Hi Brian or others, question on RI...

[Jeremy]

Hey Brian,
Well, it seems Tiny now has a respitory infection and I was hopeing you could once again pass on the treatment that you used for PK. Everything from the meds you used (most important!)
to how much I should give (like 3mgs for every 1 pound of snake, yada yada yada).

Also, if you could elaborate alittle on how you caged her during the recoup and what you belive led to the problems I would be extreamly greatfull. I belive in Tiny's case, his cage wasnt ventilated well enough and may have been alittlke too cool for him ( I have now placed him in a screen top (for temporary) with alittl more heat getting to it). His symtoms arent what I would call bad yet but it seems he weezes alittle when disturbed and I saw him with his mouth cracked a few different times yesterday. Im setting up an appointment with a vet this week(ive got to take in a pinesnake which has a weird lump on her neck) and I was going to ask the doc to perscribe me some general antibiotics which would cover the problem. With that being said, what should I ask for? Unfortunately as is almost always the case, the vets in my area wont see venomous so im going to have to try and get them to perscribe me something without actually seeing the snake!!!

Well man, I apperciate any help you or anyone else can give on this matter.

Wish us lcuk,
Jeremy

[unBOAlievable]

Hey Jeremy,

I have never had to treat a cotton, well yet anyway. I have treated a lot of coppers and timbers though.

I personally do not like to crank the heat to much, I generally just give them an ambiant temp of around 80 with an 86 warm spot.

I have used baytril with good success but I do not remember the mgs, I am sure B.W. will have the mgs. I have also used amakacin but the downside is you have to administer a lot of fluid. I hope cottons aren't as bad as timbers about getting stomatitis with R.I. I would hate to have to clean tinys mouth out.
:eek:

My veterinarian does not work with vens. at his office because of insurance reasons but he will come out and help.;)

[The_Omen]

The baytril was what Brian used on PK.
Normally for baytril, it's 10 mg per kg of reptile, every 3 days until clear of RI. (using 22.7)
Some newer approaches that have had successes with baytril, is to give the full dose on the first treatment, then the follow up treatments are all 1/2 dose till clear.
Basically, do what is needed for the weight of the snake.
Catch box, pin, tube or whatever is YOUR preferred method of getting the snake in hand for an injection.
Give the injection(s) intramuscular in the upper 1/3rd of the body.

Baytril, as ALL antibiotics, is a dehydrating medicine, so keep plenty of fresh water in with the animal at all times, possibly using a mix of water & pedialyte.

[BWSmith]

Sorry to hear about Tiny. PK's RI was caused from the massive temp fluctuations during brumation this winter (if I can call cold weather every 2 weeks Winter).

I used 10mg/kg subcu for the first injection and 5 after that every 48 hours for 4 doses. It is a bit much, but she is a big snake and I was using smaller doses for followups. She made a great recovery. be sure to inject the Baytril in the upper 3rd of the body and to give a subcu injection. I also just double check to make sure that temps and humidity are right. I don't increase heat in the cage or drop humidity if the conditions are right. After all, when you got a cold as a kid, mom always brought in a humidifier.

Restraining him to give him the injection may be the tricky part. Can he even fit in a tube? Either way, definately a 2 man job. If he is too big for a tube, you may want to try a squeeze box. I know that you know what one is, but I will elaborate for those who dont. A squeeze box is basically a boxwith a clear plexi lid and a foam pad in it. You put the sanke on the foam and put the lid on. That pushes him into the foam and safely restrains him. You can also add holes to the top for giving injections. Just don't drill them with the snake inside ;)

Just be sure to ask our vet for a bottle, not just the injections. Baytril is a great thing to keep on hand. Keep us informed and be careful. If you were closer, I would lend a hand.

Oh, one last thing. Keep a very loose grip on the needle when injecting, they tend to thrash when it pokes through. Once they settle down, inject it very slowly. You will see a little bubble form under the skin, lightly massage it to dissipate the Baytril and then continue injecting.

[Jeremy]

Guys,
All I can say is wow! Thanks for all of the much needed info! I have already set the vet appointment for thursday and should be ready to administer the baytril that evning. Brian, im going to do as you suggested and see if I can get a bottle. Im sure it will happen again, some time down the road so its always best to be ready.

As for restraining him, whoa, now thats going to be a feat to behold! Im hopeing I can managed enough of the first third of his body into the largest tube I have to complete the injection but I fear I will have to restrain him. If that ends up being the case, I now need to find brave souls who are willing to help. Of cource yours trukly gets the real fun job of holding the head but I now need somone qualified to administer an ijection and someone willing to hold the last half of his big butt still. Luckly, I have a very good freind who is used to giveing subcu injections to his dog for diabetes so thats covered but now I need a holder. Mom sounds like a good canidate!:-) Just wish I could get someone t0o grab the head! Ah, I knew this day would come but boy have I been dreading it!! (BTW, I have pinned a few snakes in my day and feel comfortable doingf it but man, when your talking almost 6 ft of cottonmouth, the odds really stack up aginst you quick!!)

Anyway, again guys, thanks alot for all of the info. I will let everyone know how it goes on Friday.

BTW, BW, thanks for the bid to help out. Wish I was down closer to ya but not mainly for Tiny's benifit. VA is really starting to suck!!

All trhe best everyone,
Jeremy

[SCReptiles]

My big cotton fits about 12” into the 2” Midwest tube. That held him fine while we probed him and checked for parasites. Midwest now offers a set of 3 tubes for bigger snakes, I think they go up to about 4”. Baytril is all we ever use and I have been very happy with the results. None of our pit vipers have ever shown a RI, but we have brought imported balls back from the brink of death with the stuff.