Dr. Gecko: Antibiotics

Introduction

This section was designed to provide you with a basic look into the more common antibiotics used when dealing with various bacteria that can affect leopard geckos.

It is important to remember that when using medications of any kind, that the leopard gecko be kept within its Preferred Optimal Temperature Zone to ensure the proper uptake and distribution of the medication - some veterinarians will advise keeping the gecko at the higher range of this temperature zone during treatment.

Antibiotics	A medication usually obtained from microorganisms, that inhibit the growth of or destroy certain other microorganisms (ie bacteria).
Broad spectrum antibiotics	These antibiotics will either kill or prevent the growth of a variety of both Gram negative (-) and Gram positive (+) bacteria.
Gram negative bacteria	All of these bacteria have the potential to cause disease in reptiles. Includes: Salmonella, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Serratia and Providencia.
Gram positive bacteria	All of these bacteria have the potential to cause disease in reptiles. Includes: Staphylococci and Streptococci.
Susceptible bacteria	The bacteria that are not resistant to, but are affected by a specific antibiotic.

When dealing with medical problems, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary. Treating the gecko alone without treating the environment will NOT eliminate the problem!

Please choose from the following drugs:

	Amikacin
	Carbenicillin & Piperacillin
	Cefoperazone
	Ceftazidime
	Cirpofloxacin - Cipro
	Enrofloxacin - Baytril
	Gentamicin
	How to administer medications.

Please read our Disclaimer before reading any further into these common medical techniques and procedures.

Amikacin

What is amikacin used for?

Amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic which is broad-spectrum and effective against most susceptible gram-negative bacteria.
This drug is not effective against fungal and viral infections.

What are the potential side effects and precautions?

This antibiotic must be used with extreme care!
Evaluation of kidney function and dehydration is needed before using this antibiotic. Use of this drug is often avoided in those geckos that are suffering with kidney problems, dehydration and neuromuscular problems.
Has the potential to be nephrotoxic, cardiotoxic and ototoxic, especially when associated with prolonged therapy and improper dosages.
This drug is eliminated from the gecko via the kidneys.
Pain and swelling may be evident at the site of injection.
Often used in combination with additional fluid administration because of the potential to be nephrotoxic - these fluids will help support the kidneys and reduce the chances of toxicity problems.

How is amikacin administered?

Amikacin should never be administered to your leopard gecko without the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Administered via injection (IM) only.
The duration of the treatment period will depend on the condition being treated, the gecko's response to the drug and any other conditions that may arise.
Be sure to complete the recommended treatment plan/prescription even if you notice your leopard gecko is feeling better. This will help to prevent any resistance to the antibiotic as well as to prevent the relapse of your gecko's health.

Carbenicillin & Piperacillin

What are carbenicillin and piperacillin used for?

These antibiotics are broad-spectrum and effective against most susceptible gram-negative bacteria.

What are the potential side effects and precautions?

This drug is eliminated from the gecko via the kidneys.
Pain and swelling may be evident at the site of injection.

How are carbenicillin and piperacillin administered?

These drugs should never be administered to your leopard gecko without the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Administered via injection (IM).
Successful treatment of bacteria will require more than one single dose - antibiotics are not effective when given as a one-time dose.
The duration of the treatment period will depend on the condition being treated, the gecko's response to the drug and any other conditions that may arise.
Be sure to complete the recommended treatment plan/prescription even if you notice your leopard gecko is feeling better. This will help to prevent any resistance to the antibiotic as well as to prevent the relapse of your gecko's health.

Cefoperazone

What is cefoperazone used for?

This antibiotic is more effective against Enterbacteriaceae and Pseudomonas when compared to carbenicillin.
Is often used in reptiles that are suffering from kidney (renal) problems.

What are the potential side effects and precautions?

It is excreted via the liver (hepatic system) as opposed to the kidneys (renal system).
Pain and swelling may be evident at the site of injection.

How is cefoperazone administered?

