Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This post is actually a few questions. My small (16.5 g), female black milk is mouth breathing, wheezy, and has a saliva-like discharge coming from her mouth. I am sure she is in distress from some sort of respiratoy infection.

I have read other posts on the subject, but have not come to any conclusions. I want to go with an injectable cephalosporin, such as Fortaz.

Anyone know how to get this without going to the Vet?

Also, would like info. on the technique of injecting snakes. ie injection sites. needle size, and any other info on this medication.

Finally, any info on other treatments, or things to do when you have a snake with a RI, would be very welcome (humidity, heat etc)She's going to be a beauty, and I would just hate to see her go.She needs help Fast. Thanks, Jim

Go to the vet. Everything in your post indicates that is the best course of action.
1)open mouth breathing; this means it's bad. Bad enough where home remedies won't work.
2)prescription drugs are prescribed for a reason. There is just to much you need to know before giving medications and without a thorough medical background important factors may be missed
3)you indicated she's going to be a great snake and that you are very fond of it; so don't mess this up and seek proffesional help
4)a combo of 2 and 3 but if you are unfamiliar with how to give an injection than it is an indication that you are overstepping your boundaries. I'm not against owners giving injections but there is a certain course of action to take first, and that begins with a good vet/client relationship.

Your veterinarian will also suggest improving the husbandry. Don't ignore this advice because without it, any treatment will fail.

Good luck with your snake, and I hope it lives long and happily

>>Go to the vet. Everything in your post indicates that is the best course of action.
>>1)open mouth breathing; this means it's bad. Bad enough where home remedies won't work.
>>2)prescription drugs are prescribed for a reason. There is just to much you need to know before giving medications and without a thorough medical background important factors may be missed
>>3)you indicated she's going to be a great snake and that you are very fond of it; so don't mess this up and seek proffesional help
>>4)a combo of 2 and 3 but if you are unfamiliar with how to give an injection than it is an indication that you are overstepping your boundaries. I'm not against owners giving injections but there is a certain course of action to take first, and that begins with a good vet/client relationship.
>>
>>Your veterinarian will also suggest improving the husbandry. Don't ignore this advice because without it, any treatment will fail.
>>
>>Good luck with your snake, and I hope it lives long and happily
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"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Governor George W. Bush, Jr.

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

Hey,
Follow the mans advice. When there is an animals life at stake and we really truly care, there is no skimping on treatment and time, and money.
-Angel
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"Until we lose our self, there is no way of finding our self."
-Henry Miller.

OK, folks all I got so far is a couple of people telling me That I dont know what I'm doing, and no really helpful info, so please keep responding. FYI I used to be a licenced paramedic, and have given dozens of injections to humans; with some GOOD info I dont see why it cant be done on a snake. Jim

>>OK, folks all I got so far is a couple of people telling me That I dont know what I'm doing,

- That isn't what was stated at all.

and no really helpful info, so please keep responding. FYI I used to be a licenced paramedic, and have given dozens of injections to humans; with some GOOD info I dont see why it cant be done on a snake. Jim

- I don't think that anyone who believes in the ethics of medicine will relay this information, at least not on a public forum.

It was clearly stated that there are NO home remedies for RI, in fact you SHOULD have a culture performed to determine antibiotic sensitivies. As a former paramedic, I would hope that you would appreciate following protocol. I don't understand why you are resisting going to a vet so much. The longer you delay, the greater the chances of loosing the snake.
-----
"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Governor George W. Bush, Jr.

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

I know it sounds like where ganging up on you but a paramedic will get our point.

Yes, of course I understand the need for control of antibiotics. I have searched the web, and I am pieceing together the info I need. If your argument is that sensible, intelligent people should not talk about this subject matter in a public forum, because well-meaning, uninformed people might do foolish things, then I'm not sure I agree with that. I feel I should be able to discuss it on the web if I choose, and if other people do stupid things, that's their problem. Jim

>> and if other people do stupid things, that's their problem.

My personal concern lies solely in the welfare of the animal. I think it is unfair for the animal to suffer for the sake of someone's budget, transportation issues, or ego. It is NOT their problem, it's the sick animal's problem.

The bottom line is that your snake needs the attention of a veterinarian; there is no way around it.
-----
"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Governor George W. Bush, Jr.

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

As an animal health techologist or "animal nurse" I often am confronted by this issue myself, either by my own desires or by colleuges (I can never spell that word right). The fact is that no matter how much I research I am still not a replacement for a doctor. Research is great, knowledge is power, but it is the experience and expertise gained by following the steps to become a DVM or MD that allows them to see the whole picture when prescribing a treatment/drug.
I have taken great steps towards specializing in reptile medicine, but I still go the to DVM to get a "simple" prescription of Baytril or Amakacin or whatever.

Now that the horse is dead, I'll continue to beat it a little, but antibiotic resistance is not the only concern with it's usage (but that's the hotest topic, thus what you've found on the net). Concerning your animal's immediate condition, is it able to handle necrotizing Baytril? Nephrotoxic Aminoglycosides?All things that in the best interest of a pet a vet should be asking/answering.

As for you being able to decide whatever you want with what you do with your pets (not your wording but what I got from your last post), this is an area of under legislation in many areas. Practicing veterinary medicine is illegal in most areas under various forms of penalty. All pets are gaining rights to proper care and treatment and animal abuse laws are expanding all the time. Not opinion, but observation.