Hello Fell. Welcome to BP.net.

I'm sorry to see you've joined under such horrible circumstances, and what little explanation I can offer is not likely to make you feel any better. For which, I apologize.

First, if the vet that the reptiles have been seeing that finally diagnosed their illnesses as a respiratory infection is not a Herp Vet, I would find another ASAP. If she/he is a herp specialist, then they should have been able to tell you that if the infection is in fact viral as he/she expects, it is not treatable with antibiotics. Just as a human virus is not treatable with antibiotics.

My first BP came down with a horrible respiratory infection that the vet thought might be viral. She did not make it, sadly. And every time one of my snakes makes any sort of strange noise now, I immediately check for every sign of a respiratory infection that I'm aware of. Your experience has been particularly horrible.

The only way to know for sure what type of bacteria or virus is affecting the reptiles specifically is either to do a tracheal flush, or a necropsy on one of the deceased animals. I recommend attempting to have the latter done. Suggest to your manager or to the vet, whomever it takes, that a necropsy is done as soon as possible. That way the store will have a better idea of what they are dealing with and so will you.

Until then however, if antibiotics have proven unsuccessful in the past, preemptively treating your snake with Baytril or some other antibiotic is unlikely to help. Therefore, until you know what you're dealing with, I suggest that you avoid being around or handling your snake when you come home from work. Take a shower as soon as you get home, and put your uniforms in the wash. Do not touch or come in contact with anything that was at your work or around the sick animals and then go near your snake. If you do have to handle the clothes you wore, be sure to wash thoroughly before touching your snake, and if possible, before going in the room where your snake is kept. I know it sounds like a lot, but viral infections are VERY contagious, as you have seen. Watch your snake carefully for any signs of abnormal behavior or respiratory infection. If you notice ANYTHING out of the ordinary, take your snake to a vet immediately and let them know you suspect a possible viral infection if you have not had that confirmed via necropsy yet.

I really wish you the best of luck with this, and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. I'm sure there are others on the site who may have greater insight to add. Hopefully someone else will be able to shed more light on this.