Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just got a 3 year old brooksi from a friend for free. Problem is she has a respiratory infection from being kept too cold. Anyone ever used this (baytril injections) and has it helped? Thanks!

I know the most important thing is raising the enclosure temperature, but I'm not sure about the meds. Isn't Baytril for internal parasites? I may be wrong, but I thought I read that on here somewhere. Derek

Baytril is an antibiotic. It is often effective on many common infections. For a do it yourselfer....it is handy to own a bottle which can only be obtained from a vet. Some infections are resisitant to Baytril so if it's not working after a week or so it may be neccesary to have tests run to find a more suitable treatment. The thing that is tough about Baytril is it is commonly recomended in a regiment of 3 injections in a row once a day and then every other day for a week to 10 days. This is a hassle and can be really hard if you don't have someone to help you. It is also very stressful on the poor snake. Definitely CRANK the heat but make sure the snake can cool off if it wants to. Heat boosts thier immune system and can sometimes do the trick on its own. Good luck. Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

Thanks Tom for your help and advice. Talked to the Vet again and yes he said Baytril is an antibiotic used to help fight of this infection, wants me to use it for 10 days, 15cc once every day.

Got her in a clean cage with heat tape below the tank, giving her the option to find the right temp for her. If by the tenth day she is not better, he will do a bacterial culture of her windpipe. So I hope this pretty girl will be on the mend.

Also heard this can be used for mouth rot, know if this is true or not?

Thanks again!

Some people cringe at the terms "cure all, or miracle drug" but Baytril is very commonly prescribed for infections in snakes. Those who know of better things for more specific diagnosis are beyond guys like me in experience or have a vet in the family. They're right in the sense that you can save yourself some time by getting the exact diagnosis and treating it with the best meds...as some illnesses are resitant to certain meds. However this can lead to the often accusational arguments about the cost of a new snake vs the cost of the treatment. Sometimes people just do not have the funds to spend hundreds of dollars on a vet visit, and this is why I had vets teach me a bit about treating common ailments.

At the very least have someone show you how to convert a snakes weight into a dosage for meds, and then have someone show you how to give injections. Mouth rot is a common name for basically anything ugly in or around a snakes mouth....and I think Baytril would probably help that along with rinsing with a anti bacterial wash. I would guess mouth rot can also be something specific but why should you feel any better if someone says something like " thats not the same disgusting stuff as last time...this time is icknmanputitiitus"... it is rare to have something happen to a snake that is not easily diagnosed if you look into a little. Still, my guess is Baytril will help.

Good advice I left somewhere on ym web site is too find a local vet before you have any problems and learn from them. You will also need to get your foot in the door to score meds and things like fecal flotation solutions for exams and get past the awkward stage of them telling you how you stink at caring for snakes....most do this and it really can annoy you to your wits end. I went through this and after I brought a snake in all in that office were astounded at how perfect it was....then I got to give them an earful and once that was out of the way we built an understanding and they give me whatever I need hassle free. The only thing is I have to bring a snake in at least ocne a year for them to legally supply me with meds,...or something to that effect. In my opinion most vets think reptiles are a waste of their time. Their business revolves around mammals and often people are extremely attatched to them as if they're one of the family which is easy to understand if you have a dog or a cat. Find a vet who will be able to walk you through the basics and in the future you will be glad you have someone to rely on for help. Once you have an arsenal of meds....which I try and keep on hand... you can save yourself some stress as sometimes you will discover time is against you...and you may not be able to see a vet for a few days. Know what I mean?

This aspect of keeping snakes....REALLY caring for them is often overlooked. Many times i have heard someone say they'd sooner let the snake die than pay a lot of cash to treat it ans that is a terrible way to look at things. When you do actually save the life of your pet it is a great feeling...and snakes ARE tough so you should do what you have to do. Chances are they will make it. Let us know how you make out. Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

Thanks again Tom you are a wealth of herp knowledge as is your site.

I'm sure she will pull through as she is getting the treatment and proper care that she needs. And your are very right about most vets. Seems most vets don't want to deal with reptiles for reasons you said and as I tend to think too there is less money in it for them, than with peoples dogs, cats and hamsters.

I have the funds to give her the treatment/treatments she needs, so I will do all that I can to give what should be her's, a happy, healthy long life. To do other wise I couldn't live with that. Thanks again Tom.

On a good note just got my first pair of nigra's today and I am stoked, they are AWESOME!

The opposite is the truth here, there is one vet trained in reptiles within like 1-2 hours of me that I know about. He advertises "I treat Reptiles" but because he is the only one around he charges alot for reptiles. I assume he only treats reptiles on occasion as opposed to mammals and birds so when he is forced to do reptiles he makes his time's worth. I'll know how to give injections at the end of this school year so this should'nt be a problem for me when I go to talk to him.

"Thanks Tom for your help and advice. Talked to the Vet again and yes he said Baytril is an antibiotic used to help fight of this infection, wants me to use it for 10 days, 15cc once every day."
15cc is way to much. He probably meant .15cc, a much smaller measument. 15cc would prolly be enough for a medium to large dog. Make sure you give it in the muscle in the forst 1/3 of the snake's body. Also what is the concentration of the solution? It should be something like .00225%, much more concentrated and it can harm the snake. Make sure you keep the snake warm (80 to upper 80s for a while).
-----
South Texas Herps

.
-----
TomsSnakes.com

That's what I'd call eagle eyes! Great call.....

Thanks Mike and you are right, it is .15cc (been one of those days all week long)! The concentration is around .00225% and she's in a clean cage with heat tape under the tank, set at 80.

She seems to be spending all her time in the warm zone of the cage, so hope this helps out along with the Bayrtil!

Again thank you for your help!

Scott

good advise in the above posts...

one note, baytril will sometimes bleach the scales at the injection site so if your animal has any white or yellow patterning its better to inject there.

Did youre vet go over specifics with you on how and where to inject?