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Treating a gravid boa

mxracer4life

mxracer4life

"Daniel Boone"
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I have an adult female that went through her winter cool down with no issues, but as soon as the male was done with her after temps were raised, I started noticing a slight wheeze in her breathing. I have dealt with RI's in the past, but never with a female that has already ovulated. I have raised my cage temps for her and I have not seen any improvement. I hate to have to bring this here, but in all my years of breeding boas I have never experienced a problem like this. I know what most of your recommendations will be, but what I am looking more for is the reason for your answer. Do you treat a female in this situation and worry more for her health or the health of the babies? I usually use Tylosin for minor RI's and I know in some instances it is safer, but still a risk with a gravid boa. She is one of my favorites and I am prepared to take her to the vet, but before doing so would like some advise from my fellow herpers here. Thank you.
 
If increasing her temps does not improve her condition, you need to treat her/get her to a vet. Mom is more important than the unborn babies at this point, especially since there is no guarantee of birth, survival, etc. etc.

Good luck with her.
 
ShadowAceD said:
Mom is more important than the unborn babies at this point, especially since there is no guarantee of birth, survival, etc. etc.
Click to expand...

I kinda feel the same way about her being more important, but she is due in about a month. I generally administer Tylan, do you feel this would be safer than Baytril? I have had great luck with non-gravid boas when dealing with an RI and going with Tylan, but Baytril I know is a little bit better, but riskier.
 
People seem to be at odds on using anti-biotics on a gravid animal. Some think it will not matter, others do. When I last spoke to my vet. about it, she said it is 50/50. Baby boas are not actually attached to their mothers, so I believe that alone is less risk.

As for the type to use, just because Baytril is so much more potent, I'd try the Tylan, especially if she is not showing really severe RI symptoms. She is already stressed from being gravid and having to put a lot of energy towards that.

When did she start showing the symptoms?
 
ShadowAceD said:
When did she start showing the symptoms?
Click to expand...

I regularly check on them and first noticed a difference in her about a month ago. That is when I noticed her wheezing a little. At this time she did not elevate the head, have bubbles coming out the nose or mouth or show any other signs of an RI, which is why I started by raising her temps. About 2 weeks ago, I got her out and examined her and she seemed to be doing much better. This was until last night, I noticed she is now showing an excessive build up of saliva/mucous and this is what got me worried.
 
If it doesn't look like she is responding to the meds in a few days, I'd call a vet. I know it's hard to convince them to these days, but if you could find one willing to make a home visit that'd be best.
 
I have always given Tylan in dosages every 2-3 days. Do you think given the situation I should give it to her daily? I don't believe 3 days with 1 injection will show much of a difference.
 
I'd be more aggressive with it. I know when I've had to put animals on Baytril it was daily injections and that anti-biotic is more potent.
 
ShadowAceD said:
I'd be more aggressive with it. I know when I've had to put animals on Baytril it was daily injections and that anti-biotic is more potent.
Click to expand...

I have been more aggressive with it in the past, but just not with a gravid boa. I am super nervous when dealing with meds and prego boas. Thanks for the help and re-assurance Diem.
 
I hope she makes it okay, Jeremy.

I have never personally dealt with a gravid boa having a RI, but I have spoken to my vet. about it on a few occassions. Like I said, the babies are not attached to the mother, so there should not be major risk to them, but if mom cannot stay healthy enough to give birth, the process may kill her or she'll prematurely drop the litter in an attempt at self preservation.

At this point, I would say just trying to save mom is more important.

Keep us updated. :-/

P.S. Which girl is it?
 
Snakesitter said:
Good luck, Jeremy. I lost my favorite female while gravid last year, and would hate to see if happen to anyone else. Fingers crossed for you!
Click to expand...

Thanks Cliff. It's been a long time since I have had to deal with this. I did loose a gravid female a couple years back but it was from a different cause.
 
First injection was given last night at 6:00 pm. During injection she seemed very lethargic and not her self. I left her be until bed time, about 11:00 and she was noticeable better. She was cruising the cage and getting her a big drink. Big sigh of relief for me! I know its going to take some time for her to snap out of this but to see her getting better in just the first injection gave me lots of hope. Thank you everyone for standing behind me!
 
mxracer4life said:
First injection was given last night at 6:00 pm. During injection she seemed very lethargic and not her self. I left her be until bed time, about 11:00 and she was noticeable better. She was cruising the cage and getting her a big drink. Big sigh of relief for me! I know its going to take some time for her to snap out of this but to see her getting better in just the first injection gave me lots of hope. Thank you everyone for standing behind me!
Click to expand...

Good to hear, Jeremy.
 
I wouldn't dose an animal before allowing more natural treatments to afford the animal to recover on its own.
Granted meds do work for several cases,long term payout isn't so good on the life longevity scale.Everything "foreign" added to "living" ultimately takes the clock back wards on the life dial.

Give her another round and then let it ride acouple weeks,jack the temps to ambient 95+
and let her do what she can on her own for a few weeks.
 
You mentioned wheezing. Are there any other signs? Is her gum color normal? Have you checked? Is she blowing bubbles? Any excess mucous?

Wheezing does not an RI make. Many things can cause this. I would not administer meds, until an RI is confirmed.
 
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