How long does a RI take to clear up?!

[bigballs]

Don't get me wrong...I'll do what I need to do to get my snake well! But at the time the store offered to treat him, I didn't see any harm in letting them try....I still don't! Now, tho, the treatments don't seem to be working...so I will take him to the vet. He just shed yesterday as well....poor thing!

His temps and humidity are good!

The Amikacin is what they gave him! The shot they gave him was about 3 inches down from his head.

Thanks for the help everyone!!

hey rebecca, its not really ever worth a try having pet store employees practice vererinary proceedures on any animal because the jobs qualifications between them are just slightly different... you know?

im glad you decided to take your bp to a professional where he can actually start receiving proper treatment and walk the road to recovery!

p.s. one time i needed surgery and a butcher quoted me cheaper than a surgeon so i went to him to perform the operation. let me tell you, did not go so well.... j/k

[the bull]

A pet is a responsibility, regardless of whether that pet costs $5 or $5000. Their life is in your hands.

Ok....so if you take a housefly in as a pet and it gets sick and someone who works on houseflies can says they can give it a shot for $80, is it your responsibility to pay them $80?

[littleindiangirl]

Ok....so if you take a housefly in as a pet and it gets sick and someone who works on houseflies can says they can give it a shot for $80, is it your responsibility to pay them $80?

How does a housefly have any bearing on this? I know your trying to make a point, but the point has been missed by sheer over exaggeration, and I think your just trying to start an arguement.

Perhaps you dont think it's necessary to take a rat to the vet, but I along with many others do. Any animal in your charge deserves to be treated humanly. Giving medical care when needed, whether free or not, is the responsible thing to do.

Regardless of the monetary value of the animal.

[bigballs]

Ok....so if you take a housefly in as a pet and it gets sick and someone who works on houseflies can says they can give it a shot for $80, is it your responsibility to pay them $80?

if you decide to take on the responsibility of a housefly as your pet then you must pay the $80 dollars for the shot. if you dont want that responsibility you can choose not to have it by not taking in the fly.

no matter what the creature is, a life is a life regardless of the monetary value.

[the bull]

no matter what the creature is, a life is a life regardless of the monetary value.

I disagree, I think you need to look at the value of the animal and the animals lifespan. By value of the animal I mean how much it means to me. i love my dog she goes with me everywhere and brings me great joy. $1200 would be spent with out even thinking about it! My last dog was a boxer and he was 12 years old he started getting sick alot and finally needed a $2,000 operation. i had to put him to sleep. I loved him but it was time to let go. He was 4 years over his lifespan and lived a great life. I never had a rat pet, I have set traps in the garage for them though. For me to spend over a grand on a rat, well he better be one charming ass rat! Like cooler than Stewart Little!

[littleindiangirl]

I disagree, I think you need to look at the value of the animal and the animals lifespan. By value of the animal I mean how much it means to me...

For me to spend over a grand on a rat, well he better be one charming ass rat! Like cooler than Stewart Little!

Ok, so apparently this rat was worth over a grand to the owner. So where's the issue?

Just because you wouldnt spend that money on this rat for the surgeries, doesn't mean others wont.

Just like you, she had the option to either put the animal down (responsible) or try and save him (also responsible).

Alleviating the pain and suffering the animal is responsible.

The irresponsible part comes in when they refuse medical treatment. Whether that be putting them down, or trying to save the animal through other means.


And yes, some rats are that special.

[invadertoast]

Just had to chime in here... My $35 ball python got an R.I. and I didn't hesitate to take her to the vet which was over an hour away, when I was 15. There was no question that she had to go, so she went and got proper treatment. The vet bill cost alot more than the $35 snake. My $40 leopard gecko also had to go to the vet because something was stuck in his eye. 80 dollars later, some ointment cleared it up just fine. I've also taken pet rats to the vet, including my 3+ year old who was attacked by my cat and was obviously not going to make it. Right now I'm treating a $2 fish for what I think is a fungal infection.

It doesn't matter what the animal is, if you choose to keep it in your care, it's your responsibility to keep it alive and thriving.

To the original poster - When my ball had an R.I. (the wheezing was so severe it sounded just like a sick person) my vet gave me 5 or 6 shots to give her at home. She recovered in about 2 weeks. Good luck!

[West Coast Jungle]

Another pet store nightmare story.

You are on an animal lover forum and many of us have spent (including myself) many many 100's of $ treating animals/snakes.

I know this sucks and we all learn somewhere but the final decision is yours. I would have taken the snake back for a refund if you dont want to deal with it. It can take up to a month to complete an antibiotic routine depending on what the vet perscribed and if in fact they are using the right medication. There is no one med that cures all types of RI infections.

My first BP had ticks and mites and I still returned it to the pet store and never got another snake from a pet store again.
Lesson learned.

[bigballs]

It doesn't matter what the animal is, if you choose to keep it in your care, it's your responsibility to keep it alive and thriving.

exactly! thats what im sayin'

hey the bull, in your situation with the dog i would also consider putting it down at that stage of its life. the quote from invadertoast is the point though. whether it be a $5000 ball python or dog or a $5 rat.

but i guess you may have a point because if i had $1000 and must choose between treatment for keeping one of my snakes or you alive, then i'd probably choose my snake.

what can i say they are worth that much to me and your not that charming!

[the bull]

exactly! thats what im sayin'

hey the bull, in your situation with the dog i would also consider putting it down at that stage of its life. the quote from invadertoast is the point though. whether it be a $5000 ball python or dog or a $5 rat.

but i guess you may have a point because if i had $1000 and must choose between treatment for keeping one of my snakes or you alive, then i'd probably choose my snake.

what can i say they are worth that much to me and your not that charming!

You better choose your snake!!!!!!
I am just another smartazz chump on the internet!