Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello folks~
I have a female that has had a recurring R.I. for the last year. She's 7' and 20 lbs. Husbandry is fine. I decided to use the Tylan I bought awhile ago. I gave her a shot for the first time on Wednesday. STRESS! I had my wife hold her. She (wife) was very nervous because she didn't want to get bit. She (boa) was fine when I inserted the needle, she didn't seem to notice. Then I started to push on the plunger... She noticed!
I think she was confused about where the pain was coming from, so she didn't bite, she just tried to flee. My wife is not strong enough to hold a 7' Boa who is trying to get away. It's times like this when I realize how freakin' strong they are. I had to move with her while pushing down on the plunger. It took two tries before I got it all in. Her next shot is tomorrow, and when I so much as look in her cage, she moves to the back of the cage quickly.

There has to be a better way!
Does anyone know some tricks/techniques?
Would someone please share them with a stressed out keeper?

Thanks for any replies.

jas
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sounddjinn@yahoo.com

Things always get cloudy, just before transformation.

Did your vet show you how to give the shot?
I had a big suriname awhile back who had to have shots.
I did it myself, while he was in his cage.
He really didn't seem to notice...
Except once he tensed up with the needle in him - bent the needle!

Also, how old is the med?
Want to make sure it isn't expired or stored improperly before you give it.

Good Luck!

John D
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0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"

First, I don't know your experience. Unless you're a vet, possibly a tech, or of like credentials, stop what you're doing, pay a bit of money and do things right. Shall I go on how in most first world countries practicing vet. med. is illegal. (I still don't know why the US has so many loopholes?)

For injections, even with large boids, a snake tube may prove beneficial... you can usually find pvc piping that'll fit a BCI.

Some medications are indeed more irritating than others. I don't necessarily object to your choice, but your rational behind using it. A culture should be taken, especially if this is recurrent.

Ian

Some of us like to own Boas in spite of the fact that there are no exotic vets in the erea. I suppose I could set up an appointment, drive the 200 miles, to see a vet that would prescribe treatment that may or may not work. Baytril, the most commonly prescribed med for an R.I. offentimes does not work.
According to The Boaphile, Jeff Ronne, who has a little experience with Boas, Tylan is the best option. The reason I'm using it is because the R.I. is recurring in spite of proper husbandry.

Thanks for the pvc idea though, I might try that.

jas
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sounddjinn@yahoo.com

Things always get cloudy, just before transformation.

If the vet you've chosen just reaches for Baytril then you'd be best look'n for another vet. Remember that most reptile vets are not zoo.-med specialists (who want's to know about walrus' to treat snakes), and that doesn't mean they arn't good. I'm also not niave enough to think that there arn't vets that may be a little over their heads when looking at reptiles. Choose wisely. Now unless your really in the middle of no where, I'm sure there is a vet that aint bad not too far. Check out www.arav.com, or local zoos for referals. Ask if you need further help in your search. Even if you want to dabble in RI treatments, what'll you do when something more severe happens?

Enough on that, your choice of Tylan because Jeff said it's alright is no different than Dr. Hodunk reaching for Baytril because Dr. Nextdoor used it fine.

The recurrence. Husbandry-ruled out. Immunosuppression? Perhaps. Is this guy quarantined? IBD carriers have been known to be "poor-doers"; but immunosuppression isn't limited to this disease. Pneumonia? A common, and likely reason for recurrence in RI's. What ends up happening is the infection is treated, the symptoms dissappear where it's visible, but deep in the airsacs of the long lungs it festers. Lacking the ability to cough, pneumonia can be very difficult to treat.

What I recommend assuming this guy continues to be recurrent:
A blood panel, X-rays, and lung swab/culture. This "should" give you a better picture of what's going on withen the body.

You may think I'm a dick, I just hope I'm helpfull.

Ian

Thanks for the advice. I don't think you're a dick! Imho the best conversations can get a little heated.
The R.I. is clearing up. During the first shot, I had to pull her out for weighing, so she was kinda squirmy to begin with. The secong injection was much easier. I laid a shirt over her head and she held still. Today will be her third dose. She's deep in blue.

To be honest, I don't care for vets much. Most are in the buisness to make money 1st and help animals second. I have some vet stories you wouldn't believe.

thanks,

jas
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sounddjinn@yahoo.com

Things always get cloudy, just before transformation.

I know it can be tough! A couple of months ago one of my snakes had a nose rub (what I think was a splinter of aspen got stuck in his nose) and it swelled badly - took him to the vet, who numbed it and then yanked the scab & cleaned out all the pus (not infected) - and the vet showed me how to give Baytril orally. Helping the vet do it, and then later trying to do it yourself is a lot different - shoving a (non-needle) syringe down your poor boa's throat isn't pleasant for any involved! He never tried to bite, though it was a 2 person job and he's just a 5 foot slender Hog Island.

Not sure where on the snake you are injecting, but putting most of the snake headfirst into a pillowcase, with the injection area sticking out, might help, especially if your wife is afraid of being bitten... that way at least the head and mouth won't be a danger even if you'll still have to wrestle the rest of the snake.