Need advice for sick snake

[David Sisko]

Anyone ever dealt with staph infections in snakes? I have been to two vets. The first was completely useless and the second was a little better but the treatment they gave me still didn’t help. They took a culture that identified it as staphylococcus aureus. After identifying this they offered me fenbendazole which I declined because I don’t see how that would help. I’ve looked for online resources on staph infections in snakes and found absolutely nothing, so I’ve came here in hopes that someone is able to give me the right advice.

[Bogertophis]

No, I've not dealt with this, but you definitely need to make sure you're dealing with a vet that's experienced with snakes, & to that end, this site can help, assuming you're in the U.S.?

https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

[Bogertophis]

BTW, welcome...& what sort of infection is this? I'm assuming an RI (respiratory infection), not a physical injury or abscess? Either way, you were smart to decline fenbendazole for a staph infection. Good grief!

[David Sisko]

He has red blisters that run halfway up his belly. No signs of respiratory issues or him being unhealthy otherwise. He is very active at night, was still eating like a champ up until a couple months ago(probably regular fasting).

[Bogertophis]

Any chance this was a "burn"- over-exposure to heat source (typically happens over 90* from un-regulated heat sources)?

BPs seem prone to not recognizing when they're too hot, & don't move away until injured- thus it's essential to use thermostats to control all heating devices. IF it's a burn, it's painful, very slow to heal, & can get infected (like yours obviously is) requiring antibiotics from a qualified vet & continuing health care, including topical wound care (Silvadene cream).

Even if it's not a burn, it's potentially serious & even life-threatening- I'm also thinking 'septicemia', so you need a good vet & fast-he'll need to be on the right antibiotic. I hope you can find one that's not too far away. His fasting may well be related, & I'd assume so until proven otherwise. I'm not seeing your snake (this is not the place to diagnose, that's what vets are for) but just throwing out some possibilities that come to my mind.

[Bogertophis]

One more thought: IF you're not within travelling distance* of a qualified herp vet, remember that "tele-health" can work for pets & vets too. The idea is to see a local vet you trust, even if they aren't reptile specialists (which you've already done) but have them contact a recommended herp specialist (for a fee, obviously) to get their diagnosis & recommended treatment that the local vet can help you with. Your local vet can show them pics & lab work, then get their input as to proper treatment plan.

*I also know that the middle of winter isn't a great time to be on a long road trip with a sick snake- a distance that might have been "do-able" in another season may well be off the table now.

I'm impressed that at least you sought vet help for your snake, but just not quite the right way so far. All the best, let us know how it goes? Please do not wait- the faster you get this snake on the right antibiotic, the better chance he has.

[David Sisko]

Don’t think it’s a burn as I’ve tried a handful of antibiotics you rub on the belly. I’ve tried each every day for couple weeks at a time with no improvement. He was on ceftazidime injections every 3 days for 6 weeks with no improvement. I’ve heard Calgary avian and exotic is really good and I would have seen them sooner but when I phoned they told me to go somewhere else because they’re booking 2 weeks out. I will give them a try again as soon as I’m able. Thanks for your advice today.

[Bogertophis]

Don’t think it’s a burn as I’ve tried a handful of antibiotics you rub on the belly. I’ve tried each every day for couple weeks at a time with no improvement. He was on ceftazidime injections every 3 days for 6 weeks with no improvement. I’ve heard Calgary avian and exotic is really good and I would have seen them sooner but when I phoned they told me to go somewhere else because they’re booking 2 weeks out. I will give them a try again as soon as I’m able. Thanks for your advice today.

So you're in Canada? The absolute rule with antibiotics is never to stop them before the full course is given- otherwise, you allow resistant bacterial growth for which there may be no available treatment if the first one fails. It sounds as if you may have stopped the injections he was getting because you weren't seeing improvement- but I hope not? Anyway, the difficulty with snakes (versus other more typical pets like cats & dogs) is that many drugs (including antibiotics) cannot safely be used for them. So the list of those available to treat isn't very long to begin with.

It also sounds as if you were guessing the diagnosis without seeing a vet for some time- delay isn't going to help the outcome if it's septicemia*- it's serious even with prompt attention. If I were you, I'd try explaining the urgency of your snake's need for veterinary help- see if they can't work you in sooner. Or maybe they could do a brief consultation (phone & internet) with another vet that can see you sooner? That's what I'd try, ask anyway. I'd call them back (Calgary Avian & Exotic) & ask if they can just consult w/ your local vet on this? -Since you have tested & are sure it's a staph. aureus infection, they should be able to suggest the right antibiotic that your local vet can prescribe? I know things are difficult, what with winter & covid making businesses short on staff- do the best you can though. Good luck- I hope something works.

[bcr229]

Can you describe his habitat? What kind of enclosure, how are you heating it, and how are you regulating the heat? What kind of substrate were you using when you first noticed the problem, and is this snake now in a minimal environment that is easy to clean and disinfect?

Ceftazidime (Fortaz) is one of the big gun antibiotics for reptiles. It hasn't been in use nearly as long as Baytril so there fewer (not zero) issues with resistant bacteria.

Not sure about in Canada but in the US you need a prescription for silvadene (silver sulfadiazine), except for one online store I found will sell it without. Highly recommended for burns.

[Armiyana]

As someone who worked in a veterinary diagnostic lab...I'm so confused as to why this vet would have run a culture...and then prescribe you a dewormer for a bacterial infection. The culture gives them a list of medications that the bacteria is sensitive to.
Unless the ceftazidime injections are what the culture turned up? in that case stopping the injections may have just made the bacteria stronger against it.

At the very least, I would keep your snake in a clean tub with paper towels. Do a small iodine or clorhex soak to flush out the sores and apply a fresh thin layer of silver sulfa or another of the antibiotic creams until you can get another vet and some sort of systemic going.

You may need to do another culture at this point because the resistances may have changed over the 2 months if there isn't any improvement.