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Accelerated growth with antibiotic use

Focal

Focal

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Long story short: I bought a 2010 about a few weeks ago that had an RI. She was vetted and was prescribed 0.1cc of Baytril (enrofloxcin) daily for 6 weeks ORALLY. It's probably been 2-3 weeks of daily treatment and she looks, acts and eats 1000% better.

Her growth, however, seems abnormally spiking with the treatments. I suspected the antibiotics may be contributing and after researching, came to the conclusion that anitbiotics can contribute to the growth rate of mammals, however, can lead to other complications down the road.

I have thought about pulling her off the medication since she seems to be doing really well and while I respect the vets decision, I have doubt that 6 weeks of treatment is what she needs. Of course this is just my opinion and acting upon it seems slim with the amount of education I have on the topic.

So I have had some random questions pop in my head:

Could this accelerated growth rate be healthy for a ball python? It's not just weight but length too.

I am assuming the guy I bought her from was either not feeding her or couldn't get her to eat. Could she just be playing catch-up on her weight now that she is eating?

Is six weeks of treatment neccessary? How likely is a relapse of RI? The reasoning behind this is the longer I have her on meds, the harder it would be to get her immune system back on track. She seems 100% healthy and I haven't noticed any signs of RI since after the first few days of treatment.

Can she become dependant on antibiotics and be in this cycle of future infections or illnesses?

Any experience or tips from anyone? It's not that I want to rush her off the meds, but I would rather not keep her on something that she doesn't need and let nature take it's course on her growth.

A lot of people believe that antibiotics are not the best route and natural methods are better for the snake. If this is the case, is there anything wrong with letting antibiotics fight the initial battle and let nature do the rest or is this an illness that the immune system is still learning from?

Thoughts/opinions?
 
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Are you sure it wasn't 6 "days"

With antibiotics its a good practice to treat until symptoms are gone. I then continue for 2-3 more days beyond that.

6 weeks would be unnecessary unless it took that long to clear the infection. I am will to bet at that point Kidneys would be shot.

What is the antibiotic? Baytril or Fortaz. If its going to be used that long Fortaz may be a better bet.

She cannot become Dependant but bacteria could become resistant to the antibiotics. Overuse is the biggest cause.

I think the growth you see is from her feeling better. The problem is gone so energy can go back into growing.
 
Yup. I'm pretty sure it's 6 weeks. Crap, I have enough Baytril to give it to her for probably a year at 0.1cc, lol. I thought it seemed a little long because even when I was taking antibiotics, it was for like two weeks. I'm sure humans are a little different, but maybe she's getting a smaller dosage because she was 183g at the check up :shrug01:

I'm glad I decided to ask!
 
Focal X said:
Yup. I'm pretty sure it's 6 weeks. Crap, I have enough Baytril to give it to her for probably a year at 0.1cc, lol. I thought it seemed a little long because even when I was taking antibiotics, it was for like two weeks. I'm sure humans are a little different, but maybe she's getting a smaller dosage because she was 183g at the check up :shrug01:

I'm glad I decided to ask!
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that reptiles have a slower metabolism and the meds half life (time it takes to drop by 50% in the body) is a little longer than a human so smaller doses are used.

The goal with most antibiotics is to slowly increase the level in the body to be affective against the bacteria being targeted. Then stop when the symptoms are gone and allow that level to drop until the antibiotics are out of the body. Sometimes it is continued a few days or maybe a week longer to make sure the infection does not have a chance to return.

1 drop or about .1cc per 100g seems about right. It all depends on how it was diluted. Maybe the smaller dose for a longer period is what the goal is.

I'm not a vet I just play one at home. :shrug01:
 
Thanks Ryan. I decided last night to stop her meds early since she seems to be doing so well but she will remain in quarantine for probably a few more months just to be safe. She has totally pulled a 180 and I think that's becasue I didn't screw around and got her on meds quick. I'll report back if anything changes.
 
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