Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been using various supplements over the years but just found out about something different than vitamins.
Its called "NutriBac df". THe claim is that NutriBac df "probiotic" stimulates the appetite by repairing the damage done to the digestive system by modern medications that eliminate total gut micro flora.
I assume they are talking about Flagyl & Panacur which is used and quite effectively to kill internal parasites.
While they kill the bad parasitic loads and microrganisims, it is not selective and the good bacteria is killed to.
Guess it works something like yogurt does for our digestive tracts.(?)
Kathy Love says that this product helps with regurge problem snakes.
She gave it a good reconmendation so in that she knows a little something about snakes ,... I bought two jars.
I just fed my collection tonight and I can tell you that with the frozen thawed mice dusted with this stuff it didn't deter them one bit from feeding. They even seemed ravenous for more!
Must be like snake candy.
It seems to be a sensible follow up after using Flagyl & Panacur.
Anyone else use this?
Mike.

I've never seen any reason to use supplements for snakes. Rodents are a nutritionally complete food source.

Flagyl and Panacur are best administered by a vet. If the snake has a large parasite load and too much parasite killer is given, the overly large death of the parasite load can cause problems for the snake.

Generally speaking, things like Panacur and Flagyl are not given to a snake unless it is known to have parasites.

Tim

Third Eye

...what the heck is that thing Tim?

Just in case Tim doesn't get back to respond to this, it's a Russian Ratsnake(Elaphe shrencki), aka Amur Ratsnake.

These are very underrated in the hobby for some reason.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Tims right about rodents being an entirely healthy and complete source of ALL the needed vitamins and minerals, and other essentials, and giving too much of the wrong or un-necessary thing could possibly work quite the opposit by putting a strain on the organs like the liver, kidneys, etc..

I've never used Nutri-bac personally, but I've read many good things about it when used correctly in the right circumstances. Yes, it is true Flagyl(Metronidazole) will kill all bacteria, good and bad, so there is some warrant to using this product to get the flora balance in the gut back up to par on certain animals. I would imagine if very small amounts were used once in a while, it might help to ensure things in the gut to continue to work properly, but if the animal is healthy to begin with, and the husbandry and environment is optimum, it shouldn't need it though. Now for recovering sick, delicate hatchlings that have had regurge issues for example, this could certainly be very beneficial.

Most people want to feed snakes that have regurgitated way too early anyway, when actually the best thing they could do is leave them alone and warm for a week and a half or more so they are able to replenish the critical enzymes, acids, bacteria, and electrolytes they initially lost that is needed for proper digestion.

In any case, yes there is some definite merrit to the stuff I would think, but a regular regimen of supplemental vitamins for snakes might be a waste of time and money in most circumstances, and maybe even less healthy in some cases.

Lizard supplimentation along with proper UV light is a totally different thing though, and is definitely needed to maintain proper health.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"