Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I aquired a mistreated BP 4 days ago. He was kept in low humidity on sand and his cage wasn't the cleanest. The guy I got him from had no idea he was supposed to disenfect the cage. He was using a shoe box for a hide but he only put it in the cage for a few hours every other day because that's what the guy at the pet store told him to do. Pretty sad.

He went to the vet today and the worst he could find was a minor bacterial infection on his belly scales. I expected worse. The vet gave me some baytril and a syringe with a tube and a needle. He got his first injection today and is supposed to get 4 more every 3 days. I am completely on my own with this (i.e. I have no one to help me hold him). He is just under 4' and 1800 grams. I don't think I can get that tube down his throat by myself. I need to inject the stuff into his food.

He has only been fed live rats. His eyes were blue when I picked him up and it hasn't changed. There is now way I would put a live rat in while he's shedding and I can't find anyone around with frozen. I'm not sure he'll eat anyway, he still hasn't come out of his box on his own. His setup is 48"L X 20"T X 13"D and a screen top with most of it covered. I'm still having humidity problems but it's around 42 now. Temps are 81 and 88 using a ceramic heating element. He's staying on the cool side in a cheerios box and I have a humidity hide on the warm side.

If anyone has any ideas how to get that tube down his throat by myself I would love to hear them (it took both of us at the vets office). If anyone knows where to get frozen rats in the KC, MO area I would like to know where. I ordered from rodentpro but they'll be about 4 days late. I have plenty of mice but I would prefer to stick with rats. I don't even know if he would go for a mouse and don't really want to waste the med trying. Sorry about the novel. Any tips on how to get this stuff in him?

BTW, don't rely on spurs to sex a BP. I know it's been said before, but this guy's are almost non-existint. The vet found sperm in his fecal. Even more acurate than probing, isn't it?

It's a pain with Balls by yourself. Tuck his body between your legs while you are giving him the meds... I know easier said than done, but that is how I would do it.

Also, keep his whole cage warmer, 86F cool 95F hot until the infection clears up (it will also help to put Betadine on his belly once or twice a day). When he sheds, he will look new, just keep his temps up until he is better.

Good luck
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Chad Bachman

Thanks for the reply. Trying to hold his neck and the syringe and push the plunger with two hands sounds like a recipe to lose a little blood.

He's a little testy right now, but if his eye caps come off by monday I'll give it a go.

Thank you.

I have dosed snakes orally with a ball-tip dosing needle by myself - but with pretty docile snakes. One option for a struggling snake is a restraining tube which you can see at the link below. I've never used one myself but it should prevent him from curling up.

Laura
Restraining tubes

hmm. When I had to use baytril I had to give the snake 1 shot every day for about two weeks, I too live alone. I was lucky that I have a friend who lived a few miles down the street so I would go pick him up he would come over and hold the snake while I gave her the shot then I would take him home. I use to have to get him out of bed to come over, as he worked weird hours.

Is there anyone around that could help you at all? I also posted an ad on an online classified type site and I had two other people who said they could come and help if he couldn't. The vet also said I could bring the snake back in and they could help me if I needed to. All of these are just ideas. Not sure which is harder giving a shot or in the mouth, but both aren't easy. Goodluck

Yeah, Baytril can be givin orally or SQ. I have always used Amikacin with great results, but Baytril is very effective also, depending on what you are treating.
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Chad Bachman

I read your first post and noticed you said you were having a little problem with the humidity and it was currently at 42. That is much too low. You need to get that up between 70 and 80 so he can shed properly. Also what are you using to measure the humidity levels inside the cage and inside the "humidity hide box"?

Yeah, I know it's really low. I'm using a digital thermometer and hygrometer combo with probe from wal-mart. The cage has a open top and I'm using a ceramic emitter for heat. I've covered about 90% of the top with damp towels and humidity still sucks.

I'm getting a piece of plexi-glass from home depot tomorrow. I plan on completly covering the top with it and sealing it with silicone and drilling a few holes in the side. I figure if I put about 5 or 6 3/8" holes on each end about 3" from the bottom and turn on a fan in the room it should move enough fresh air. The room temp is 79 and I wouldn't point the fan directly at the cage. I also plan on replacing the ceramic emitter with a UTH. I put in a humidity hide but he prefers the cheerios box. I'll probably leave it in and take the top off and hopefully humidity problems will be a thing of the past. If anyone thinks there may be a problem with this plan please tell me.

I ordered a couple boaphiles cages but won't get them for 4 or 5 weeks.