Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male butter has been breeding my six females and developed resp. infection. I stopped breeding him and he went into shed a couple of days after I noticed the resp. It was pretty bad, when he shed he got a little better but still has it(mucas and constantly opening his mouth and bubbles coming out and wheezing) I offered him food but he refused. A friend of mine gave me some amicasin to inject him, I gave it to him last night and I`m keeping him warmer and a little more humid than usual. Should I use Baytril? Aand if so how often should I inject him? Also how long does resp. infection take to cure and when would it be safe to put him back in with the females? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Isaac

NO! He should not be put back in with your other snakes, he really should not be in the same room! URI's are extremely contagious in snakes, and you should be washing your hands after handling them. I'm no vet, but I know from experience that it can take up to 8 weeks to become symptom-less, and another MONTH for it to be really out of their systems.

It's like Bordetella or Kennel Cough in dogs, even though they finally become symptomless, it will still be there for a long time.

You need to take your snake to a vet.
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

Start with increasing the heat. Take out the water bowl...put it in once every couple of days for 2 hours and remove. Water increases the mucous and we want to dry him out. Do this for one week and see if he is better. I have often taken the snake from a rack system and placed him in an aquarium where I can use an under the tank heat strip AND a heat lamp overhead to really produce some drying heat.

This increased heat treatment is the first step in treating URI. If this does not help, them I turn to antibiotics.

Susan - SSNAKES

This is really good advice!!! Way to go, Susan. Just make sure not to OVER heat him!
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)