Hey all,

So one of my recent rescues, a mojo spider male, came to me with a slight RI (what I thought was a slight/mild RI...)

I took him to the vet, who is as of right now the only exotics vet I've found in the area who has dealt with snakes to any great length. He didn't culture the infection (Yes i know...RUN! but I trusted him on this one) but he did say he's seen a few this year and so far my BP's was very mild so he prescribed Tazicef in 5 15cc doses every 3 days. He stated I should see this clear up within the first 2 injections but if I don't see an improvement in the first several shots to bring him back immediately.

Fast forward to his 3rd treatment and what I thought was vast improvement, no more bubbles at the corners of his lips, hissing started to sound normal again etc etc etc...so I go into his tub after work to give him his 3rd round of treatment and I immediately notice something is wrong....he's laying completely flat and you can see he's 100% "relaxed" with no muscle rigidity. I pick him up and he's completely weak in my hands, almost zero resistance to the touch and he can barely hold on to my arm. As a pet owner you know when your animal is 3 feet down in a 6 foot grave and he was there. I decide well I'll give him his shot but I'm guessing in the next hour or so he's going to check out and I was correct, I came back a little later and he was gone.

It sucks but life goes on and now I am reaching for answers as to what may have happened here.


TL;DR my snake had an RI, prescribed Tazicef, 3rd injection snake is dead. He lives in a rack system, 91 hotspot, 76-80 ambient depending on room temp. He ate 2 days before his vet visit. Any ideas? I'll be speaking to the vet about it but I have a feeling he won't be offering me much in the way of explanation.


Also side note any PITTSBURGH area based snake owners, who do you use as a good reptile vet? I spoke with Greg of 412Balls and have 1 good suggestion, looking for others. Thanks.