carpet python

Question
QUESTION: My carpet python had a bacterial skin infection. If hadn't eaten in about 2 months. The vet I took him to prescribed fortaz. He finished his medicine about two weeks ago but still has no appetite. His skin has cleared up and looks much better. What could still be causing his lack of appetite and when if at all should I force feed him a very small rat?

ANSWER: Hello Jesse,

Wow that is too bad.  What caused his bacterial skin infection?  What is the humidity in your tank & what type of substrate are you using?
The fortaz is notorious for causing a decrease in appetite as it disrupts the GI tract & hydration status.  
If possible you could try to give some probiotics for him such as non dairy acidophiliz.  Where are you located?  
Is he losing weight yet or is his weight relatively stable right now?

Do you have any pictures of him?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The infection was caused by another vet who I had remove a legion from his side that was there when I purchased him. The site where the stitches were became infected. I took him back to the same vet who told me it was a fungal infection and to treat it with lamisil. After about two weeks and worsening of the situation I drove him 3 hour to the next closest herp vet for a second opinion. They did a slide and found an overwhelming amount of cocci bacteria. Oh and the legion that was removed had some type of larvae in it so if was given ivomec for that before all this infection started. I have been keeping him on newspaper and cleaning the cage every other day with chlorhexidine diluted to 2%. His temps have been bumped up a few degrees to help increase metabolism. ambient temp is around 80 on the cool end and 90 on the warm. Basking spot is about 92. Humidity is kept between 40 and 50. I did actually get him to eat a frozen that was about 3 sizes smaller than normal for him yesterday. And he has lost a little weight but nothing that is physically noted. Maybe a 3/4 of a pound.

Answer
Hello Jesse,

Wow I am sorry to hear about all of the problems.  How is the infection site looking?
So he did eat a small rat then recently?  That should help him out.  I am glad to hear that he has not lost any weight that is obvious then.
The temps look good right now to help boost his system more.  Do you use a temp gun or digital probe for measuring temps?
Keeping the tank clean is probably the most important, next to the temperatures so he doesn't get his stitched up area dirty.  
Do you have any pictures of him?

Tracie