what is this?

i'm currently seeing a vet and treating my bp with baytril orally on a daily basis.my vet first thought he'd got mites,then he thought a RI.now he says it's Septicemia.could someone look at these pics of him for me and tell me,if possible,what's wrong with him.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...nty2_thumb.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...nty1_thumb.jpg

Hi,

Here are the larger versions of his pictures.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...5/0/monty2.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...5/0/monty1.jpg

As to trying to second guess a vet based solely on a picture viewed over the internet I wouldn't even dream of it I'm afraid. :oops:

If you are concerned he is not giving the proper care I would think it would be ok to try and find another reptile vet in your area - but to be fair I would inform both about the process while doing so.


dr del

It looks almost as though it could be an allergic reaction to something. If he did indeed have mites, he may be reacting to the bites and hence the red swelling underneath the scales. It's really hard to tell from just a photo, but I'd seen a few similar cases that turned out to be an allergic reation to bug bites and/or medication while working at the vets. The only other thoughts I would have would be if it were at all possible that those scales had been damaged enough that they'd actually been pulled up a bit.

I would get a second opinion though if you're not confident in your current vet's diagnosis. Especially if it is a reaction to medication... Do you know when the marks first appeared?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GirDance

It looks almost as though it could be an allergic reaction to something. If he did indeed have mites, he may be reacting to the bites and hence the red swelling underneath the scales. It's really hard to tell from just a photo, but I'd seen a few similar cases that turned out to be an allergic reation to bug bites and/or medication while working at the vets. The only other thoughts I would have would be if it were at all possible that those scales had been damaged enough that they'd actually been pulled up a bit.

I would get a second opinion though if you're not confident in your current vet's diagnosis. Especially if it is a reaction to medication... Do you know when the marks first appeared?

---

well firstly i noticed monty sneezing/weezing.i also heard a loud popping noise which scared the life out of me to be honest.then the red blotches appeared on his neck area,i went to the vet and he said it could be internal mites or a RI.he gave it an injection which he said would help against both these problems.he also gave him some stuff for worms.now i've been giving monty baytril orally daily since 9th feb.i also soak him in warm water for 20 mins daily.i'm back at vets on thursday in which the vet is gunna force-feed him if things are no better.any advice? anything i'm doing wrong?

Most reptile vets reccommend injections over oral. I am by no means a vet and but I have been to vets that are not familiar with snakes and vets that are. A second opinion could'nt hurt if you are not happy/staisfied with the first.

Force feeding already seems to me to be jumping the gun. When was his last feeding? If he's suggesting force feeding and there hasnt been much weight loss, I'd get a second opinion.

I don't have a clue what's going on but I do wish you the best of luck with it. Please let us know what the outcome is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GirDance

Force feeding already seems to me to be jumping the gun. When was his last feeding? If he's suggesting force feeding and there hasnt been much weight loss, I'd get a second opinion.

---

his last feeding was 2 months ago.certainly hasn't lost any weight tho.guess i'll have to trust my vet's opinion.i'll keep everyone posted

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ianpudlich

his last feeding was 2 months ago.certainly hasn't lost any weight tho.guess i'll have to trust my vet's opinion.i'll keep everyone posted

---

If he hasn't eaten in two months and hasn't lost any weight but yet the vet still wants to force feed...do you really want to trust the vet? I could be wrong but it's my understanding that force feeding is very stressful and should only be done as a last resort. There isn't any weight loss and there have been others who have gone a lot longer without eating so 2 months doesn't sound all that bad. I think I would seek a 2nd opinion

what substrate are you using currently?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jeffjr464

what substrate are you using currently?

---

i was using aspen wood shavings,but i've switched to repti-bark now.i have wondered if it was a allergy to the substrate.i've had another look at him today and there is little cracks on his scales as well as the red blotches.i actually think more of these red blotches seem to be appearing.his wheezing/breathing seems to be a lot better tho.i just wish i knew what these red blotches are

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TanyaL

If he hasn't eaten in two months and hasn't lost any weight but yet the vet still wants to force feed...do you really want to trust the vet? I could be wrong but it's my understanding that force feeding is very stressful and should only be done as a last resort. There isn't any weight loss and there have been others who have gone a lot longer without eating so 2 months doesn't sound all that bad. I think I would seek a 2nd opinion

---

Yes, as Tanya said, I'd be going for a second opinion in this case. If there is no weight loss happening and he is properly hydrated at least then I would not be allowing the vet to force feed.

Has he shed recently? Snakes can bruise/scratch real easy right after a shed. I would not force feed. Snakes usually won't eat when they have an RI or are on anitibiotics, when he feels better he will eat.

I would suggest giving him a warm bath after you give him his meds too.

My bp had RI back in Dec., I gave him shots, & was told to give him a warm bath, it will help with the antibiotics. I also didn't feed my bp while on the meds.

I too would get a SECOND opinion... Good Luck, & let us know how it goes.

my bp finally ate a small mouse tonight after going without anything for 2 month.he also shed his skin last week.thing is he's been on baytril for about 3 week now.i'm due back at vets this thursday.just wondering do i need to keep monty on the baytril or not?

Hi,

It is recomended to finish the course as, if you do not, the symptoms may have abated while the cause lingers so it "suddenly" gets sick again later.

And congrats on the feeding. :)


del

Use it until the Vet tells you not to...

Did the red belly scales shed away or not?

i wouldn't say they came off with the shed.they just seem to faded slowly.i guess baytril must be a really good antibiotic.i'll keep on baytril and see what the vet says thursday.thanks to everyone for there advice and concern.what a cracking site this is.now i know where to come if any of my snakes gets ill again