Questions/Concerns

[mikesmelly]

So I took my BP to the vet today and he gave me antibiotics to be given orally. Only problem is, I can't get her mouth open! When I was at the vet he opened her mouth to check it out and seemed to have no problem at all, and now for me she's squiggling all around and not opening her mouth. Does anyone have any idea how I can get her mouth open?

Also, he suggested I soak her in warm water for about 10 minutes, which I did, and now she seems super active in her cage, and is also resting on the fake plants that are suction cupped to the side of the tank, which she's never done before. Any idea what gives with this behavior?

[BCS]

If you are giving her the medication by a syringe it easy. Hold your snake's body with your forearm or have someone hold the body for you. Gently hold her by the back of her head. She will not like it at all and will fight. You will have to push the syringe through her mouth and she will open it for you.

As for the weird behavior, when things change they tend to become active. She will be her usual self in no time.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I am curious what are the anti-biotics for?

Based on the prescription (oral anti-biotics) and the fact that the vet recommend soaking my first suggestion here would be to find another vet that is qualified in reptiles.

[mikesmelly]

I am curious what are the anti-biotics for?

Based on the prescription (oral anti-biotics) and the fact that the vet recommend soaking my first suggestion here would be to find another vet that is qualified in reptiles.

The antibiotics are for a respiratory infection. He suggested soaking in warm water to help hydrate her. How am I supposed to find a vet who is qualified in reptiles when they told me he's their reptile vet?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The antibiotics are for a respiratory infection. He suggested soaking in warm water to help hydrate her. How am I supposed to find a vet who is qualified in reptiles when they told me he's their reptile vet?

Many vet when asked will tell you they will see reptiles yet have no experience I have met a few of them even one that thought a snake about to shed had scale rot here is what I can tell you

Bathing a sick animal is a bad idea, a snake with a RI does not need the additional stress it's completely counter productive, bathing an healthy one is not good either.

Oral anti-bitotics are VERY inefficient with snakes.

Did he perform a culture? What is the cause of the RI? How long is the treatment?

[mikesmelly]

Many vet when asked will tell you they will see reptiles yet have no experience I have met a few of them even one that thought a snake about to shed had scale rot here is what I can tell you

Bathing a sick animal is a bad idea, a snake with a RI does not need the additional stress it's completely counter productive, bathing an healthy one is not good either.

Oral anti-bitotics are VERY inefficient with snakes.

Did he perform a culture? What is the cause of the RI? How long is the treatment?

No he looked in her mouth, listened to her breathing and asked me what symptoms caused me to bring her there. Then he gave me the antibiotics and told me to give them to her orally twice daily for 14 days.

Edit: I also got her mouth open and gave her the medicine, although some got dribbled out and she kept her head straight up for a couple of minutes.

[anicatgirl]

Make sure it's not going down into the lungs too!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

No he looked in her mouth, listened to her breathing and asked me what symptoms caused me to bring her there. Then he gave me the antibiotics and told me to give them to her orally twice daily for 14 days.

Edit: I also got her mouth open and gave her the medicine, although some got dribbled out and she kept her head straight up for a couple of minutes.

Without a culture there is no way to know what type of RI you are dealing with and therefore what type of anti-biotic is better suited (different RI require different anti-biotics), additionally once diagnosed the antibiotics prescribed will be injectable and for a treatment duration of at least a month.

A culture is the first thing a QUALIFIED vet would do.

[mikesmelly]

Without a culture there is no way to know what type of RI you are dealing with and therefore what type of anti-biotic is better suited (different RI require different anti-biotics), additionally once diagnosed the antibiotics prescribed will be injectable and for a treatment duration of at least a month.

A culture is the first thing a QUALIFIED vet would do.

What he said was, this treatment knocks out most cases of an RI, but if she shows no signs of getting better once I finish to bring her back. The bottle he gave me says enrofloxacin.