Reptile & Amphibian Forums

so my pastel het red axanthic ball python has been making some funny whistling and bubbling sounds when first picked up, i had not seen any discharge but was worried and took the snake to the vet. the vet said he did not believe the snake to have an upper respitory infection like i had presumed but he did think the snake had something going on with his sinuses. he prescribed baytril as a broad spectrum antibiotic.

my question i guess is how long does it take for the baytril to take effect and what should i do if the snake is not better after im done with the injections.

today i did see a small drop of discharge from one of his nostrils the other seems fine, it has been 2 days since the vet visit and he just got his second shot of baytril.

any advice or suggestions are welcome. also i have increased heat and humidity
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

it is all about humidity. if you can keep them nice and humid they stay healthy, just like humans, we get sinus problems when they are dry mostly. that is kind of lazy for your vet to give your animal antibiotics without even checking to see if it needed them though.
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Evan Stahl Reptiles
www.evanstahl.com

unfortunately its the only vet close tome that i know of that takes in reptiles. i even requested a sensativity test to the receptionist when i made the appt. i forgot to mention it to the vet which is my fault. i just really like this snake and hopeit pulls through.
any idea on how long for antibiotics to work?
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

I would bet that as you described it your increased heat and humidity will likely solve the problem. Baytril is usually used for a week or two, most vets I have talked to will do 2-4 doses a week for animals with full blown obvious respiratory infections.

I just meant that I was surprised your vet would not try to detect or culture bacteria prior to going to antibiotics. Just like in humans the over use of them when not needed has caused them to become much less effective.
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Evan Stahl Reptiles
www.evanstahl.com

im willing to bet he does have a resp. issue sounds like one to me and for some reason unless you have a amazing reptile vet most are not real keen on snakes!

im hoping its not but as far as not being keen on snakes the vet actually owned a cornsnake for many years so i know thats not the problem. im really hoping its something that the baytril takes care of. its better for the snake if its in his sinuses respitory problems are bad news.
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Isn't Baytril supposed to be used BID (twice a day)

My reptile vet is very knowlegable, to the point zoos bring him in around the world for their herps. Though he specializes in frogs he does keep up with snakes because his wife favors snakes. He examined a borneo for me a couple of yrs ago, said it had a sinus infection that had not moved to the lungs, told me to raise temps a couple of degrees, keep humidity up and gave me baytril. One injection per day, every other day for five injections. Did the trick.

Claude

thats the same prescription regime my vet gave me as well exept i had already increased temps and humidity myself.
thanks for the replies
adam jeffery
-----
" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.