Cefoperazone should never be administered to your leopard gecko without the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Administered via injection (IM).
The duration of the treatment period will depend on the condition being treated, the gecko's response to the drug and any other conditions that may arise.
Be sure to complete the recommended treatment plan/prescription even if you notice your leopard gecko is feeling better. This will help to prevent any resistance to the antibiotic as well as to prevent the relapse of your gecko's health.

Ceftazidime

What is ceftazidime used for?

Commonly used to treat Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas.

What are the potential side effects and precautions?

It is excreted via the kidney (renal system) as opposed to the liver (hepatic system).
The use of cefoperazone may be preferable with reptiles suffering from kidney (renal) impairment.
Pain and swelling may be evident at the site of injection.

How is ceftazidime administered?

Ceftazidime should never be administered to your leopard gecko without the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Administered via injection (IM).
Successful treatment of bacteria will require more than one single dose - antibiotics are not effective when given as a one-time dose.
The duration of the treatment period will depend on the condition being treated, the gecko's response to the drug and any other conditions that may arise.
Be sure to complete the recommended treatment plan/prescription even if you notice your leopard gecko is feeling better. This will help to prevent any resistance to the antibiotic as well as to prevent the relapse of your gecko's health.

Ciprofloxacin

What is ciprofloxacin used for?

This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat various infections caused by select susceptible bacteria.
Is effective against a wide range of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria including Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Mycoplasma.
This drug is not effective against fungal, parasitic and viral infections.

What are the potential side effects and precautions?

This drug is eliminated from the gecko via the kidneys.
Reduced dosages may be required if kidney/renal impairment is evident.
Pain and swelling may be evident at the site of injection.
Use is often avoided in younger and rapidly growing reptiles.

How is ciprofloxacin administered?

Ciprofloxacin should never be administered to your leopard gecko without the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Administered via injection (IM) or orally (PO).
The duration of the treatment period will depend on the condition being treated, the gecko's response to the drug and any other conditions that may arise.
Be sure to complete the recommended treatment plan/prescription even if you notice your leopard gecko is feeling better. This will help to prevent any resistance to the antibiotic as well as to prevent the relapse of your gecko's health.

Enrofloxacin

What is enrofloxacin used for?

This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat various infections caused by select susceptible bacteria.
Is effective against a wide range of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria including Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Mycoplasma.
This drug is not effective against fungal, parasitic and viral infections.

What are the potential side effects and precautions?

This drug is eliminated from the gecko via the kidneys.
Reduced dosages may be required if kidney/renal impairment is evident.
Pain and swelling may be evident at the site of injection.
Use is often avoided in younger and rapidly growing reptiles.

How is enrofloxacin administered?

Enrofloxacin should never be administered to your leopard gecko without the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Administered via injection (IM) or orally (PO).
The duration of the treatment period will depend on the condition being treated, the gecko's response to the drug and any other conditions that may arise.
Be sure to complete the recommended treatment plan/prescription even if you notice your leopard gecko is feeling better. This will help to prevent any resistance to the antibiotic as well as to prevent the relapse of your gecko's health.

Gentamicin

What is gentamicin used for?

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic which is broad-spectrum and effective against most susceptible gram-negative bacteria.
This drug is not effective against fungal and viral infections.

What are the potential side effects and precautions?

This antibiotic must be used with extreme care!
Evaluation of kidney function and dehydration is needed before using this antibiotic. Use of this drug is often avoided in those geckos that are suffering with kidney problems, dehydration and neuromuscular problems.
Has the potential to be nephrotoxic, cardiotoxic and ototoxic, especially when associated with prolonged therapy and improper dosages.
This drug is eliminated from the gecko via the kidneys.
Pain and swelling may be evident at the site of injection.
Often used in combination with additional fluid administration because of the potential to be nephrotoxic - these fluids will help support the kidneys and reduce the chances of toxicity problems.

How is gentamicin administered?

Gentamicin should never be administered to your leopard gecko without the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Administered via injection (IM).
The duration of the treatment period will depend on the condition being treated, the gecko's response to the drug and any other conditions that may arise.
Be sure to complete the recommended treatment plan/prescription even if you notice your leopard gecko is feeling better. This will help to prevent any resistance to the antibiotic as well as to prevent the relapse of your gecko's health.