Vet Visit...

Alex · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 01:43 AM

Today I brought Mystic (retic) and Oduya (BTS) to the vet. Misty has some wheezing going on, and Odie has a medium-sized abscess on his lower left jaw.
Well, it's pretty much bad news all around. Misty has the start of a RI, and I have to give her Baytril by mouth every other day. This is my first time giving a snake any medication, and boy is it fun!
Anyways, Odie has to go into surgery on 11/11. The vet did an x-ray, and even though it's not a bone infection, he thinks it could get worse if we wait. The surgery will be upwards of $300, depending on how much of the anesthesia he needs. I'll be getting him later on in the day, though, unless there are complications. These next 2 weeks are going to be so nerve-wracking!
Has anybody else on here had an abscess removed from a lizard? Any advice?
As far as Misty goes, I'll be keeping you all updated on her progress!

John · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 02:17 AM

No advice or experience to offer. Just sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope they get well for you quickly.

VexalUntil · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 02:18 AM

I've removed abscess in a leopard gecko's head before, but not the mouth. It was mostly just scraping away the old dead tissue and covering it with silver something or another every few days.
Your vet told you get give your snake Baytril orally? That method seems different from what I'm used to seeing/hearing.

I've only given Baytril once and it was injected into the muscle of the spine alternating left and right every other day.

Alex · #4 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 04:51 AM

My vet asked me if I'd prefer oral or injection. She's a little feisty as is, so I figured I'd go with the "safer" bet of oral route. I feel more comfortable doing that (I know it's not the same, but I've given my cats oral medications lots of times). Now that you've brought up that the oral method, is that something that usually isn't used??

Stargazer · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 04:57 AM

Thanks for taking such good care of your animals. You are a good role model in the reptile community. Keep us posted.

VexalUntil · #6 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 05:01 AM

I don't think oral is a common application of Baytril, but I could be wrong... *shrugs* Someone else who's had more experience with medications will probably comment...

Alex · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008, 11:45 PM

So yesterday was Misty's 2nd dose of the Baytril. I think I'm starting to have a problem with her:: When I giver her the liquid, I take the popsicle stick out of her mouth, but the one side of her jaw stays unhinged slightly. This causes some of the medication to run out. Any suggestion on how to keep the med in her mouth completely??

skiploder · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdwsfreak88

So yesterday was Misty's 2nd dose of the Baytril. I think I'm starting to have a problem with her:: When I giver her the liquid, I take the popsicle stick out of her mouth, but the one side of her jaw stays unhinged slightly. This causes some of the medication to run out. Any suggestion on how to keep the med in her mouth completely??

The medication needs to go between the epiglottis and the back of the mouth. Using a catheter makes this process a lot easier.

It helps to break the doses down into smaller portions, ie: instead of one .4 ml dose, two .2 ml doses. This way there is less that can run out.

Also, after you administer the dosage, gently close the mouth and tilt the head back for about 10 seconds or so. Even with a small snake, it's a procedure that almost necessitates having a second set of hands......

How large is the snake and how large is the dosage?

skiploder · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VexalUntil

I don't think oral is a common application of Baytril, but I could be wrong... *shrugs* Someone else who's had more experience with medications will probably comment...

For animals with slower metabolisms, Bayer (the manufacturer) recommends sub-cutaneous injection.

dhonaker · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 04:13 PM

how old is that retic i wouldent give it any meds if it is just a start you can cure it bye droping the humidity and rasing the temps meds can be deadley to baby snakes

Alex · #11 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiploder

The medication needs to go between the epiglottis and the back of the mouth. Using a catheter makes this process a lot easier.
It helps to break the doses down into smaller portions, ie: instead of one .4 ml dose, two .2 ml doses. This way there is less that can run out.
Also, after you administer the dosage, gently close the mouth and tilt the head back for about 10 seconds or so. Even with a small snake, it's a procedure that almost necessitates having a second set of hands......
How large is the snake and how large is the dosage?

I'm using a 1mL syringe, and I'm getting it back into her mouth as far as I can. I think I'll try the 2 dose method to see if that helps. My boyfriend tries to help me by holding her while I administer the meds, but he's somewhat nervous with her size, so I try to do it as fast as possible. Misty is about 4.5' or so, and the dose is .35mL

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhonaker

how old is that retic i wouldent give it any meds if it is just a start you can cure it bye droping the humidity and rasing the temps meds can be deadley to baby snakes

She's 6-8 months old. I'm trying to raise the temps, but with her new enclosure, I'm having some problems. It's 4x2x2 melamine. Any way I can heat it other than a lamp??

dhonaker · #12 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 04:50 PM

kane heat mat or get a biger bulb witch is not good for humidity but you dont want humidity right now

-KB- · #13 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 05:20 PM

Order yourself a radient heat panel.

Stargazer · #14 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 05:37 PM

What kind of heat lamp are you using, and what is the wattage?

Alex · #15 (**permalink**) 11-02-2008, 01:58 AM

It's an Exo-terra glow-light something-or-other...but a clamp lamp that glows after the light turns off. Wattage is just a GE 75 for right now. Her Zoo Med Daylight 100w bulb was "mishandled" the other day by a certain little brother. She'll be getting a replacement on Monday, unless you have other suggestions?

John · #16 (**permalink**) 11-02-2008, 02:00 AM

I second the Radiant Heat Panel suggestion.

It would work great in a melamine enclosure and would not dry out the air.

Vinny · #17 (**permalink**) 11-02-2008, 02:34 AM

Im sure Odie's surgery will go well, and as for Misty try to raise the temp and drop the humidity as soon as possible. I have not had to deal with many RI's, but at any sign of one thats what i did and it went away. Usually a vet wont give you a medication at the first sign of a RI to my knoweldge, I was always told the meds are for some what more sever symptoms, But you can never be to careful. Goodluck with everything and with the care you give them im sure they will be fine.

Alex · #18 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 12:28 AM

I went to give Misty her medicine today, and I'm running into a slight problem: She's getting ready to shed. I had her out just to see if I could handle her, and she seemed a little more grouchy than usual. Should I hold off on giving her the meds, or just try my luck? I've increased the temp and decreased the humidity as of yesterday afternoon. I didn't hear much wheezing earlier today...

dhonaker · #19 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 01:42 AM

id hold off on the meds

Alex · #20 (**permalink**) 11-09-2008, 02:56 AM

Something else just dawned on me... Decreasing humidity=good for RI, bad for shed. UGH!!!!! Should I spray some shed-aid on her and keep the humidity low?

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