gettin worried. help

[rabernet]

So, I'm interested. I've always been told that with the slower metabolism of snakes that oral delivery of the antibiotic is less effective than Sub-Q delivery of the anti-biotics.

I think that Dr. Scott Stahl even covers this when he was a guest on Reptile Radio (he's considered THE leading herp vet in the country, if not the world).

CritterVet, since you are a veterinarian, you may also find this episode interesting. My vet was very interested in listening to it and learning about the more cutting edge medicine and treatment of RI's.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptile...ile-Veterinary

Probably one of the most informative episodes of Reptile Radio, IMHO.

Here is Dr. Stahl's website: http://www.seavs.com/

[CritterVet]

Yes, I hope to investigate the literature regarding oral delivery of antibiotics to snakes someday when I have the time. It's definitely safer to give Baytril by mouth, but whether or not it's as effective I don't know. I doubt anyone knows, even the venerable Dr. Stahl, as the research simply hasn't been done.

[CritterVet]

Hi Robin,

I did some searching and could not find any data about oral availability of Baytril in snakes. However, I did find that another antibiotic, azithromycin, has been shown to be absorbed through the GI tract in ball pythons and reach effective plasma levels. Also metronidazole, an antibiotic used in anaerobic infections, has been shown to be absorbed through the GI tract in yellow rat snakes. So it's certainly feasible that Baytril would also be absorbed through the GI tract, but no one has done the studies yet.

CritterVet

[mpkeelee]

first off thanks to all of u who have been replying. i have been off for a while cuz my wife got my computer a virus from facebook. my snake is doing much better. found a new vet and she is great. her exam was awesome. i insisted on shots this time. my snake got a shot of amikacin and meloxicam. she had her 2nd shot the other day. from now on she will only be getting the antibiotic (not sure which is which). monday is the third shot and she has been doing much better. not many shots left and i hope this is it for RI's

[CritterVet]

Amikacin is the antibiotic, meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory drug. Glad to hear that she is improving.