Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python is acting strange...i had to give medicine orally, but that ended on april 10, sine then he has only eaten once, not even enough to fill him, that was last monday. for the last two weeks, his fecies has not been solid. and just today when i picked him up he started shaking every now and then. but it wa scary. he even sits on the cool end of the terrarium, and when i pick him up hes cold. what is going on? i havent been able to take some of his poop to the vet to see if his pin worms are gone (that was what the medecine was for). any suggestions?

Dylan

What medications were you giving him?
Sounds like you snake might be having problems due to complications with the medication. How old is it?

Your best bet is to call your vet right away and talk to him regarding the problems your snake is having and the medication. Also make sure your snake is getting enough water, which will help with the metabolism of medication. A warm bath might help keep hydration levels up, but make sure your snake has full control of his motor skills before putting him in the water (you don't want to drown it).

...most commonly used worming agents have a wide margin of safety...it could be what is known as an idiosyncratic reaction, ie an unusual reaction to a drug, but unlikely...it sounds more like something else is going on...not enough info to go on...

...the cool-seeking behavior suggests a too hot warm end of cage...this needs to be checked...

...having fed upon even a small meal a week or so ago is a good sign...be patient...try a fresh-killed food item at night...

...some more info would be helpful...

Scott J. Michaels DVM RPh
Serpent City

Really, how come I have heard about 50 people complain about normal doses of flagyl causing weird reactions like the ones described. Also the safe margin for ivermectin (which is rarely given orally, and hopefully rarely given to balls at all) is very small. Even mild overdoses can cause serious neurological problems.

Without knowing what medications were given, you should probably not post what you did. I do not know any DVM that would post about such a potentail problem without seeing the animal and knowing the medication record.

np

vet. LOL! Some people (shaking my head).
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

...np

>>...np
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles