ball python RI

[allisonleigh]

I got a ball python a few weeks ago. We noticed within a few days she had stuff coming out of her nose, wheezing, and all the sympotms of an RI. I work at a vet, but the herp doctor was out of town. I had to wait a week to take her in. He swabbed her mouth and later had someone to come and tell me all I needed to do was raise the heat. I have read everywhere they need antibiotics, but he said it would be pointless and that I would be wasting my money. He didnt tell me why it wouldnt help or if the swap showed anything. I got another doctor there to give her an injection of baytril. She has had three every two days. Does not seem to be getting better. The herp doctor I work for is an all around jerk and seems like he doesnt even care to help me out. I cant afford to take her somewhere else. Can someone tell me everything i need to do to get her better? Did i wait too long? Next time i work with the doctor im going to ask him if he even bothered to look at the swab and if not demand he does it again. Is that all they do in a culture?

[PitOnTheProwl]

His ethics say a lot even if you are asking for a favor. The animal should be his first priority.
That being said......... raising the temps is always the first move. Personally "I" would f10 fog but thats up to you.

[allisonleigh]

How many times d you need an injection and how often

[200xth]

Depends. I think 10 shots every 3 days is fairly common if an injection is called for, especially in case of broad spectrum antibiotics.

Some vets will do longer in certain situations or for certain strains of bacteria.

p.s. Your boss sounds like a jerk. I'd try to find another vet if at all possible.

[allisonleigh]

F10 fog?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Google it or check out BHBs "Down with the sickness" on youtube.

[NH93]

Well... ambient should be around 80 on the cool side, 90 on the hot spot. I know it can be difficult to keep up sometimes. You should not let those ambient air temps drop below 75F though! Especially if it is humid in the tank. Humidity + low temps = RI.

What is your set up like? Temps, thermometers, thermostats, caging, heat source(s)?

I also wonder if it's possible that your snake already had an RI brewing before you got her/him?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Well... ambient should be around 80 on the cool side, 90 on the hot spot. I know it can be difficult to keep up sometimes. You should not let those ambient air temps drop below 75F though! Especially if it is humid in the tank. Humidity + low temps = RI.

With an RI you want them hot all over

[satomi325]

Bump up your hot spot to 95.
Definitely do the supplemental F10 fogger treatment.

Baytril may or may not work. It really depends on the type of infection your snake has. There are many forms of bacterial respiratory infections, as well as fungal and viral respiratory infections. The culture is needed to target what type of infection it is and what type of antibiotic is effective. Not all antibiotics are effective since some strains of RI are resistant, which is why it's important to find out what kind of infection it.

If you cannot afford another vet, hopefully the F10+Baytril is good enough. But remember, it can take several weeks for a snake to improve and get better

[NH93]

With an RI you want them hot all over

I know I meant like... maybe I should have added, higher ambient on the warm side. Some people have said 85F-ish on the warm side for ambient, but I think everyone kinda says something different.
But in general, 80F on the cool side. I haven't dealt with an RI so I don't know the specifications of that, but I also wouldn't want to go drastic and overdue it, personally.