Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just inherited a pair of burms and one has a respiratory infection. I have Baytril 68mg tablets. She's 8 ft long and weighs 15 pounds. Can I use the Baytril on her? If so, how often and how much should I give her? Thanks in advance for the input.

Baytril is one of a few choices for treating respiratory infections, but not in tablet form. It's usually administered through injections, although I see an ocassional oral prescription in a suspense liquid form.

If you're unsure of the severity of the respiratory infection I suggest taking it to a Vet. Mild cases can be treated by raising the the cage temperatures to aproximately 82 on the cool end & 93 - 94 on the hot end. Increasing humidity level to 65% - 85% is important, too. Make sure it has plenty of drinking water and feed it often. I also suggest not using any night drop temperatures, keeping the temperatures steady 24/7.

I have a slightly different view of treating animals with meds than some other keepers. Actually, I have the same view of treating humans, too.

My view: There is a time and a place for everything. If conditions are fairly severe, the use of meds is warranted. However, if conditions aren't severe I try to avoid meds such as anitibiotics 'n such.

By administering antibiotics at the first sign of trouble, both in human science & animal science, we have contributed to creating strains of diseases & infections that are bulletproof & untreatable. Anybody remember the days when Penicillin was king?

Keep us posted on how things go.

Best wishes!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

I forgot to mention that in cases of recurring respiratory infections of a particular snake that I feel a Vet visit is a must to get a culture done to look for the specific bacterial cause & determine the best antibiotic to combat it.

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Thank you very much for your input. I don't think this is a severe respiratory infection. I've certainly seen a heck of a lot worse. She is sneezing, but there is no gurgling or bubbling. I've already bumped up the temperature to around 92-93 and I'm working on getting the humidity up. She ate the last two weekends, and we'll see if she'll eat this weekend. Thanks again.
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Spider

You're more than welcome!

I suggest keeping them separately so they don't pass it back & forth between each other.

You said it's sneezing; Just to make sure, what are you using for substrate? I normally recommend newspaper but if you need extra help in raising, maintaining the humidity and are using a wood product, make sure it's misted down to reduce dust.

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com