Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I have a 1000gram carpet python with an uri and I need to get the correct dosage to treat the infection with Tylan 200. My syringe is based in ML so that would help in the dosing instructions. How often would help too. Thanks in advance.

Chris

Tylan, or tylosin, is a macrolide class antibiotic that is mainly effective against only gram positive bacteria. It has been used successfully to treat chronic RI in reptiles caused by bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma and possibly Streptococcus (rarely). Some people confuse Mycoplasma with bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium, which causes tuberculosis, but they are completely different. Tylosin will usually work well only if the causative organism of the RI is Mycoplasma, otherwise it will usually be ineffective in resolving most other types of infections in reptiles.

Tylosin is relatively non-toxic and has a wide margin of safety, and I have seen dosage recommendations running from 5 to 50 mg/kg body weight at 48 to 72 hours between dosages. In the 1980’s I used it at 25 mg/kg per day on burmese pythons with no toxic effects, however I would not suggest that dosage. I have not seen any formal clinical PK studies conducted with tylosin on reptiles, but Ross, and later Jenkins, has looked at it informally. I would recommend that a vet check this python and determine if tylosin is the appropriate antibiotic of choice, as other classes of antibiotics will be more effective unless it is a Mycoplasma RI.

The Tylan 200 you have has 200 mg of tylosin per ml of solution. However, a vet experienced with reptiles should determine the correct antibiotic and dosage for your situation. Good luck and let us know how things progress.

Kelly

Thanks alot for the reply. Also, I have some leftover Baytril, do you think it would be okay to give him some baytril along with the tylan in order to knock out a wider range of bacteria? The snake is sounding very rough and I really think he needs to get some help quickly.

Also, when another one of my snakes had an RI, the vet gave me a watered down baytril solution to apply to the snakes nostrils topically in a drip form, do you think this is necessary/heloful?

Thanks again.

What should the humidity be at in the enclosure?

I would discourage the use of multiple antibiotics at once unless it's really called for. Drugs take their toll on an animal too. Otherwise, instead of diagnostics, vets would treat every animal with a barage of medications knowing at least one will cover the problem.

It is important to take a direct, consice route of action against the problem. If I'm not making an improper assumption, you are treating your snake with whatever you have at hand, and not treating your snake with what the problem leads you to. Inappropriate antibiotic use might still get rid of the RI for now, but if it doesn't, or if another infection returns in the future, you'll have only made it more difficult (and expensive) to treat.

My recommendations are:
One, visit the python forums here, grab a book or two and be certain your husbandry is perfect. Doing this will also help you find the answer to your humidity question. Optimal husbandry will not only be your best help towards a cure, but in preventing future problems.
Two, since this guy is already sick, and sounds rough, take him to the vet. If you want, let him know what drugs you have already, and if it fits, he might incorporate them into the treatment plan to save you a few dollars. The benifit of the vet visit will be documentation for reference to future care, a professional hands-on exam, supplementory treatment if needed (ie, fluid therapy or other), diagnostics as seen appropriate, and a treatment plan that takes into consideration the needs of the animal, the risks of plan A versus plan B, and of course your wallet.

Ian

Synergism and increase in spectrum of activity does occur with specific antibiotic combinations, i.e.: some cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, but these are usually antimicrobial class specific, case related therapies and not typical used. These combinations are usually reserved for severely resistant infections, or infections involving multiple pathogenic bacterial species, or in rare cases where a fear of resistance development is an issue.

I have agreed with Ian previously in that if the python is displaying symptoms of a serious RI, a vet should be contacted. The vet may find that the Baytril you have may be usable, or possibly contraindicated, and may determine that a different antibiotic may be more appropriate. Baytril is a good effective antibiotic, but by no means the best choice for all applications, as other antibiotics can easily be more effective depending on the bacterial species, severity, and location of the infection, and previous antibiotic treatment history of this python.

As far as humidity, with an active RI, humidity with most tropical and sub-tropical python species should be maintained at between 70 to 80%, with a warm area in the cage in the low 90’s. Standard humidity levels for healthy specimens of these species are usually recommended to be between 60 and 70%.

And a final question: Was the Baytril you have used on this python, or was it used with another snake in your collection?

Kelly

Kelly,

I have the baytril from a previous snake that had a ri last year.