Keeping Baytril on hand? - Page 2

Spaghetti · 05-22-12, 04:11 AM

I've only had one RI. I just wanted to ask, since the snakes that I will be keeping are prone to them.

infernalis · 05-22-12, 08:07 AM

surely covered already, it's not prudent to diagnose your own animals.

shaunyboy · 05-22-12, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

surely covered already, it's not prudent to diagnose your own animals.

^^^^^
i agree with you regards this thread Wayne

but for more experienced keepers,who have " access " to " good " lab facilitys,it's easy to take swabs and send them away to be cultured

heres a link to the type of place i'd use here in the uk,they send you out kits,that you use to take swabs

Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services Limited

cheers shaun

Will0W783 · 05-22-12, 08:52 AM

I personally can't stand Baytril. It's not effective against all the types of bacteria that commonly cause RI in snakes, and it can be very damaging to the skin if not injected properly. It is technically illegal to keep any prescription medication on hand without a prescription...however if your vet gives you a prescription for it you can order it from an online pharmacy. It will be very expensive though.

A much more cost-effective, safe and reliable medication to keep around is Tylan (Tylosin). This is a liquid antibiotic developed for cattle and livestock pneumonia. It can be bought at the Tractor Supply Company chain of stores without a prescription, and it could probably be found and most saddle/tack shops. I have a 250mL bottle of the Tylan-200 (200mg/mL) strength. It is given in a 50mg/kg dose, once every 3 days, injected intramuscular, until symptoms clear. Tylan is not as dehydrating as Amikacin, and it doesn't cause skin burns like Baytril does. It costs about $32 for the big 250mL bottle, and this will last you a long time.

Will0W783 · 05-22-12, 08:53 AM

Tylan 200, 250 mL, Elanco Cattle Treatment - 2205397 | Tractor Supply Company

mykee · 05-22-12, 08:59 AM

Again though, self-medicating will do no good. There is no such thing as a catch-all antibiotic. You NEED a culture/swab done.

hellosugaree · 05-22-12, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

surely covered already, it's not prudent to diagnose your own animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

Again though, self-medicating will do no good. There is no such thing as a catch-all antibiotic. You NEED a culture/swab done.

Amen. Preach on brothers!

Spaghetti · 05-22-12, 10:41 AM

Good to know, guys

Thanks for the advice! I will be sure to develop a close working relationship with my vet so that when/if issues do come up, it can get taken care of properly by that vet as quickly as possible.

Thanks for helping out a giant python newbie (well, relative newbie, haha)!

shaunyboy · 05-22-12, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

I personally can't stand Baytril. It's not effective against all the types of bacteria that commonly cause RI in snakes, and it can be very damaging to the skin if not injected properly.

^^^^^
when using baytril i preffer to use the ORAL version kimberly

i don't like injecting snakes,when there's an oral alternative

just my own personal way of doing things

i also would have swabs cultured,before i began treatment of any kind

cheers shaun

Will0W783 · 05-22-12, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mykee:Again though, self-medicating will do no good. There is no such thing as a catch-all antibiotic. You NEED a culture/swab done.

In some cases, yes, a culture is best. I have a microscope at home and can tell whether an infection is gram-positive or gram-negative. When I notice any signs that point to potential RI, I first raise temps and humidity for a week. If there are no signs of improvement, I use the Tylan. I am fortunate enough to have an excellent reptile vet who has shown me how the different bacteria look under light microscopy, and I've discussed with him the pros and cons of hitting RIs with a broad-spectrum antibiotic. If there is no improvement with the Tylan, I will call the vet and take the animal in. However, in most cases that I've come across, IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCED WITH INJECTING ANTIBIOTIC AND HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH TREATING SNAKES (very important, big IF)...then there is not always a reason to run to the vet and spend $100 every time one gets a sniffle.

Fortunately, I haven't had many issues in the way of RIs the last two years...my new setup and snake room location seems to be beneficial to the animals, but I know that I can handle it if I did have an issue.

I do see where Mykee is coming from, but I have to respectfully disagree that you ALWAYS need a culture. Most vets are going to prescribe Baytril without doing a culture anyway, but Amikacin and Tylan are wider-spectrum and less damaging to the snake. I personally rarely resort to a vet visit anymore. Also, my vet will not see venomous snakes, so I need to have medication on hand in the even that one of them fell ill. No vets that I am aware of will see venomous snakes because of the risk to them.

StudentoReptile · 05-22-12, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

I do see where Mykee is coming from, but I have to respectfully disagree that you ALWAYS need a culture. Most vets are going to prescribe Baytril without doing a culture anyway,

Ditto. This has been my experience as well.

hellosugaree · 05-22-12, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

In some cases, yes, a culture is best. I have a microscope at home and can tell whether an infection is gram-positive or gram-negative. ... I am fortunate enough to have an excellent reptile vet who has shown me how the different bacteria look under light microscopy ...

You do your own gram stain at home?