WLP getting tested for Inclusion body disease.

Antibiotics are also hard on the liver/kidneys so my vet recommends not feeding unless the snake is very underweight.

You may also want to pick up some NutriBAC - a probiotic for reptiles - to help re-establish good gut flora once the antibiotics are done.

The vet wanted to either have me bring him in weekly for tube feedings or do it myself at home, since he was still losing some weight from not eating, she said it was important to keep some nutrients in him during this time. I'll definitely ask her about it, since I don't want to do do anything to compromise his recovery

(I do have Nutribac on hand for post-abtibiotic care though, it's a must have for sure)

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Just an update, took him to the vet for a 3rd dose of Metronidazole with a feeding. They didn't tell me that the vet was on vacation this week, so I had a vet tech that couldn't answer my questions.

Little guy has lost more weight and is down to 125g from 141g three weeks ago. The loss has been steady. But he also isn't eating, so...

His stool from overnight had a bit of fresh blood in it, I brought it in for them to look at since this is the first time I've seen it. The vet tech was concerned that he wasn't showing improvement with eating and said it's possible the treatments aren't working.

I'm not really sure what expectations are realistic right now, considering this species and all the stress he's being put under, plus these meds he's on. But also whether or not I should be concerned that this isn't going in the right direction. Not sure what's "normal" here, since they're suggesting this is a losing battle based on him not eating and the weight loss, plus the fresh blood in the stool. But I have another appointment for him in a few weeks to reassess.

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Very sorry to hear you're not seeing improvements as hoped- & finding blood in the stool is concerning, for sure. Disappointing that the vet wasn't there either for your appointment. Getting a snake like this healthy is a gamble about which your vet has been warning you from the start, in case things don't work out. Vets all have different personalities- as much as we want- even need- to hear optimism, some don't want us to get our hopes too high. The truth is that it's a "wait & see" that could go either way. All you can do is the best you can & keep :please: and btw, I'll join you in that.

Throwing in some pictures I took after we got back from the vet. He looks like he's due for a shed, been a month since his last one.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0a58e92dda.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9d60df0ef9.jpg

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Well, he's still gorgeous, even with a little weight loss.

BTW, for anyone following this thread, here's a relevant quick bit about metronidazole: https://www.reptilesmagazine.com/pro...dazole-flagyl/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Very sorry to hear you're not seeing improvements as hoped- & finding blood in the stool is concerning, for sure. Disappointing that the vet wasn't there either for your appointment. Getting a snake like this healthy is a gamble about which your vet has been warning you from the start, in case things don't work out. Vets all have different personalities- as much as we want- even need- to hear optimism, some don't want us to get our hopes too high. The truth is that it's a "wait & see" that could go either way. All you can do is the best you can & keep :please: and btw, I'll join you in that.

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This particular stool looked odd, he's been going regularly and none of the others looked like this. I'm actually confused and naturally concerned, since there are some pointy bits sticking out of it, and also what looked to possibly be... little white worms.

He's on paper towels, so no chance of ingesting substrate. I gave it to the tech, but I'm pretty sure she just took a picture and tossed it. I took my own picture, but I don't want to be gross and post it here. [emoji28]


It was just a bit frustrating, because I was hoping to get some questions answered, the vet tech admitted she didn't know much about this stuff but was still the one I was working with today and suggesting the meds weren't working. Very nice lady, but I left with even more questions

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Nothing wrong with posting "gross pics" here, you won't be the first ;) and that's how everyone learns what you're dealing with- it may help them in the future if they see something similar.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Nothing wrong with posting "gross pics" here, you won't be the first ;) and that's how everyone learns what you're dealing with- it may help them in the future if they see something similar.

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I increased the brightness a tad, since the room is dark. But, here it ishttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5924ae6abc.jpg

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To me, that looks like that tiny bit of blood came from the irritation of expelling a little bit of debris* without more actual stool to push it along (*probably ingested from a prior meal- from before you got him), & I do see what appears to be at least one worm too, in with that lovely mucoid mess. (BTW, I think the mucus is "normal" all things considered- it's the body's way of self-protection.)

Out of curiosity, what dose of metronidazole is he on, anyway?