Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have A green tree python that I am currently treating for a RTI and Flagel parasites. I realized there was a problem only a few hours after I recieved him from the shipper. I was told he had a problem keeping the proper humidity at 80-90%, which I believe to be the problem. I am giving him injections of Piperacillin 200mg/injection, and Metronidazole 500 mg/1cc. I have 5 days of treatment left, but am noticing a brown mucous around the lining of the mouth, no signs of mouthrot though. Does anyone know if this will clear up with the continued treatment, or if there is a good was of cleaning this w/out doing damage or further stress? The cage temp is 82-86 degrees, and i removed almost all the humidity to prevent the infection from getting worse. Still giving him access to water through soaking for about 10 mins to prevent dehydration and for drinking.
If you can help please post or email me at tigertrax22@hotmail.com
Justin

What is the weight of this GTP? I am assuming from your dosage of piperacillin that this is about a 2 kilogram GTP and that you are giving a 200 mg dose every 48 hours. Additionally, if this is the case, then a 500 mg dose of metronidazole is really high. How often are you dosing with the metronidazole?.

On the humidity issue, lowering the humidity to a great extent will cause excess stress on the lung tissue of this animal. A moderate humidity level should be maintained at all times throughout the treatment period, ie: 60 to 80%. I don’t think the 10 minute soak will avoid dehydration of the lung tissue if the cage humidity has been kept low. I would say your cages temps sound good, however you might bump them into the upper 80’s during the treatment period. Just my take on it.

Kelly

I agree that the low humidity will be counterproductive. When in doubt, aim for optimal husbandry and the snake will take care of itself with the help of the medications. The brown debris is possibly from a dry mouth... mucous secretions building up at the edge as they dry.

Metronidazole often comes at a 5mg/cc concentration, is that what you meant? (500mg/bag which is 500mls)

Ian

Ian, you lost me on that calculation. If you are intending to make a 5 mg/cc solution of metronidazole, you would want to dilute the 500 mg/bag with only 100 ml of water. If you dilute 500 mg with 500 ml of water you would only get a 1 mg/cc solution.

Kelly

the bottle says to give one dose today which was monday 7/9, and repeat dosage in 10 days which will be the day of his last shot. the dosage on the bottle is: metronidazole 500mg

Kelly, yup, I goofed, it is a 100ml bag, not 5oomls.

So that's 5mg/ml, and 500mg's comes in a 100ml bag.

GTP guy, is this a stock bottle or a prescription bottle? The Metronidazole 500mg likely pertains to the total bottle contents, however in larger animals that is not an unreasonable dose. Either way, following the vet's instructions is best, and the very 10 day regime is a common one.

Ian

it's a prescription bottle and its perscribed to be administered once then 10 days later,
-Justin