Respites Infection. WE NEED HELP

[bcr229]

I know I shoudln't assume... but I'd assume it's the same as with humans... antibiotics don't work against a virus. Over the counter stuff works (in humans) but it pretty much has to run it's course.

This. There are no cures - period - for any viral infections. We either fight them off or we die.

There are vaccines for things like influenza, but if you get it you basically have to hope your immune system clobbers it.

Many vets will still prescribe abx to prevent an opportunistic bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, from taking over while your snake is fighting the viral disease.

[SmoothScales]

I know I shoudln't assume... but I'd assume it's the same as with humans... antibiotics don't work against a virus. Over the counter stuff works (in humans) but it pretty much has to run it's course.

It is my understanding that OTC medications treat the symptoms, but the virus still has to run its course. Any antibiotics prescribed would be a prophylactic measure against opportunistic bacterial infections.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

First thing STOP bathing your snake, bathing snakes which increases stress + improper husbandry is a bad combination, bath even without improper husbandry is still something that you want to avoid.

Second with a RI a culture MUST be done, hence the need of a good herp vet, a good herp vet will do a culture before prescribing any type of antibiotics, not all RI are the same.

Third the usual treatment when diagnosed properly is injectable anti-biotics and should last a month.

Not all vets have reptile experience and that is really key when taking your snake to a vet.

Right now go back to your vet (only if you believe that he will take what you will tell him in consideration) or find another one, get a culture and get the proper treatment, limit stress (that mean no handling except for maintenance and treatment) also remember that feeding right now is not a priority once a week on schedule if he takes it is more than enough, IF the animal is underweight this can be addressed once the animal recovered.

[Smichaeleen]

The soaking is BS unless your snake is dehydrated and your just trying to get it to drink, although it can be a way to help remove some of the retained shed. If you have the proper conditions in the cage it isn't necessary. The rest of the setup sounds OK, but if you can put up some photos of the whole enclosure and tell us what your using to measure temps and humidity, we can see if anything needs tweaked. Your vet was right about getting rid of the hot rock at least, and the CHE will save you money on bulb replacements in the long run. Also, with it fighting the RI, I wouldn't recommend trying to pump food. Save that for when it's feeling better. What is the snakes weight, and what and how often were you feeding it before? And are you sure it's a male? Can't really make a suggestion on feeding until I know these things.

This is my tank set up. I have a UTH and the ceramic lamp hooked into a thermostat where I have the sensor under the towel bedding. I have a lamp I turn on during the day for daylight and extra day warmth. I also have a digital and regular thermometer in there. The hygrometer in the piece taped to the side. He has one drinking dish and I also have a more hollow dish in the cool side for him to bath in. He has a hide box in the mid section. That's his tank. And I'm positive he's male. And I will definitely hold on the feeding. But thank you so much. I hope this helps. And before I was feeding him medium mice about every other week. He wouldn't eat every week. His weight was 435 kg with his last visit which was 11-17.

[Smichaeleen]

Thank you very much! When I went to the vet they didn't say anything about really handling him or anything, so I just assumed it was okay to be soaking and feeding. But great to know!

[Smichaeleen]

Thank you. I will definitely speak with the vet about this. I scheduled an appointment for tomorrow and to get a culture done. So, I'm hoping to get some results later next week on what he'll need to antibiotics. And I'll just let him be for now. So, no touching or handling until he is fully healed.

[bcr229]

This is my tank set up. I have a UTH and the ceramic lamp hooked into a thermostat where I have the sensor under the towel bedding.

Your t-stat probe is supposed to be outside of the tank, sandwiched between the UTH and the underside of the glass. Otherwise your snake can move the probe off of the heat, pee on it, dump his water, etc. which will cause the probe to send a low-temp reading to the t-stat, and then your UTH overheats.

[Darkbird]

OK, looking at the pic it looks as if your using a screen top. Your going to want to seal that off with sheet plastic or something, that will allow you to stabilize temps and humidity a bit and stop having the bad sheds. Right now your losing most of it through the screen.

[Smichaeleen]

Alright. I try to keep a plastic tub lid under the blanket I have. But you're suggesting a sheet of plastic? And I took Leviathan to the vet and she suggested while the culture was being processed to put him on another antibiotic along with the one he is on. I told her I would rather just finish this antibiotic and wait for the culture. I felt like that would cause more stress on him to be getting shots nearly every day. But I mentioned what you and many others had said about the soaking and she said to just continue with the soakings. I'm wondering if just a more humidified room would be better rather than removing him from his tank. Is it best just to touch him when giving him his treatment? I'm not sure if I should be feeding him regularly either.

[Felidae]

I agree with everyone about the culture must done in the case of RI, and at least when the snake is sick need to avoid the stress as possible. The setup isn't the best, if you can, look around a littlebit in the caging forum, especially in the topics with the "screen top" or "aquarium" theme.
Sorry if I misunderstood with my bad English, but that snake what you have since 12 years? If yes, need to look up that medium mouse biweekly feeding schedule too.