin ... hydrate, hydrate, hydrate .... even with the ringers, soaking every couple of days won't hurt .... you've got to keep those kidneys flush.

-adam

Okay just because I'm the curious sort I googled "pseudomonas infection ball python", quite a bit of info out there. The one article did mention the possibility this is can be an airborne infection so I'm wondering if your vet has cautioned you about any possibility of this as I think I remember seeing earlier posts that you have another young snake in the house.

Best of luck and prayers that your female will recover soon.


~~Joanna~~

Yes, the Vet mentioned keeping our new BP away from the other four (yes, 4) snakes in the house. And to be super strict on hygine.

We've always done 20-second-hot-water-anti-bacterial-soap between snakes, and now we've added hand santizer, and we always handle the sick little girl LAST.

She's housed in a separate room, we keep her hides/bowles/etc away from everything, including the cats.

Adam, we're pushing relatively huge amounts of the LRS in her, and I'll give her a soak tonight. She's been hanging out in her humid hide quite a bit too over the last 3 days.

I'm still hopefull she'll recover and grow to be a monster, but I *guess* I'm glad that if she *had* to be sick that she's with me, with 2 herp vets within 10 miles of home, and a willingness to spend $300 in vet bills for a $40 snake.

I'll keep everyone posted (including the breeder)...

Well - back to OCD-level handwashing...

Im hope she feels beter and best wishes for her send me a mail or some thing, I have a real soft spot for sick amials.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can Mike and have the resources close by as far as vets go. Hopefully she's strong enough to get through this with the meds and the supportive care you are giving her.

Just wanted to say I think you're great to spend the time and money on this lil snake. It's heartwarming to see someone that makes a decision based on something besides cash, though I'm very aware that the "balance sheet" does have to come into play.

The very best of luck with her, please keep us updated.

~~Joanna~~

I am sorry to hear about the infection. I give you a huge amount of credit for taking your snake to the vet; some heartless people would say "it's just a snake" and be done with it.
I would notify the breeder if you can, and see what comes of that.

She Ate - Adam is a genius!!!

Per Adam's instructions I picked up a hopper mouse, and dropped it in at "dusk" - the room is 100% artifical light, so I can make dusk most anytime of day. I dropped the obnoxious little hopper in there and he proceded to run around like crazy, making several trips OVER the snake's head.

I was about 2 minutes away from taking the mouse out (too soon anyway) and the mouse decided to have a nice drink of water from the snake's bowl.

The snake decided that was a good moment to strike, constrict, drown and eat the hopper.

I called my herp vet almost in tears!

Here's a link to a fuzzy photo of my little girl with her first mouse-lump

http://www.payneland.com/pictures/maya/maya-lump.jpg

Adam - email me an address and your favorite 2 brands please...

Happy to hear that you snake is better!!

Congrats!!! .... I knew she would come around for you! It just takes a little patience and caring and you can get there!

That's a good sized lump in her ... make sure you stay "hands off" for a couple of days and that her temps are 100% dialed in. Even if you have to give meds in the next 24 hours, you might want to talk to your vet about delaying so that she does not regurg from the stress of being handled and injected.

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Originally Posted by mikerccie

She Ate - Adam is a genius!!!

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Well, maybe in my own mind :P, but in reality I'm just a hobbyist like everyone else here and have seen a thing or two when it comes to ball pythons. I'm glad it worked for you!

-adam

That is wonderful Mike! She's gotta be feeling a bit better if she's eating! Adam you are a genius LOL, heck around our house when anything comes up about Baby, my husband always says "well what did Adam say about it?"

You must be so relieved Mike to get this feeding into her. Here's hoping that it's all easier sailing from here on.


~~Joanna~~

Sorry to 'bump' my own thread with a quick update.

The new hatchling ate like a rock-star again tonight. Same routine as last time, except it took her WAY under 1 minute to find the invading fur-bag-hopper and strike.

The herp vet has me feeding her a hopper every 4 to 5 days depending on where we are with injections (so that I don't have to molest her right after feeding). We still have 2 more amikacin and lactated ringers injections to go.

I'm also giving her a short soak to keep her hydrated when it fits into her schedule. She seems to be spending about 1/2 of her time in her humid hide, so I'm guessing she's staying pretty well hydrated.

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

Hey Adam - Did you email me the address to ship the Vodka to yet?

Oh that's excellent to read Mike! Must be fun trying to schedule feedings and hands off to allow her to digest, around injections and hydrations. Good for you to keep on keepin on with her.

By the way, sick or not...she's one pretty lil girl.


~~Joanna~~

Quick thought re dehyrdation....would a gentle pinch to check for skin "tenting" work as well with snakes as it does with other creatures (including humans)?