Suspected RI

Here I am with yet another controversial thread:) So I just got a snake with a suspected RI (by the way, I have never had a snake with an RI, all I have to go on is the fact that she was weezing while holding her at home).

Do I?
1. Raise the temps beacause an RI goes away with higher temps?
2. Take the snake to the vet?
3. Do nothing just see if it gets worse?

The reason I am asking this is because somebody told me a remedy and it sounded wierd. There is a poll, so please vote. Thanks:gj:

for sure...if you suspect it...take it to the vet.

Better safe then sorry. If it turns out to be an RI, they'll probably tell you to raise temps anyways and might give some meds.

Nothing has saved more human lives than penicillin and washing hands.

This is because infections, though often easily fixed with modern medicine, can be REALLY bad if left alone.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

Nothing has saved more human lives than penicillin and washing hands.

This is because infections, though often easily fixed with modern medicine, can be REALLY bad if left alone.

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Hell yeah! Thats why I eat the bread even if it's moldy. Free meds holler.

If you're pretty sure it's an RI, a vet appointment for sure. If you just heard a little wheeze, it could have been a sneeze, (lol that rhymed!) and you should keep an eye on the snake and raise the temps a tad, unless you notice further symptoms.

Most RIs will clear up fine with a course of Baytril. Don't delay, that only makes it riskier for the snake.

I have lost one to a RI (worse day of this year) and she went to the vet many times, do to the vet asap and get it on meds. I don't wait, as soon as I think it has a RI we are at the vet getting the meds. I have a rack with belly heat which helps a lot.

Take it to a "QUALIFIED" vet asap. Not just any vet will do. An un "qualified" vet can make thing much worse.

Raising temps can sometimes work with Balls, but you can also cook it if you go too high. Baytril usual works fine with Balls.

Defenetly go to the vet if you think it is RI. I have lost 2 snakes to RI. Baytril never helped either of them to be honest. But apparently it works for some people. Of course it was both my male and female het albinos, they had gotten it becuase my power went out for a week. but yeh i took them both to the vet several times and spent well over $400 on both of them, and all the vet did was give me baytril. But NEVER ever let it get worse. TRUST me, that is the worst thing you could do because by then it will be too late.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonGirl

Defenetly go to the vet if you think it is RI. I have lost 2 snakes to RI. Baytril never helped either of them to be honest. But apparently it works for some people. Of course it was both my male and female het albinos, they had gotten it becuase my power went out for a week. but yeh i took them both to the vet several times and spent well over $400 on both of them, and all the vet did was give me baytril. But NEVER ever let it get worse. TRUST me, that is the worst thing you could do because by then it will be too late.

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Baytril and Fortaz together is the best, but most Vets don't have Fortaz. If they do, you know you're at a good reptile Vet. Baytril alone will usually work for a mild RI, but if you want to make 99% sure you'll knock it out....get Fortaz also.

A thorough Vet may want to do a culture....which is honestly best....but it's a leeetle costly.

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Originally Posted by Dixie Serpent Den

I have lost one to a RI (worse day of this year) and she went to the vet many times, do to the vet asap and get it on meds. I don't wait, as soon as I think it has a RI we are at the vet getting the meds. I have a rack with belly heat which helps a lot.

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How long did it have a RI? how did you treat it? How did it act before it died?

Vet is the way to go, having learned from experience, the longer you weight the potentially worse it will get. My vet started with Fortaz + Amikacin, which had worked in the past, but that didn't make dent so he switched to Baytril, that took care of it.

i was given baytril syrup, kinda like cough medicine, to give every 12 hrs. anybody else use it b4? she got one shot and now the syrup. i would prefer shots but the vet said it wasnt necessary

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Originally Posted by mpkeelee

i was given baytril syrup, kinda like cough medicine, to give every 12 hrs. anybody else use it b4? she got one shot and now the syrup. i would prefer shots but the vet said it wasnt necessary

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That would be new to me.