Are Antibiotics Safe For Reptiles?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Also, anaerobic infections are quite common (yet some of the most frequently used antibiotics in reptiles, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides, are not effective against anaerobes).

Antibiotics should not be used indiscriminately in reptiles because of the risk of creating antimicrobial resistant organisms

.

What antibiotics are safe for lizards?

Drug Dosage Azithromycin Ball python: 10 mg/kg, PO, every 3–7 days (3 days for skin infections, 5 days for respiratory tract, 7 days for liver and kidneys) Carbenicillin 200–400 mg/kg/day, IM Cephalexin 20–40 mg/kg, PO, bid Ceftazidime 20–40 mg/kg, SC, IM, IV, every 2–3 days

Can you give iguanas antibiotics?

They will likely be treated with

oral or injectable antibiotics

. If they are severe, the animal will have to be hospitalized for more aggressive therapy and support.

How do you treat an iguana infection?

Treatment. We have many treatment modalities depending on the cause of the problem and the extent of the infection.

Antibiotics

are used in most cases. They are especially beneficial when we have a culture report telling us the type of bacteria causing the problem and the appropriate antibiotic to use.

Is penicillin safe for reptiles?


Antibiotics should not be used indiscriminately in reptiles

because of the risk of creating antimicrobial resistant organisms. Combination therapy (i.e., aminoglycoside and an extended-spectrum penicillin) are often very effective in the treatment of retiles.

What antibiotics Can you give a tortoise?

Drug Dosage Ampicillin Most species: 10–20 mg/kg, SC, IM, 1–2 times/day Tortoises: 50 mg/kg, IM, bid Azithromycin Ball python: 10 mg/kg, PO, every 3–7 days (3 days for skin infections, 5 days for respiratory tract, 7 days for liver and kidneys) Carbenicillin 200–400 mg/kg/day, IM

Is flagyl an antibiotic?

Metronidazole is an

antibiotic

that is used to treat a wide variety of infections. It works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria and parasites. This antibiotic treats only certain bacterial and parasitic infections.

Do iguanas carry disease?

Like most other reptiles, iguanas

carry Salmonella in their intestinal tracts

, McDonough noted. The bacteria are “shed” periodically in the animals’ feces, and that’s how the bacteria gets on the animals’ skin, their cages and other materials they touch.

What does a sick iguana look like?

Respiratory infections or pneumonia can occur in animals that are stressed, improperly fed or kept in poor, cold or dirty conditions. You may see

sneezing

, nasal or ocular discharge, bubbles in the mouth, unnaturally rapid or shallow breathing, pulling or gasping for breath and lethargy.

How long do iguanas live for?

The lifespan of an iguana is on average

12-15 years

. When well-cared for, a healthy iguana can easily supercede that and live more than 20 years.

What antibiotics are used for snake bites?

There is little clinical evidence of the benefit of prophylactic antibiotics after snakebite [3-5] and the

routine use of antibiotics is not advocated except for cases of snakebite associated with complications or signs of infection

[6-9].

What’s considered an antibiotic?

Antibiotics are medicines that help stop infections caused by bacteria. They do this by killing the bacteria or by keeping them from copying themselves or reproducing. The word antibiotic means “against life.”

Any drug that kills germs in your body

is technically an antibiotic.

How do you give snakes antibiotics?

Drug Dosage Cephalexin 20–40 mg/kg, PO, bid Ceftazidime 20–40 mg/kg, SC, IM, IV, every 2–3 days Ceftiofur Tortoises: 2.2–4 mg/kg/day, IM Snakes: 2.2 mg/kg, IM, on alternate days Lizards: 5 mg/kg/day, IM, SC Cefuroxime 100 mg/kg/day, IM, for 10 days at 30°C

Can tortoises get infections?


Respiratory infections

are very common in tortoises. Upper respiratory infections are the most common, but lower respiratory infections (pneumonia) also occur. One of the most common causes of upper respiratory infections are Mycoplasma bacteria, though other bacteria and viruses may also be causes.

What is a home remedy for respiratory infection in turtles?

Sometimes, just increasing the temperature in the enclosure will make your turtle feel better until it can be seen by a vet. 2 Increasing the humidity is also helpful in loosening up any debris in your turtle’s respiratory tract, just like a

humidifier

or vaporizer helps you when you have a cold.

How do you know if your tortoise is dying?

Be on the lookout for common symptoms associated with illness in a tortoise, including runny nose,

labored breathing

, sunken eyes or swollen eyelids, loose stools, loss of appetite, listlessness, swollen body tissues, prominent bones (in head or limbs), soft shell, noticeable weight loss or gain in a short period of …

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.