IBD in my boa? please help.

[LynnGunn]

I got my first boa less than a week ago and Ive noticed some strange behaviors. He often bends slightly back and stares seemingly at the ceiling. He also often flips partially upside down. I was reading about IBD in boas and he seems to fit the description. He's less than 2 months old, can anyone give me ant useful information?

[LynnGunn]

I've noticed my boa stargazes a lot, he also sometimes goes partially upside down but can usually straighten back up. I know IBD is a possibility but are there any other things to consider? maybe changes to be made in husbandry? He's only 2 months old and has been eating fine. He's been stargazing since I got him but he doesn't seem like he's really doing it involuntarily. He often does it toward my face but never in an aggressive way. He has a branch that he used to climb on frequently but hasn't at all since I fed him 3 days ago. He seems to get around just fine but the stargazing worries me.

[Jeanne]

Seek a vet for help.

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[Jeanne]

Why did you start 2 threads on this....

This one..and 1 titled star gazing? It really isnt neccessary to do tht.

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[LynnGunn]

I know that it isn't necessary I got really freaked out and it was sort of two separate questions.

[Jeanne]

Boas can get IBD and not pass away from it, however...they will be carriers..meaning any other boa or python exposed could get it if thats what it is... However, pythons generally die from it.

If IBD is a concern for you, seek a vet for proper diagnosis.

As far as husbandry..we would have to know what your set up is like..however its not likely this has anything to do w husbandry.

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[Sauzo]

Boas will sit there with looking up sometimes for no reason. Mine both do it sometimes. Also my big girl will sometimes try to crawl on the ceiling of her cage like literally turning upside down. The key is to make sure they can right themselves up when they fall over lol. Also if you see like involuntary twitching or spasms, I would be worried. A simple test you can do is let your boa hold your hand with his back 1/4 or you hold him and basically hang him down so his head is facing the floor. If the boa turns around and crawls right back up to your hand with no problems, you are probably fine. If he corkscrews and cant seem to control himself enough to get back up to your hand, then you got issues. IBD isn't something that is really common like mites so I personally wouldn't be really worried about it although remember to quarantine any new members of the family to be safe, mostly from more common stuff.

[bcr229]

First, if you've had him less than a week he should still be in quarantine and isolated well away from your other snakes, you should only be handling after handling the snakes in your established collection, you should be showering after working with him or cleaning his enclosure, etc.

Second, IBD is grossly mis- and over-diagnosed. Many people mistake stargazing for normal boa curiosity. Yes, they will look up to see what is going on in the room.

Now, a question - is there a ceiling fan running in the room where you put his enclosure? My boas are fascinated by them. I don't know if it's the shadow pattern on the ceiling or what, but they will watch the fan going for hours.

[Gio]

It is always fatal (carrier VS. actually having the disease) and also as mentioned frequently over-diagnosed.

Who was the breeder/seller you bought the snake from? I'd contact them immediately.

It is more than star gazing which can be a common behavior. This video shows VERY unnatural movements.
http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html

This one is hard to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V2DmkdRJac

Another write up.

http://www.boa-constrictors.com/en/I...n_Body_Disease

And another.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Rept...-Body-Disease/

Good luck.

[Gio]

Another informative video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8tjfB0fP4w