Baytril

[draetish]

I was wondering what length of time a cham should be on Baytril? Lola's had this spot on her flap and the vet said it was a Systemic Bacterial Infection. She was on Baytril for 10 days .1cc and on the follow up the vet said to put her back on it. I trust the vet but skeptical about Baytril for a long period of time. Here are pics.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/fungus-flap-33187/

 

[luevelvet]

How much does she weigh? Normally 10 days is enough and if you don't see any improvement what-so-ever, I would have the Vet take a sample to culture and see what it could be. If it's bacterial, it should have reacted to the meds in one way or another, but if it's fungal Baytril won't do much to clear it up.

Luis

 

[draetish]

She weighs 336g. If it is not getting worse or spreading would you just let it go? I ordered some Grapefruit See Extract as melleri discovery recommends that for fungus. I haven't received it yet.

 

[KShook]

Hey,

I work at a Vet Office, Baytril is just an Antibiotic, it wont harm the cham if it's on it for to long, if anything it'll help him/her to fight off the infection and keeping it away...But if you were kind of skeptical about it you should call or ask your vet about it so you feel 100% okay with giving it to him/her.

 

[Todnedo]

You should ask your vet for some silvidine cream.

 

[draetish]

You should ask your vet for some silvidine cream.

I know it is used for burns, but is it also good for bacterial infections?

 

[kinyonga]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_sulfadiazine
"It prevents the growth of a wide array of bacteria, as well as yeast, on the damaged skin."

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy Donna,

10 days is a common treatment period with Baytril or other typical antibiotics. I've known of treatments prescribed to last 30+ days to fight bone infections in chameleons. Any treatment period shorter than 10 days risks leaving the strongest bacteria left alive to spread into the area once the weaker ones are knocked down. Worse yet is to develop bacteria that are resistant to Baytril .

What may be necessary to resolve your chameleon's situation is to have a tissue sample processed/cultured and whatever microbes found then tested for drug sensitivity. It may yet be discovered that it is not actually a "systemic bacterial infection" unless your vet already did the testing . It is not unreasonable for a vet to make an educated guess and toss Baytril at the problem and if it doesn't solve it then to go on to another treatment plan. Many keepers are comfortable with this method instead of spending ~$100 up-front for testing. Most "bacterial" infections will clear-up with "Plan A" but you may be looking at "Plan B" now .

 

[draetish]

Dave thank you for your response. I read on melleri discovery that Grapefruit Seed Extract cures "fungus". It is not known if Lola indeed has a bacterial infection, like you said that was the vet's first guess. The edge of the flap is dead tissue and is very hard and black. The vet actually snipped some off and it didn't phase Lola. In your opinion, should I start back up on the Baytril "and" use the GSE as a topical and see how she does? It is not spreading or getting worse, it's just there. Then after 10 days if not better do the tissue sample?

 

[Dave Weldon]

Dave thank you for your response. I read on melleri discovery that Grapefruit Seed Extract cures "fungus". It is not known if Lola indeed has a bacterial infection, like you said that was the vet's first guess. The edge of the flap is dead tissue and is very hard and black. The vet actually snipped some off and it didn't phase Lola. In your opinion, should I start back up on the Baytril "and" use the GSE as a topical and see how she does? It is not spreading or getting worse, it's just there. Then after 10 days if not better do the tissue sample?

Howdy,

Tough guess . I'd ask the vet if they think the antibiotic has done anything and whether or not to move forward with the testing. That's not much more than what you already thought about .

 

[draetish]

10-4, that's what I was thinking. It's not that it is bothering her, but it doesn't look attractive. I want my chams to be the best they can be and I will do whatever it takes. I will definetly keep everyone posted on the progress.

 

[zwhitman]

I know this is an old thread but its a common question "how long should my herp be on X antibiotic", so I thought I would throw in my .02

Chameleons immune systems are very slow. Antibiotic treatments must be continued for a long time. I think that the number one reason that bacterial infections in chameleons don't get better is because the antibiotics are discontinued too early. Most antibiotics in most chams should be given for several weeks.

The issue I see here is with diagnostics. Baytril is a great antibiotic, but like all antibioitics it only works on specific types of bacteria. Without doing a culture you will not know if baytril is the correct choice. In fact i am not even so sure that what you are looking at is a bacterial infection. What made your vet thinnk a systemic bacterial infection? Did they do blood work? That could be anything from a scar, to retained shed skin, to fungus, or bacteria. Basically anything that can kill tissue and leave necrotic dead tissue behind. The causative agent might not even be present any more and you may just be looking at a scar.

 

[draetish]

I know this is an old thread but its a common question "how long should my herp be on X antibiotic", so I thought I would throw in my .02

Chameleons immune systems are very slow. Antibiotic treatments must be continued for a long time. I think that the number one reason that bacterial infections in chameleons don't get better is because the antibiotics are discontinued too early. Most antibiotics in most chams should be given for several weeks.

The issue I see here is with diagnostics. Baytril is a great antibiotic, but like all antibioitics it only works on specific types of bacteria. Without doing a culture you will not know if baytril is the correct choice. In fact i am not even so sure that what you are looking at is a bacterial infection. What made your vet thinnk a systemic bacterial infection? Did they do blood work? That could be anything from a scar, to retained shed skin, to fungus, or bacteria. Basically anything that can kill tissue and leave necrotic dead tissue behind. The causative agent might not even be present any more and you may just be looking at a scar.

My cham died, look for my thread Lola's Necrospy.

 

[CNorton]

My cham died, look for my thread Lola's Necrospy.

Ah man, I am so sorry. I was watching for Lola's recovery. Thanks for sharing with us and allowing us all the opportunity to learn. Again, I'm sorry and I wish the best to you and your future chams.

 

[draetish]

Thanks Chad, it was a hard loss.