Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have just returned from the vet with our (hopefully) gravid Salmon BCI. Approximately 1.5 weeks ago she had all the classic signs of an early RI (bubbling nostrils, open mouth breathing) but seems to be improving with the bump in temp and humidity. The vet suggested helping my girl to successfully fight the RI with antibiotics--more specifically Amikacin. The snake weighs in at 9.6 pounds and the vet calculated an Amikacin dosage of 0.2 cc using the 50 mg/mL Amikacin. The vet also suggested daily injections for two weeks. I would like to hear whether or not the 0.2 cc dosage sounds correct. Also, I am thinking that daily injections are too frequent but this is our first RI and I just want to do right by this girl. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Phil

According to Carpenter, et al "The Exotic Animal Formulary" (pretty much the accepted standard formulary for exotics) The dose for Amikacin in snakes (other than pythons) is a loading dose at 5 mg/kg IM (which for your snake would be 0.4 ml), then continue at 2.5 mg/kg (which for your snake would be 0.2 ml) IM every 72 hours.

So, in my opinion, every day seems like a lot. Since Amikacin is an aminoglycoside and potentially nephrotoxic, I would at least ask your vet about it. The dose for LIZARDS is 2.5 mg/kg every 24 hours, but lizards have a higher metabolism than snakes.

Now, with that said, your veterinarian may have a reason for such a high dose (and I am not a veterinarian), but I think it warrants at least asking him/her. It also rec. that you increase the temps during treatment ( "high end of optimum temperatures" ) and make sure you have increased hydration. I would rec. warm water soaks daily. Helps protect the kidneys by increasing the water flushing through the kidneys and subsequently increases the water content in the urates (the latter has nothing to do with protecting the kidneys but is something you should be aware of).
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Stacey

Would agree with RaderRVT. Dose of 0.2 mls IM would seem appropriate (I have 4 formularys for reptiles/exotics and ranges of 2.25-4 mgs/kg IM every 72 to 96 hours) I have never used Amikacin q24hrs. Good Luck.

MANY thanks to you both for your replies to my query about the correct dosing for Amikacin. I gave our girl her first dose (the .4cc loading dose) this morning followed by a 1/2 hour soak. I will wait the 72 hours between the following .2cc doses. I will, of course, also give her daily soaks. By the way, she just completed her post ovulation shed and she looks as beautiful as ever (especially with the swollen end of her body!). Again, thank you so much for your help.

Phil