Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, there! I have managed to convince someone to to give me there red tail boa. I saw him on Thursday and near started to cry when I saw the state it was in. I raise and pythons, cornsnakes, and lizards but my experience with boas is very minimal. I still think I can do better for this guy, though, than the previous owner...

Just a little background... This is a gorgeous red tail boa and is a full grown adult. He is approximately 6 feet long but barely 20 pounds. I can clearly see his spine and know that he very dehydrated. However, my biggest concern is that he has a pretty bad respiratory infection.

I currently have him an a large rubbermaid with a kitty litter pan for a water bowl. I'm using a towel for substrate at this time to help with keeping the humidity. I mist the big guy daily with hot-warm water to help maintain the humidity at about 60%. We are using a CHE for the heat source and maintaining the heat at 92 degrees. I know that's on the high end, but I'm hoping it'll alleviate the respiratoy problem.

I have never had to deal with a respiratory problem before and feel a little out of my realm here. Is what I'm doing the BEST that I can do for him? I need to clear this respiratory problem up so I can get this guy to start eating before he just withers away. Please advise on what else I can do for him. I will NOT give up on him...

The best you can do is to get him to a vet for some antibiotics.

I agree.. get that guy to the vet and get some antiboitics... It will be about 100 bucks but it will be worth it in the end. I would be soaking him in the bath tub to help with the dehydration. Other than that the sooner you can get him to eat the better he will be. Im sure you will be able to pull him through and getting the heat up should help him alittle but the antiboiotics will be best.. Im glad you wont give up on him... I wouldnt give up on him either... he'll pull through

Sincerely,
Rose & Steve

Thank you for the info. I was planning on taking him tomorrow or tuesday. I just brought him home today and have not been able to touch bas with my vet. Would you be able to recommend any specific antibiotic?

I have had great success with Baytril. Your vet can recomend the dosage to be injected into the muscle area. Usualy clears up RI in 5 days.

I recently used Amikacin on my adult boa. I gave it one shot every three days for a total of about six shots. It worked great. I recommend it.
Good luck,
Eric