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courtney2008 Oct 10, 2010 02:53 PM

i believe my blood python and possibly my ball python have respiratory infections, weezing/heavy breathing... What is the best way to treat this? Ive heard by injecting their food with tetrocycline, does anyone know the proper dosing for this?

Replies (2)

joeysgreen Oct 10, 2010 03:17 PM

I wouldn't go there. Tetracycline isn't usually the best option for respiratory infections. You're likely to just end up creating resistant bacteria.

The first thing you need to do is find review your husbandry. This is usually the cause of RI's and a cure won't be found until it's corrected. Is there a new breeze in the room? Failed heat tape? etc.

Then, bump up the temp's 5 or so degrees (or more) to include the higher ends of the optimal gradient. For python's, a 100F hot spot with 85F cool spot should work, but verify this advice doesn't contradict general care. I havn't ever kept bloods before. Nevertheless, the goal is to be certain that your ill snake can behavioraly cause a fever to combat the problem.

If you don't see significant improvement in the next week, or it gets worse, see the vet.

Ian

Sonya Oct 10, 2010 05:40 PM

>>i believe my blood python and possibly my ball python have respiratory infections, weezing/heavy breathing... What is the best way to treat this? Ive heard by injecting their food with tetrocycline, does anyone know the proper dosing for this?

As Ian has said, review your husbandry. Besides raising temps raise humidity! Most people with BPs and Blood do not give them enough humidity and that is why they get sick. (and often shed in bits. ) Give each a big humid hide of soaked long fiber spaghnum moss....orchid moss. Once they get healthy leave the hide in with them always and keep it damp.

Try improving the conditions and find a vet.
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Sonya

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