Enflamed upper mouth on retic

[bstein54]

Just to update everyone, his swelling has decreased dramatically since moving him into the larger cage. I did however make another vet appointment which I had today and the vet did notice some signs of infection so he gave him a Baytril shot and also gave me Baytril that I will have to squirt down his throat, 2ml a day for 2 weeks, and then I will have a follow up appointment with the vet. Hopefully after these next couple weeks he will be cured and back to normal. The vet also told me that 77 degrees on my cold side was way to low and that it should be in the mid 80's... Any time the cold side temp has gotten to 80 degrees or more in any of my cages the snakes go crazy trying to get out. They seem completely content thermoregulating between the hot and cold side with the temperatures I have now of 76-77 degrees on the cold side and 91-93 on the hot. Do I need to raise my temperatures?

[MDT]

how did your vet "notice" infection? gram stain? culture? has your snake "acted sick"?

not saying the baytril is not needed, but there are way too many medical providers that too readily pull the antibiotic card when it's not needed.

we have a saying in medicine...don't treat the number, treat the patient. if your snakes are healthy (eating vigorously, digesting properly, deficating, drinking, shedding, good tone, etc.) you may already be doing the right things.

however, perhaps 77 is too low and they are sluggish because of a low temp. maybe temps in the 80's allows for a more "warmed" snake? it would seem there may be some more investigation needed?