Nose Rubs:

For nose rubs use some antibiotic ointments and put it on the snake's nose. You should do this one time every day for about a week.

Polysporin and Neosporin are what I have use for my snakes to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.  I like Polysporin  over Neosporin because Polysporin does not contain Neomycin Sulfate, whereas Neosporin does. My Vet said NOT to use Neosporin Plus  because they have added a pain killer to it. This pain killer can be harmful to your snake.

I have also used Povidone Iodine Topical Gel antiseptic cleaner that contains 10% Povidone-Iodine.  For the treatment of infection in minor burns, cuts and abrasions. this product will kill bacteria and viruses very quick. But it will stain the skin of the snake and anything you put it on. The stain will come off of your snake after it has shed.

You can also use Glycerin on the snake's nose to help it shed. Just before the snake's next shed rub the Glycerin on it's nose two time a day until the snake sheds.


Mouth Rot:

If you can't get to the Vet for a few days here is what you can do before you can get in to see the Vet. You should clean out the mouth best you can and you will have to remove any dead tissue with a twisters. After you have removed the dead tissue put some Povidone Iodine Topical Gel in the mouth with a Q-Tip. Ask your Vet if he can give your snake a shot of Amikacin Sulfate 50 mg per ml. or Tylan 50 or Tylan 200. Your Vet should know the dosage for these meds.

Mouth Rot (Infectious Ulcerative Stomatitis) is a bacterial infection that invades the mouth area. It can prevent the mouth from closing properly and cause difficulty in breathing. Signs of mouth rot include salivation and bleeding, pus pockets, and distortion of the mouth. The oral lining becomes inflamed and pus can appear in the mouth. Bad cases left untreated can rot the gums, teeth, and jawbone, and eventually cause death. Dirty enclosures, screen tops, rough substrate and other objects act as irritants to the mouth rot and should be removed. Immediately raise the ambient temperature of the enclosure to 88 to 90 degrees. Clean mouth area with a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide/water solution for the first treatment then use the Povidone Iodine Topical Gel antiseptic cleaner for all other treatments. Repeat this process twice a day. You may also treat the external mouth area with Polysporin or Neosporin to the affected area twice a day. Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. The picture to the right is of a boa with a bad case of mouth rot and a Respiratory Infection.


Meds for snakes Respiratory Infection (RI) or any type of Infections:

RI are caused by a bacterial infection in the lungs. The general causes of RI are due to inadequate and improper environmental conditions. Stress, low temperatures, dirty enclosures, mistreatment, lack of food and water can all cause RI. These conditions will surely prolong any RI condition. Symptoms include breathing problems including wheezing, whistling, clicking sounds, gaping open mouth, even an audible noise during exhalations. You will notice bubbles and mucous around the mouth and nostrils. The position of the head may be held in a raised position to make breathing easier. Overall lethargy, possible weight loss, and even a swollen or bloated body can be noticed.  Immediately raise the ambient temperature of the enclosure to 88 to 92 degrees. Lowering the humidity will also help in the recovery of an RI problem. Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Antibiotic medication may be needed for bad RI problems.

I am not a Vet nor a Vet Tec or licensed in anyway to give meds I am only retelling what has worked for me. Always get your Vets opinion first before using any medications! There is no substitute for a qualified reptile Vet. All meds should be injected in the first 1/4 of the snakes body just under the skin in the muscle just off to the side of the back bone / spine. Don't inject it in to the spine as this could kill your snake.


Tylan:
You can buy Tylan at any Tractor supply store or farm animal supply store. It is used for cattle and pigs. You can give this by injections or orally. This med is farley safe and you don't have to worry about over dosing your snake.

When I use Tylan 50 I give .4cc / ml. for every 1 lbs of snake. I give one injection every 3 days for a total of 3 injections.

When I use Tylan 200 I give .2cc / ml. for every 1 lbs of snake. I give one injection every 3 days for a total of 3 injections.

With both Tylan 50 and 200 give 3 injection total then stop giving meds. If RI is still present after 5 or 7 day of the third  injection then repeat for one more
treatment.

I had one boa that had a bad RI and I up the dosage to 1 ml. of Tylan 50 every day for 6 days. I even injected 2 ml. of Tylan into the rat the boa ate. (the rat was frozen thawed) The boa weighed about 12 lbs. I have to inject this boa as he always spits up the Tylan if I give it to him orally.


Amikacin:
You will need a prescription to buy this med from your Vet. Amikacin is a very strong med and it will kill your snake if you give it the wrong dose. Also make sure your snake has a lot of fresh water as this med will make the snake drink lots of water. Amikacin is very hard on the snakes kidneys and will damage them if given in the wrong dose or injected in the last half of the snakes body.

When I use Amikacin  50 ml I give .04cc / ml. for every 1 lbs of snake. I give one injection every 3 days for a total of 3 injections.

With Amikacin give 3 injection total then stop giving meds. If RI is still present after 5 or 7 day of the third injection then repeat for one more treatment and take your snake to the Vet.

Here is a good Vet in North west Indiana.

Dr. LARRY REED
WESTCHESTER ANIMAL CLINIC
55E.US 20
PORTER IN.46304
219-926-1194

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