Boas- IBD?

[lurklore]

I'm starting a snake collection, and am really interested in getting a hog island boa (and a brazilian rainbow)!! They're so pretty- two of my favorite snakes. But, as a paranoid snake parent, I'm terrified of IBD spreading to my pythons. Just how common is IBD? And is there a mostly reliable way to test for it? If so, how much does it cost?
I was trying to search these questions up on trusty ol google but I couldn't find straight answers. Maybe I'm just tired, but I just didn't see anything.
Depending on how much it is, I would be willing to pay for a test since I'm only going to be getting two boas..

I would keep my boas and pythons on opposite sides of the room just in case.

Would asking the breeder if they've had any problems with IBD before help any?
Sorry for all the questions..

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I'm starting a snake collection, and am really interested in getting a hog island boa (and a brazilian rainbow)!! They're so pretty- two of my favorite snakes. But, as a paranoid snake parent, I'm terrified of IBD spreading to my pythons. Just how common is IBD? And is there a mostly reliable way to test for it? If so, how much does it cost?
I was trying to search these questions up on trusty ol google but I couldn't find straight answers. Maybe I'm just tired, but I just didn't see anything.
Depending on how much it is, I would be willing to pay for a test since I'm only going to be getting two boas..

I would keep my boas and pythons on opposite sides of the room just in case.

Would asking the breeder if they've had any problems with IBD before help any?
Sorry for all the questions..

Is it common probably not, however it would really be hard to tell since animals can be asymptomatic for years and anyone experiencing IBD in their collection is not likely to make this public or talk about it.

DR Jacobson of the university of Florida has work extensively on IBD and there is now a reliable blood test, as for anything the total cost will vary (vet visit, drawing blood, sending the blood out, the test itself) so you will have to ask your vet.

[bcr229]

IBD in boas is grossly over-diagnosed because neurological issues in snakes have many causes: overheating, exposure to pesticides used improperly for mite treatment, other bacterial or viral diseases, death throes, etc.

Your best bet for avoiding IBD is to get a neonate straight from a reputable breeder. Older animals that have passed through multiple collections have a better chance of harboring it.

To effectively quarantine your new snake it should be in another room, preferably on another floor of your house, and not in the same room as the snakes you already have.

[lurklore]

Alright, thank you!
I would quarantine any new animals in a different room for a while for sure, though I've gotten varying answers on how long I should do so before establishing them in my collection. The most common I've seen is 3 months, I think. Would that be a good amount of time?

[bcr229]

Three months is considered the minimum in the US. In other countries such as Australia where the Sunshine Virus has clobbered collections, keepers are looking at up to 12 months of quarantine under a different roof/HVAC for new animals.

[Warren_Booth]

Your best bet for avoiding IBD is to get a neonate straight from a reputable breeder. Older animals that have passed through multiple collections have a better chance of harboring it.

Recent work seems to be questioning this. As animals can be asymptomatic, possibly their entire lives, they can reproduce. There have be a number of recent cases that have resulted in neonates testing positive having come directly from reputable breeders. This questions whether asymptomatic females can produce positive offspring. I do not see why they would not.

Warren

[zina10]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...1216142842.htm

Recent study.

excerpt :" "Many apparently healthy boa constrictors have not only the reptarenavirus, that is considered the causative agent, but also have subclinical IBD."

According to this study, IBD may be far more prevalent then previously thought. Esp. since so many affected Boas can appear healthy, feeding, breeding, etc.
19% of the group of animals tested ended up being positive for IBD. That's almost a fifth. That is quite a large number.
Granted, they only tested 131 animals, so the final percentage of affected Boas overall could be lower. But it could also be higher.

Since I have Ball Pythons that seem to succumb to this disease very quickly, I have decided NOT to keep Boas anymore. Unless there would be a reliable test that could be done before I would bring it home.

Since Boas can live for years with this disease, not showing signs but infecting other animals all the while, the "normal" quarantine procedures would simply not be enough, for me and my peace of mind.

Unless one has the Boa tested, or practices stringent quarantine protocol, it would be a bit like "Russian roulette". Again, in my humble opinion only !


Either way, interesting reading.

[lurklore]

Oh geez.... In that case I think I'll get my boas tested when I get them. Never a price too much to make sure my scaly kids are safe!

[bcr229]

Recent work seems to be questioning this. As animals can be asymptomatic, possibly their entire lives, they can reproduce. There have be a number of recent cases that have resulted in neonates testing positive having come directly from reputable breeders. This questions whether asymptomatic females can produce positive offspring. I do not see why they would not.

Warren

This is why I said it was the OP's best bet for avoiding the disease.

Just like with an STD, the only way to absolutely not get a boa with IBD is to completely abstain... but that would make life boring.

So, you factor in the risk versus rewards, and take your chances.

[Ogre]

I'm lucky as far as quarantine goes my in-laws let me use there place when I get my new herps. I gennerally keep them there for about 6 months or so. Other than that I don't particularly take any other precautions.