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I believe I overdosed my snake on flagyl. He has motor skills problems and doesnt really move at all but very little. He has been like this for 2 weeks now. Is there any hope of recovery ? Ive been tubing pedialite down his throat to keep him hydrated. If he is going to remain like this Im going to put him down but I want to give him every chance at a recovery. I feel terrible and quite stupid and please hopefully somebody learns from my mistakes and take your animal to the Vet!

Jack

The best thing you can do for him is to seek professional help from a veterinarian ASAP! Sorry I couldnt be more help! Good Luck!

A friend of mine did the same thing to a ball python. He accidentally gave like 3 times what the snake was suppose to have. She has very similar symptoms. She wasn't very resposive and when she was, it was a slow lazy movement, and she just layed around. She is fine now though. She snapped out of it in a week and a half. I would still deffinately seek profesional help and advise though. Good luck and I hope your snake pulls threw!
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>>I believe I overdosed my snake on flagyl. He has motor skills problems and doesnt really move at all but very little. He has been like this for 2 weeks now. Is there any hope of recovery ? Ive been tubing pedialite down his throat to keep him hydrated. If he is going to remain like this Im going to put him down but I want to give him every chance at a recovery. I feel terrible and quite stupid and please hopefully somebody learns from my mistakes and take your animal to the Vet!
>>
>>Jack

Jack,
You can't really "undo" the damage that an overdose of Metronidazole can cause, but the neurological symptoms you mention may go away with time.

The major concern is kidney and liver damage, which will likely be permanent. The snake may be asymptomatic for years if it recovers from the immediate visible symptoms, but may succumb to liver disease down the road. If the kidneys were seriously damaged, then renal failure will likely happen more quickly, especially if the animal was dehydrated at all.

What is the species of the snake, how much does it weigh and how much Metro did you give it? If you exceeded about 150 mg/kg for more than one dose then the prognosis is probably not good.

You are probably doing the best thing you can for it right now by giving fluids and trying to get the animal hydrated. It might not hurt to give some SC fluid, too. Don't feed it until it is well hydrated.

This is the reason that I am always saying in here "If you aren't sure of what you are doing, don't try it. Go to a vet." Thank you for having the courage to post this...maybe some others will take a lesson from your misfortune. These medications are serious stuff.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson