Reptile & Amphibian Forums

so my pastel het red axanthic ball python has been making some funny whistling and bubbling sounds when first picked up, i had not seen any discharge but was worried and took the snake to the vet. the vet said he did not believe the snake to have an upper respitory infection like i had presumed but he did think the snake had something going on with his sinuses. he prescribed baytril as a broad spectrum antibiotic.

my question i guess is how long does it take for the baytril to take effect and what should i do if the snake is not better after im done with the injections.

today i did see a small drop of discharge from one of his nostrils the other seems fine, it has been 2 days since the vet visit and he just got his second shot of baytril.

any advice or suggestions are welcome. also i have increased heat and humidity
adam jeffery
-----
" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

I'm uncertain why Baytril would have been given for a nondescript sinus problem. More often than not, it's simply dry or inflammed skin/mucous membranes pending a shed or resultant from a previous problem. The mucous expelled from the nostril leads towards more of an infectious problem; perhaps this was seen by the vet as well (?)

To answer your question; if the problem is going to be solved by the Baytril (ie, your husbandry is fine and the cause was a Baytril susceptable infection) then you should see noticeable improvement in the first week. Probably in the first few days. Still continue the prescription until finished. If no improvement after the first week, call the vet for further advice but don't stop the Baytril until told to do so.

Ian

thanks for the response. the snake is done with its course of treatment. the problem is still their. im currently looking for another more capable vet. im hoping i can get this licked but as time goes on i get more and more worried. i have snake people looking for good vets for me in the buffalo metro area which is around 1.5-2 hours away. thanks again
adam jeffery
-----
" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.