New Snake - IBD Concern

[L.West]

How can we ensure that a new snake doesn't have IBD -even if we get it from a reputible breeder and qt it - is there a time frame in which one could feel safe to house the RTB in the same snake room as their BP's??

Thanks everyone.

[PyramidPythons]

Well, I'm not sure what the experts will say (and they can give you better advice on the matter than me!), but I keep my RTBs in a different room than I keep my other snakes. From what I've read, IBD can lay dormant or mild enough that it is not noticed for a looooong time. By that, I mean months to years. I didn't want to take the chance of Diablo or Aphrodite accidentally infecting my two BPs somewhere down the road. IBD in a BP can be fatal, but the boas handle it a little better.

It is definitely a good idea to quarantine, and I would say not less than 2 to 3 weeks, but to be safe, maybe even a month? Like I said, the experts will be able to give you a better estimate, but I figured since I was here, I'd put my two cents in.

[coldbloodaddict]

Some Boas can live there entire life with IBD and show no symptoms, but still spread it…They’re asymptomatic carriers.

Pythons can’t live with IBD and will die shortly after getting it.

It’s a good idea to quarantine Boas for 3-6 months, but even then there’s still no guarantee.

[L.West]

Okay, now I am worried. I am in the process of getting my first RTB but haven't done it yet. Maybe I shouldn't even bother - I don't want to jeopardize my other to BP's which are my pets.

I am not a good risk taker - I would probably worry all the time. Maybe I should just get another BP. The cage I ordered is a 4x2x1 - can I house a bp in there??

[flynn]

You could, but depending on the snake it might be stressed in such a large enclosure. It really depends on the snake though, I've had some that thrive in a large enclosure such as that, others refuse to feed.

[Aeries]

Of course you could, you can house a BP in anything as long as you make them feel secure and provide them the right gradient. My BP is in that exact size of cage, and does fine.

I wouldn't let a fear of IBD prevent you from getting a boa. Snakes are animals. A BP could be sick too, or having something to pass on to the rest of your collection. If you practise appropriate quarentine procdures, which is the same no matter what species of snake you're keeping, and additionally you make sure not to share anything inbetween your boa and BP cages, and to wash your hands between handling, then you should be fine.
I would also recommend picking up your boa from a breeder, instead of a pet store or consumer to consumer site.

[mainbutter]

Just because you purchase a BP doesn't mean that your collection will be 100% safe from IT either.

Any time you bring a new animal home, there is always a chance of something going wrong.

Just get a RTB since it is what you want. Don't let rare horror stories scare you away.

[Skiploder]

I would also recommend picking up your boa from a breeder, instead of a pet store or consumer to consumer site.

IBD researchers have commented that specimens sent to them from boa breeders as "control" animals, supposedly free of the disease, ended up testing positive for IBD.

As for pythons passing quickly from the disease - that's only true for some species. Some pythons species may end up proving to be asymptomatic carriers.

[L.West]

So the IBD nightmare is pretty rare?? I plan to pick out my new snake from a Reptile Show this weekend. I've been working closely with the breeder for a few weeks on finding me the perfect RTB so I feel comfortable with him - I bought both my bp's from him also.

I tend to be a worry wart and can work myself into a frenzy - LOL. You guys are right - I do want an RTB so I should go with that.

Is qting the new snake on the upper floor of my house sufficient - my other snakes are on the main floor in a bedroom.

You say qt for at least 3 months - correct?

[Wh00h0069]

Some Boas can live there entire life with IBD and show no symptoms, but still spread it…They’re asymptomatic carriers.

Pythons can’t live with IBD and will die shortly after getting it.

It’s a good idea to quarantine Boas for 3-6 months, but even then there’s still no guarantee.

If that is the case, then couldn't you just buy from a breeder that houses their boas and pythons in the same room? If their boas had IBD, their pythons would be dead.