Flagyl?

[GexPex]

So my 4 month old leopard gecko supposedly has hypovitaminosis A (vitamin A deficiency) according to the vet. 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 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).

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

 

[katie_]

I think thats normal.
I would trust your vets diagnosis and not change it.

My dogs get metro all the time for diarrhea, its extremely safe.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Even though the volume of the drug (.1cc) is the same the concentration may be different (e.g. 50mg/mL vs 100mg/mL). Are you sure the concentration of the liquid is the same as your rabbit was getting? Also there may be differences in absorption rate between mammals and reptiles that the vet knows. While checking with a vet that is experienced with reptiles can't hurt, I would generally agree with Katie and not second guess the vet who prescribed the drug.

 

[katie_]

Even though the volume of the drug (.1cc) is the same the concentration may be different (e.g. 50mg/mL vs 100mg/mL). Are you sure the concentration of the liquid is the same as your rabbit was getting? Also there may be differences in absorption rate between mammals and reptiles that the vet knows. While checking with a vet that is experienced with reptiles can't hurt, I would generally agree with Katie and not second guess the vet who prescribed the drug.

Youre right.
If youre giving liquid metro than the tech most likely had to compound the drug themself.

 

[GexPex]

The concentration is the same (5mg/mL) as what was given to my rabbit. I haven't checked with my trusted reptile vet yet (as he is only in Tues/Wed), but I checked with 3 other vets that I work with, and looked it up in 2 of their drug handbooks, so I'm figuring that it's the right dose. Takes a LOT for me to actually trust a new vet when it comes to my exotics. lol