Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can Gentamicin be used on a snake?

Thanks.

Thinking about a snake's eye, doesn't seem like anything topical is going to help. Seems like he may need systemic antibiotics, but I do not have access to a herp vet. Just hoping for ideas. It will mean a 300 mile round trip to take him to the vet. (And a full day off work.) Any suggestions 'till then?

If a problem is large enough where medications are required then a visit to a vet is the way to go. It sucks that you'd have to sacrifice a day off work, but that's the way things go sometimes. Are there closer vets that are willing to see snakes? For many problems this is suffecient if the vet is the type to discuss cases with colleugues and use such references as the veterinary information network (www.vin.com).

As far as your original question goes, yes gentamicin is sometimes used in snakes, however there is some concern as to toxicity. Proper dosaging should be used, and only with veterinary consultation (for details to long to list here). If you think it may be serious enough to maybe need systemic Ab's then the herp vet is the only way to go.

Consider www.arav.com and under it's links; herpvetconnect.com to possibly find a closer herp vet.

In the mean time, what could have caused the eye infection? Trauma? Rodent bite? Abrasion? Also reassess and improve your husbandry as if it is not part of the cause, perfection of husbandry is always part of the cure.

Good luck with your snake

Thanks. I have no idea what may have caused this. I don't recall her ever retaining an eyecap, I feed only f/t rats, and I keep a good eye on my temps and humidity. The only thing that I can figure is that perhaps a splinter of substrate may have gotten back in her eye. I am using aspen shavings right now, although I think that is going to change soon.

As you can see from my above post, I found a local vet who is willing to work with me. I took a snake to her before who was eggbound she exrayed the snake and told me there were no more eggs. The next day the snake layed 8 more eggs. But, hey, at least she tried. And the thing is, it turns out she was terribly afraid of snakes, and had me handle her until she was anesthetised. The fact that she is willing to help me anyway means a lot. That and the fact that she will openly admit that she knows little about herps, and wants to learn anyway.

My last vet insisted that he knew anything and got angry when I questioned him. He also killed off many of my snakes thru his ignorance.

Anyway, we are off to see her today. I will recomend www.vin.com to her, if she doesn't already know about it.Thanks!!