Leopard Gecko: Flagyl?

[kouneli]

So my 4 month old leopard gecko supposedly has hypovitaminosis A (vitamin A deficiency) according to the vet. I actually don't fully trust this vet, as this was my first visit and I've heard little about him actually treating reptiles, but I couldn't get an appointment with the vet that I trust until Wednesday after next (next week).
He did an initial dose of Vitamin A orally and sent me home with Flagyl (metronidazole) in order to treat secondary infection. Now, he dosed it at 0.1cc every 24 hours for 7 days. I've used Flagyl before for my rabbit when he was sick at a dose of 0.1cc every 24 hours for 14 days. Obviously, between a 12g gecko and a 5lb/2.3kg rabbit, I would imagine the dose to be different. Also, I know that with antibiotics, you need to use it for the full length of time in order to prevent bacterial resistance, but why is the gecko getting it for just 7 days, I wonder? I know that Flagyl can also be used against parasites, but is known as an antibacterial drug as well...particularly against anaerobic bacteria.
In addition to the Flagyl, he had suggested syringe feeding turkey or chicken baby food, though I don't really believe in using baby food for any animal. I asked about Fluker's Repta-Boost (I had brought in the container with the guaranteed analysis and ingredients), and he said that was fine to use, as well.


Any thoughts on the Flagyl that he prescribed?
I will be calling my original vet on Tuesday to hear about his thoughts before giving the Flagyl, but I also want to hear what you all had to say about it.

 

[cassicat4]

I always feel you should trust your instincts. If you don't fully trust what this vet has recommended, unless your gecko is on death's door (which it doesn't sound like) I would hold off on medicating him until you speak to your normal vet.

The Flagyl prescribed could be fine for dosage. You can't necessarily compare the dosage between a rabbit and a gecko because it's the concentration that matters more. Metabolic processing is also different between reptiles and mammals, and that needs to be taken into consideration as well. For reptiles, anti-parasitic medications are often diluted quite a bit to strive for a safe, but effective, amount based on their weight, whereas mammals such as rabbits can usually handle the medication at full strength at the same amount.

There are currently no reptile-specific medications/antibiotics on the market, so every product does have to be diluted and tailored to meet the requirements for the particular reptile. As all medications carry inherent risks, most vets attempt to clear up any infections using the least amount of medication possible (while still attempting to ensure it's enough to treat the condition) in order to minimize the risk to your reptile.

I've had several different reptiles on a variety of medications, and I've never had one medication that was prescribed for longer than 7 consecutive days. I don't know if this is true for all medications and all vets, but I believe this is a general guideline they strive for, even with the "tamer" medications such as Baytril.

Why did the vet prescribe force-feeding? Is your gecko not eating and/or losing weight?

 

[kouneli]

Well, concentration is the same as what was given to my rabbit (5mg/ml). I actually talked with 3 other vets that I work with (though none would actually be deamed "reptile specialists") and even looked up the dose in 2 drug handbooks that they had in the office. As you can see, it takes A LOT for me to actually trust a vet with my exotics.

He prescribed force feeding because of the fact that her eyes are crusted shut and she's unable to see her food in order to eat. She did weigh 12 g, but dropped to 10g before I started force feeding. She had never before lost weight as far as I know of. She's always been such a pig, but I knew something was wrong when she didn't eat the mealworms placed in her bowl the night before.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Perhaps you'll receive additional feedback now.