PLEASE Help with recurrent RI

[Ford Flyer]

Hey guys, I have had my ball since the end of August and he is now going through his second round of having a respiritory infection and I can't figure out why. As far as I know all my temps and husbandry have been right on, but if not hopefully somebody can shed some light on to why he keeps getting sick. He is right around 2 feet long, not sure about weight. He is in a 10 gallon aquarium with both a small UTH and heat lamp, 2 hides 1 hot side 1 cold side, and a water dish. I have him on a couple of layers of paper towels that get changed about every 3 days whether the are soiled or not. His temps are 91-95 hot, and 81-85 cold, with humidity staying right around 55% all over. I clean everything once a week with antibacterial soap and water, and about once a month I clean everything with clorox disenfecting wipes with a very thorough rinse and scrub after with water. The first time he was sick the vet said he might have been harboring the infection since I got him and it just didn't come out till then. He gave me the shots and after about 4 shots the infection went away. This first episode happened about the end of September. Then a couple of weeks ago he got it again. I still had some antibiotics left over from the first one that I have been giving him and he seems to be recovering.
I just can't figure out what I am doing wrong. Its very frustrating to see the little guy sick like this. Please any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Adam_Wysocki]

You can't stop anti-biotics after just 4 shots ... they need to be administered as a full course to be effective.

-adam

[Ford Flyer]

Thats what I have always been told too. But after the 4th shot I took him back to the vet and he said to stop as he was doing a lot better.

[tigerlily]

I'd find yourself another vet.

[joepythons]

I'd find yourself another vet.

I second this comment.You should always complete the treatments until the meds run out.He might have almost been over the UPPER RESP and then started all over again when you stopped the meds.What state are you in maybe someone can help you find another reptile vet?

[Bev]

the thing about antibiotics is that if you arent going to take the whole course then you might as well not take any of them at all. NO antibiotic will clear an infection completely in a few days, the bacteria that causes the infection wont die instantly and if the full course of antibiotics isnt administered then you are just helping the bacteria become immune to the antibiotic, ALWAYS take the full course, be it for humans or animals of any kind.

[sweety314]

the thing about antibiotics is that if you arent going to take the whole course then you might as well not take any of them at all. NO antibiotic will clear an infection completely in a few days, the bacteria that causes the infection wont die instantly and if the full course of antibiotics isnt administered then you are just helping the bacteria become immune to the antibiotic, ALWAYS take the full course, be it for humans or animals of any kind.

Ain't that G**d's truth!!? And what we DON'T need are more "Superbugs" resistant to antibiotics.

Sorry to hear that your pet is ill! It's always tough to have to see them that way. Yes, let us know where you're located and maybe someone can help you find a more reliable vet. They're human too and make mistakes, but since it's YOUR pet/investment you should get the care for your snake that you deserve.

R.

[Ford Flyer]

Thanks for the quick feedback everyone. I live on the central coast in California. Anybody between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo would be fine. You are all right though, I should have questioned stopping the meds early. Hopefully somebody knows a good vet in the area.

[frankykeno]

Second all that's been said here about always finishing up a full course of anti-biotics where it's human or with your pets. I hope someone can give you an actual recommendation based on their experience but for now the best I can offer is a couple of links that may help you find another vet or start the search for one.

http://www.anapsid.org/vets/califn.html (California North)

http://www.anapsid.org/vets/califs.html (California South) wasn't sure what part you are in...I suck at US geography lol

http://www.greenigsociety.org/vets/ca.htm (this is actually an Iguana site for recommended vets but you never know)

Best of luck on finding a better vet. We love ours and always highly recommend her but we are way up in Michigan. I will have to ask her though if she's part of any societies or whatever that could be yet another resource.


~~Jo~~

[Ford Flyer]

Thanks. I found one nearby and already left a message on their machine so I can get him in asap.