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It is all speculation but I think it's what killed my female Suri. That's all I can think that killed her. I am wishing that I would have saved her and had a necropsy performed. She was with a male a month and a half ago and I wanted to see if she had anything in her. This is what I found. Your thoughts and questions are welcomed. I am definitely bummed out after having a great weekend away only to come back to a dead Boa, who I thought was pulling through and getting better, not too mention possibly gravid.

I wish I could have opened her up, but I don't see any indication that the fortaz is to blame. Of course, I'm assuming that it was given under vet supervision right?

A further display of organs would be necessary to give more of an opinion, the fat pads are covering most. How long was this snake dead prior to being found?

Yes the Vet recommended it. Never heard of Fortaz before and I didn't question the Docs advice. I am going to guess that she was dead that long maybe an hour or two. She seemed pretty fresh when I got home.

Not that it was necessarily the cause, but even though cephalosporin antibiotics are relatively safe, you can overdose with them. Also, how many days after you started the injections did you find the boa dead?

Kelly

It was 2 weeks after starting. The injections were adminstered by myself, however they were pre-drawn by the Vet. and kept frozen. I did leave the last injection out a few hours in my snake room but I don't think that would have anything to do it. I believe the injections were 40 mg. She was 17lb closer to 18 last time I weighed her.

If the dosage was 40 mg/kg of Fortaz, then this was an overdose, but if the total dosage was 40 mg, then this snake was under dosed by a considerable amount. The proper total dosage for a boa of this weight would be 150 mg given every 48 to 72 hours for 5 or 6 times. You didn’t say how long you waited between doses, but if it was much less than 48 hours, that could cause problems even with the proper amount. With Fortaz, the frequency of injections is probably more critical than the dosage in milligrams, as long as it isn't too out of line.

Kelly

I am pretty sure the dosage was coorect as the Vet had drawn them up herself. I can't tell you off the top of my head as she had finished all the doses with the last injection and I had thrown all the syringes out. I waited 72 hours in between doses as instructed over a period of 2 weeks. I definitely have learned to take better records, especially when it comes to meds and behavior as well. I took the last dose out of the freezer but left it accidentally in my warm snakeroom for 4 hours. Do you think that would make a difference? Or is it frozen just to preserve the Fortaz?

Room temp. for that short of time probably would not have caused any problems.

Brett,
I have treated stomatitis in a similar situation. The female developed it during a breeding trial. She seems fine now and is putting on weight. I have also used Fortaz for respiratory infection with good results. Sorry to learn of your loss and I wish I could shed more light on your situation.
gray

Thanks Gray.....She seemed to be getting better with frequent mouth rinsings and the anti-biotics but I am wondering if she really needed the anti-biotics? She ended up getting the Stomatis from striking the glass. She jammed a few teeth in her gums and poof a little less than a month later I noticed her mouth just wasn't right. It really sucks to have to learn this way but I also feel like I am only learning with speculation not having a necropsy performed. The puzzle won't be solved without all the pieces.

If it's any consolation, you did the right thing taking your snake to the vet (ab's are necessary with stomatitis), and the death was pretty much out of your hands.

As you mentioned, if anything could have been learned from this, it is that record keeping sure helps down the road. Necropsies are also priceless when dealing with pet animals and unexpected deaths.
Ian