Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As some of you may know I'm still way new to snakes and have my first, whcih is a blood. Well when I got her she shed the first week, got an RI from low humidity the second, and went to the vets the third for the RI. Well the only time she has eaten is when the vet force fed her. She is still looking thin and I didnt really expect her to bulk up after one feeding at the vet. She is going to the vet again on Friday but they told me to try and feed her last night. So I chucked good sized mouse in and it just seemed to stress her out. She would turn her nose up anytime it came near her, and puff herself up.

Could she not be eating because she still has the RI? I dont have the option of seeing what the guy before me fed her cause she wasnt there long enough, and he wont ask his "breeder" (I think his catcher) I left her alone ever since the vet visit to see if that was the trick didnt hold her for a week. Didnt seem to work. I've tried alot of stuff now and I'm losing my mind trying to be the best herper I can to her cause she deserves it. Well they all do actually.

Temps are all great round the clock. Humidity is under control and good around the clock also. I really dont want to have to take her to the vet every week just to be fed. I have tried F/T over night even, live (for as much as 2 hours supervised), all appropriately sized mice (pet store doesnt have any sized rats, only huge).

You could try getting an f/t rat pup and soaking it in really hot chicken broth then put it in a small area with her (try putting both of them in the smallest hide she has) and cover the hide with a towel so its dark and secluded. When my female was younger she ate much better when I covered her and the rat. And to this day she wont eat her rats unless they are steaming hot.
kim

Don't worry about trying to feed a sick animal. Wait untill the symptoms are gone and they usually resume where they left off. The fact that your vet force fed the animal makes me think he/she may not be experienced at treating Reptiles? Feeding will stress the renal system, and in extreme cases could cause kidney or other organ failure. Make sure it's well hydrated though, as some anti-biotics are really hard on the kidneys. When I was prescribed oral Baytril, I would chase it down with a syringe full of water and that seemed to work pretty well

The snake is drinking tons. He gave him two shots. Metrodinazole in one and Amikacin in the other. And I believe the only reason he fed the snake is cause she is actually starting to thin out. Such as skin folds and spine outline showing. The vet was recommended by three diffrent snake breeders, too. If anything I have learned to get alot of info before doing anything with reptiles now! lol

I have the follow up visit in a couple of days, I'll let you guys know all the updates.

Thanks for the input people.

With amakacin you have to be 100% sure that your animal is hyrdrated, or it will literally overwhelm and force the kidneys to shut down. Usually drinking isn't enough and you may have to do saline ringers after every treatment. Like I said in the previous post, feeding the thing may be a death sentence. Even though it may appear skinny to you, chances are that the animal still has plenty of energy in reserve to get it through this. I had a Red blood that fought a recurring URI for six months before it got the best of him, and he wasn't at an ideal weight when he contracted the URI. Best thing for you to do is keep it stress free, Hydrated, and keep up the anti-biotics even a week or two after the symptoms disappear. If it does pull through, your going to have to be really careful in the future. From my experience they are more susceptable to a recurrent URI after they go through thier first.

This snake is for sure always hydrated. Right now he is always in his humid hide box, and I probably have to add 8 oz of water every single day his dish. Humidity is in a good level 24/7 too, so hydration hasnt really been a concern. I dont kow if the vet gave him a saline with it, I'll ask with the next treatment.

I wont try to feed him anymore, since he refused, I'll just offer again in say a few weeks. Should I be waiting till I stop the anti-biotics to try again or before that?

And one more question, since they might be more prone to getting another RI after one has happened, how can I help prevent? Are the main causes of RI, temp and humidity? I want to do everything I can to prevent this from this snake as well as my future ones. (this is a rediculous amount of addictive hobby)

After the animal is treated and symptoms dissapate, your husbandry has to be picture perfect or else you'll go right back down the URI road. Usually with more severe symptoms. Feed it after your done treating it, but don't rush if it still doesn't accept food. It'll know when its body is ready to handle it