Antibiotics

So yesterday I took my snake to the vet because he was making clicking noises when he breathed from his nose. The vet said he didn't look sick but prescribed me some oral antibiotics just in case to give to him for 21 days. So I did my first dose last night and just an hour ago. Obviously he's not happy about getting the syringe in his mouth and thrashes around as I try to do it. Being an already anxious person, I made sure the syringe was past his glottis. After I was done giving the medicine to him, he seemed to not swallow it completely so it was bubbling a bit around his mouth and I'm concerned that if he's not swallowing it and his mouth is still gooey that some of it did or could get in his glottis. I'm also slightly concerned because when I took the syringe back out there was a tiny bit of blood on it. My vet said that it could just be from gum irritation of the syringe because he does try to thrash around when I have it in there.

What do you all think? I'm just really worried that it could have gotten in his trachea :(

I would find a different vet - antibiotics for snakes are injected not given orally unless they are specifically targeted at an infection in the digestive tract.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I would find a different vet - antibiotics for snakes are injected not given orally unless they are specifically targeted at an infection in the digestive tract.

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There's nothing more to say on this topic.:gj:

Find a new vet

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The vet said he didn't look sick but prescribed me some oral antibiotics just in case to give to him for 21 days.

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You just do not prescribe antibiotics just in case, anti-biotics should only be prescribed if there is a real issue, a disease was diagnoses and a culture was done and the appropriate determine which antibiotic would be appropriate.

Finally oral anti-biotics in snakes are completely useless, when prescribed they should be injectable.

So should I stop giving him the antibiotics? He's still making the puffing/clicking sounds but there's no mucous or open mouth breathing. What would a different vet do?

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Originally Posted by Damariscotta

What would a different vet do?

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Take a swab of your animals mouth and run the culture.

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Originally Posted by Damariscotta

So should I stop giving him the antibiotics? He's still making the puffing/clicking sounds but there's no mucous or open mouth breathing. What would a different vet do?

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Is this a Reptile vet? I'd call and ask to speak directly to that Veterinarian and ask them what their credentials are and why they didnt do a culture. You paid for service so don't be afraid to question them.

The vet said he didn't do a culture because he didn't look sick and was just making the noise. I've got an appt with a different vet tonight. I'm going to demand a culture and injectable medication if he's really sick.

Hopefully the other vet you go to knows more about reptiles, the first one doesn't seem to have much experience with treating them.

How should I go into this new appt? Should I straight up request a culture get done when I walk in? Do all vets have the equipment to take and test a culture?

Im usually the one that brings bad news.......

The vet that said your snake didnt look sick???
Mosts of the time reptiles dont show and signs till they are on the downhill slide.

Well he's not bubbling or open mouth breathing so I'm assuming the RI can't be too severe yet. He's pretty active and seems normal all except the weird breathing. Do you think it's too late :(

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Originally Posted by Damariscotta

Well he's not bubbling or open mouth breathing so I'm assuming the RI can't be too severe yet. He's pretty active and seems normal all except the weird breathing. Do you think it's too late :(

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Better late than never. You deserve credit for having the "wherewithall" to at least take the animal to the vet so kudos for that. But yeah, these animals don't show signs of illness until the illness has progressed consequently they won't get better right away either. You do need to get a smear and culture of the offending bacteria, virus and or fungus that may be causing the symptoms in the animal. Some exotic vets will and do treat with broad spectrum antibiotics initially but the more direct treatment is getting the right antibiotic from the outset. ;)

Thank you :) Ya I am willing to spend as much money as it takes. There's no price on his health. I love him very much.

So I just got back from the vet. The vet said he probably has a mild RI. She agreed that the oral antibiotics were useless and in fact were making his throat inflamed from all the struggling it was taking to get it in his throat. So she gave him an anti-inflammatory. She couldn't do the mouth swab because the oral antibiotics I gave him last night would interfere with the results she would get so she gave me some baytril injections to do everyday for seven days. If he doesn't get better after the seven days bring him back for a swab. I feel a whole lot better about it. And although I don't like needles they look much easier to do on him than jamming the tube down his throat every night.

I'm so glad you got some good vet care. I feel relieved by this update, I can only imagine how you feel.

Ya I've barely slept or ate because I've been so worried about him. I can finally relax about it for the most part. the only other thing I'm wondering is I do have another snake and I hear RI's can be infectious. Should I keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't get it as well