Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was prescribed 0.1 ml of baytril every 48 hours for my lizard, is that often enough or should I go to once a day? She is 35 grams.

The 48 hour time frame between dosages is standard for many antibiotics when used in snakes and lizards. Because of their slower metabolism, these reptiles retain therapeutic concentrations of antibiotics in their serum and tissues much longer than with mammals. After dosage, peak serum concentrations are usually reached in 6 to 12 hours in most reptiles depending on the class of antibiotics used and the route of administration. Serum and tissue concentrations will then taper off over the next 24 to 48 hours or so depending on the antibiotic, to just about minimum inhibitory concentrations. Baytril, as in your case, is typically administered at 48 hour intervals in snakes and lizards.

Kelly

There is no absolute answer to your question. There are few pharmacokinetic studies that have been performed in reptiles to determine optimal dosing and frequency. When studies are present they are usually in single species. Baytril was evaluated in burmese pythons and treatment of infections of more enrofloxacin-sensitive gram-negative bacteria could be achieved with the administration of an initial i.m. dose of 10 mg/kg followed by 5 mg/kg every 48 hr. Most people assume that this data can be extrapolated to other species, which is most likely correct, but this is just an assumption. I would continue with the injections every 48 hours. If this is not effective it is probably more likely that you have the wrong antibiotic, not that you are not giving it frequently enough.
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Michael McFadden, M.S., D.V.M.