strange lump in chest area?

[Starbuck]

From my days in small animal, we used tylan powder for gut issues, but it is notoriously bitter, so I wouldn't count on the rat drinking it on its own, I would dose it with a small dropper and then be sure to provide fresh water. May be a different type of tylan product though.

I agree with willow that oral antibiotics are not typically my first choice. Did the vet do a needle agitate our culture to determine susceptibility? I've found that injectables are actually very easy and low stress tip administer. Good luck, and I'm glad to see she is doing better.


I would also add that reptilian abscesses unless caught very early can be very difficult to treat with antibiotics alone, though on the plus side they don't seem to go systemic as readily as mammals, and seem to be slow progressing and painful. I would keep a close eye in the future to make sure it doesn't resurface.

[Sharlynn93]

Our vet isn't a reptile specialist, but she is a new vet who has treated snakes in her previous place of employment. No culture, but as I said before, the lump was kind of solid so a culture would have been difficult since she was so aggressive that day...she responded well so far, but I bought the tylan and syringes for a backup in case this round doesn't work...and I will definitely be doing very regular inspections to make sure it does not resurface since I know I didn't catch this one early given her history, when she gets moody I give her time, and I guess I shouldn't have this time...I feel terrible but I thought she was just p*ssy because of the new enclosure and my job change resulting in less attention....(she seemed to "enjoy" her out of tank climbing and roaming time)...

[Will0W783]

You're doing all that you can; snakes do not tend to show any signs of illness until it's pretty bad, so don't feel badly that you didn't catch it sooner.
Snakes can get "moody" because of many things; it's likely a new cage and a change in handling schedule also contributed. I don't bother snakes when they are moody either; it's not worth being bitten.

[Sharlynn93]

thanks, willow...I have been beating myself up about this... :'(

[Will0W783]

I know it's hard, but don't beat yourself up. You got her to the vet as soon as you noticed, and she's getting better. I've had snakes suddenly go from looking perfect to looking really really sick almost overnight. I'm just really glad for you that it was only an abscess.

[Snakesitter]

^^ Agreed! You are doing well by her!

[Sharlynn93]

Thanks, guys

[Sharlynn93]

update...after a FULL shed, in 2 segments (i'm assuming it is could be from being so swollen at the middle section that it separated)...Iris has NO signs of having any bit of a lump..no sign of aggression like she was having...still no appetite, but considering we put her in a huge enclosure just as she was getting ill, then went into shed, we will see how she does in a day or two...I do have a backup of a round of tylan if the lump seems to reappear...she was a complete sweetheart like she always was this morning...i feel terrible we didn't get the full round of baytril into her, but wrestling her in full blue, feeling aggressive, while acclimating to a new enclosure seemed a bit too much at 1 time...will be monitoring her daily to watch for any signs of the lump reappearing...then will go with the injections...orals are a terrible way to go with snakes in blue...did it the first time around with her, but she was just super aggressive this time...i was afraid of tearing her skin

[formica]

how many doses did she miss? its really important to give her all the doses, if it hasnt been long since the last one then I would discuss the issue with her Vet, to see if more doses would be appropriate, you'll get the hang of injections pretty quickly, a towel is a simple way to get it done quickly

[Sharlynn93]

She missed 2...its been about 5 days...we were discussing just starting a whole new regimen of meds to make sure it is completely knocked out of her system.

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by Sharlynn93

thanks, willow...I have been beating myself up about this... :'(

an abscess can appear really quickly,so i wouldn't beat yourself up pal

also as Kimberley said,snakes can go from a picture of health to really ill overnight

glad it's something treatable


cheers shaun

[Snakesitter]

I agree with Formica. However, five days is just long enough finishing might not work. I'd see what your vet says -- but you are doing a great job by already having a second round ready to go. Well done, and so glad to hear she is feeling better!!!

[Snakesitter]

Any more news?

[Sharlynn93]

She seems to be back to normal after round 2..no signs of the lump, no further aggression, etc...only change is, we cannot get her to take a rat no matter what we do...tried scenting, everything...but she pounds down mice no problem... :/

[Will0W783]

Congratulations! I'm so glad she recovered.