strange lump in chest area?

[Will0W783]

You're very welcome Shar. I understand what you mean, I get very attached to all my snakes too, even the deadly ones. Learning how to administer antibiotics is a very useful skill for any snake owner.

P.S. If the oral antibiotics don't fix the problem (I'm not a fan of oral meds for snakes; they have too strong a digestive system and degrade most of the medicine before it gets into the bloodstream), you can purchase Tylan from any Tractor Supply Company.

Tylan is a great, broad-spectrum, injectable antibiotic marketed for cattle. However, it works wonders in snakes as well. It's one of the very few that is effective against mycoplasm bacteria, does not have the tissue burning of Baytril or the dehydrating effects of Amikacin, and is very well tolerated. I keep bottles of both strengths (250mg/mL and 50mg/mL) on hand at all times.

It costs between $15-32/bottle and the dosage for snakes is 50-100mg/kg. I usually go with 100mg/kg. You inject using an insulin syringe (available over the counter in most states now or order from your vet) at a shallow 45 degree angle into the FIRST third of the body. Feel for the spine, then move halfway down the side of the snake's body, get the needle between scales and inject. You give Tylan every other day for 4-5 doses.

[Sharlynn93]

That is great to know, willow! Thanks! I wonder if that stuff would work for my rat..judging from research I think she has that pneumonia..I lost my hairless to it last week...

[formica]

antibiotics should be prescribed only when needed, the misuse of antibiotics speeds up the evolution and spread of resistant bacteria, infections should be confirmed by a professional or you may do more harm than good

[Sharlynn93]

gotcha...okie dokie...just hate to lose her, she has such a sweet personality...but I'm not spending $200 for a $5 rat...

[Terranaut]

Originally Posted by formica

antibiotics should be prescribed only when needed, the misuse of antibiotics speeds up the evolution and spread of resistant bacteria, infections should be confirmed by a professional or you may do more harm than good

Not using antibiotics until the bacteria is dead is the misuse your talking about. This does not apply if you use it long enough to kill the infection. It's when people stop part way through treatment that there is an issue. Taking an antibiotic that was not necessary is only bad for the host. It kills good bacteria as well. As long as you use it for the proper duration no harm will befall mankind.

[Will0W783]

Originally posted by Formica: antibiotics should be prescribed only when needed, the misuse of antibiotics speeds up the evolution and spread of resistant bacteria, infections should be confirmed by a professional or you may do more harm than good

I do not advocate rampant unwarranted use of antibiotics, and never said that I did. In this case, the vet confirmed abscesses. In my case, I keep mainly venomous- good luck finding a veterinarian who will see a venomous snake. Therefore, I have become skilled in identifying infections and knowing when to treat them.

A good practice when dealing with RIs:
1. Make sure the snake is not going into shed. Some snakes look/sound like crap when in shed.
2. Bump up heat and humidity for 5 days. If the animal improves, don't give drugs
3. If the heat/humidity bump does not improve the snake, or if it gets worse, begin treatment.

Other cases need to be dealt with on an individual basis. For lumps such as the OP's snake has, a vet visit is in order. Lumps on a hot would have to be monitored if it can't be x-rayed.

I'm sure bacteria in snakes can become antibiotic resistant, and therefore giving antibiotics too often or too soon could result in the snake not being able to be treated easily later if it gets another infection. This is true for any species. Snake infections can usually be identified pretty easily by experienced keepers however.

I only brought up the Tylan here because the OP has a snake with a confirmed bacterial infection that its body has walled off into abscesses. Treating with injectable Tylan if the oral Baytril does not work would be warranted here.

[Sharlynn93]

btw..I bought a plastic face shield to protect my face while trying to administer these dang oral drugs! LOL...piercings are fine, but if I get one I want it to be by a pro, not a pet!

[Will0W783]

Good idea Sharlynn; snake-administered piercings are not fun!

[Sharlynn93]

especially in YOUR household! LOL

[Snakesitter]

Glad to hear the visit went smoothly (except for the doctor's fingers), and that it is a treatable condition. Your plan sounds good. Here's to a hopefully quick recovery!!!

[Snakesitter]

Great post!

[Snakesitter]

I agree 100%. I'll lecture peole I know about finishing their full course of meds because of this. ;-)

[Sharlynn93]

just a quick update, dosing actually went well last night...no signs of aggression, whatsoever..(I really think she hates daytime hours...) oral antibiotics are definitely a 2 person job, though...thank GOODNESS my wonderful husband was able to help me! her lump has already diminished in size so much that we had to actually look for it...hoping the next week goes as well as last night...her belly is looking quite pink again so she is apparently going into shed...but she was full blue when she had her RI and we were able to dose, so hoping for the best! really excited that she didn't freak out like she did at the vets, and the day before...maybe the pain killers are helping her relax...all I know is I think I will finally be able to sleep today, now that i know she seems to be feeling better...its been a killer week for me I'm such a worry wart, I know...but she has come so far, I want her to be with me for a long time....hoping she can eat next week...I felt bad feeding the others, again, and skipping her....

[EL Ziggy]

Hang in there Shar, sounds like she's coming around.

[sharthun]

Great news! maybe you and the hubby could use some pain killers!