boa update

[Groovethepocket]

Vet wants to put him to sleep to do tests on him *grumble* I managed to talk her into putting him on baytril for now to see if it could be bacterial.

She seems to think its either IBD, or maybe something happened to him-like something falling on him-but he's always been in a rubbermaid, with nothing that could fall on him! I don't get it.

I'll try this baytril for awhile and see if it works. I hope it does, but I think he's pretty well done for. *sigh* This is so depressing. I feel like I failed the little guy.

[Groovethepocket]

According to the paperwork she gave me, copies out of some reptile vet book,
Baytril has shown to be effective against some forms of reptile meningitis.

[Groovethepocket]

My vet said blood draws would not do much good for an IBD diagnosis. After a week is up on the baytril, I'm bringing him back in, and will more than likely just have him euthanized unless she has come up with some other test to do-normally when neurological problems begin to present themselves, the snakes never recover. Or at least that is what the general consensus amongst herpers who have dealt with similar situations is.

[CountFunkUla]

Just wondering how the little guy is getting on now ....?

[Groovethepocket]

I explained to her that since he's kept in a rubbermaid, there really isn't anything in his cage that could have fallen on him.

To test for IBD, she says that it is necessary to kill the snake to take good samples.

This vet has been good so far. I've hardly had a problem with Baytril-even the other vets close to me prescribe it.

[MrSiggler]

Could he have stuck his head out under the lid far enough to put pressure on his spine?

That sucks! I agree that you should call around. Ask another vet if they think they can do tests while he's still alive.

I've found that every vet can make mistakes. :-/ I'm not saying your vet is bad, but I've had great vets that missed details that might have saved an animal's life.

Again, good luck. I hope you can pull him through this!

[Warrior Kalia]

Just a couple of quick, dumb questions.....if the Boa was in a
Rubbermaid, is it a rack system that slides in and out, or is there a snap on lid? Either way, is it possible that the Boa could have climbed up at the last second as the box was being closed, and been pinched in the process? I have nearly done this in clear tanks with the "tough-top" screen lids. I'm sure it would be even easier in an opaque enclosure.
Especially if any distractions were present.
I doubt I have read all the posts on this, so this may have already been mentioned, or even discredited.

[bedidos]

Haven't you tried to hear another vet? If they ar too far, maybe an informative phonecall would do it also.

[freddyburg]

Did you get the second opinion yet or is that happening in another week?

Did the vet draw blood for a CBC? Take an xray? Get a fecal/cloacal wash/gastric lavage?

I would assume all those tests would be standard to try to eliminate possibilities BEFORE killing the poor thing. Heck, he may be able to live out his life and eat and everything in this goofy state.

[MIX]

He is being treated daily with baytril and tube-fed for right now. He has not shown any signs of improvement-however, he is not getting any worse. Its going to be at least another week before I know if I will have to have him euthanized for testing.

-cat