Bacterial Infections in Corn Snakes

Reptile · Pantherophis guttatus · typical adult weight 0.20–0.90 kg

9 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in corn snakes: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cefotaxime, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole, Oxytetracycline, Piperacillin, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).

General coverage of susceptible bacterial pathogens. Drug selection turns on the suspected organism's gram-stain, the patient's species (oral β-lactams unsafe in rabbits/guinea pigs), and the infection site (penetration to bone, CSF, or biliary tree).

The overview above describes Bacterial Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to corn snakes — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Amoxicillin(Amoxi-Tabs, Amoxil)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, IM	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	Susceptible bacterial infection	Weak	Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Amoxicillin dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Ampicillin(Polyflex)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	10–20 mg/kg	q12h	Susceptible bacterial infection	Weak	Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. (co-cited: Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166.) — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Ampicillin dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Cefotaxime(Claforan)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	20–40 mg/kg	q24h	Susceptible bacterial infection	Weak	Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Cefotaxime dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	50 mg/kg	q12h	Susceptible bacterial infection	Weak	Clark CH, Rogers ED and Milton JL (1985) Plasma concentrations of chloramphenicol in snakes. American Journal of Veterinary Research 46(12), 2654-2657 — Mined from BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.84 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Chloramphenicol dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Ciprofloxacin(Cipro, Baytril)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	10 mg/kg	q48h	Susceptible bacterial infection	Weak	Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.215 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Ciprofloxacin dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Metronidazole(Flagyl)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	20 mg/kg	q48h	Anaerobic bacterial infection	Weak	Funk RS, Diethelm G. Reptile formulary. In: Mader DR, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgey, 2nd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2006:1119-1139. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Metronidazole dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, IM, IV	6–10 mg/kg	q24h	Susceptible bacterial infection	Weak	Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. (co-cited: Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166.) — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Oxytetracycline dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Piperacillin

Uncategorized

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	50–100 mg/kg	q24h	Broad-spectrum bacterial infection	Weak	Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. (co-cited: Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166.) — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Piperacillin dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Supplement

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	10–20 mg/kg	q24h	Hypovitaminosis C; stomatitis; skin slough in snakes; supportive therapy for bacterial infections	Weak	Fraser MA, Girling SJ. Dermatology. In: Girling SJ, Raiti P, eds. BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2004:184-198. (co-cited: Mehlhorn H, Schmahl G, Mevissen I. Efficacy of a combination of imidacloprid and moxidectin against parasites of reptiles and rodents: case reports. Parasitol Res. 2005;97(Suppl 1):S97-S101.) — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) dosing in Corn Snakes →Calculate for this corn snake →

All drugs cited for Bacterial Infections →All drugs for Corn Snakes →

Other conditions in Corn Snakes

Endoparasites Sedation Systemic Fungal Infections Cryptosporidiosis Ectoparasites

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.