IBD info?

I have had my BCI since he was a hatchling; he is now around 5'. Is it safe to assume he does not have/carry IBD, or is it something that can crop up at anytime?

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

I have had my BCI since he was a hatchling; he is now around 5'. Is it safe to assume he does not have/carry IBD, or is it something that can crop up at anytime?

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He would have to have been exposed to it at some point either from his mother or after birth. Although IBD is EXTREMELY serious it is not as prevalent as some make it out to be. People have a tendency to believe that everytime their Boa stretches its neck out and looks up that it is Stargazing and has IBD. If you have not seen any neurological symptoms (Stargazing, inability to right itself when turned over, etc) or physical symptoms (regurging, weight loss) you can be fairly sure that he doesn't have IBD. Unfortunately there are still no definitive tests for IBD which Boas can live with for years and can even be asymptomatic carriers of but which is always fatal to Pythons. I hope that didn't sound contradictory and completely confusing. Please check out the following link for more info.

http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html

I hate to not be able to really answer your question but when we rescued a BP that was housed with a Boa ...yes in the same cage... :O I read alot about IBD and came across these sites that although don't specifically answer your question may help a little.


http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html

http://www.vpi.com/7VPIMailBag/1998O...IBDDisease.htm

Of course our new BP has been quarantined!

Beat me to it :P

From what I've read, I understand that it is possible for some boas to carry the virus in a dormant state, I forgot the term exactly used to describe it. If your pythons so far have not been affected, I would probably say it is safe to assume that its likely that your boa does not carry the virus at all. I would still make a habit of avoiding any kind of cross contamination though between your boa and pythons.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

I would still make a habit of avoiding any kind of cross contamination though between your boa and pythons.

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This is a good reminder to us boa and python owners, me included, to keep viligant on cleanliness and separation between our kids. Thanks!

IBD...the only common snake health issue thing Carmen *hasn't* had yet...reeeaaally would like to avoid this one, thanks. =P

at 5 years old you would of at least seen signs of ibd if your boa had it. i have boas that hold there heads up and just look around and i instantly think oh my god. then they put there head down and i go phewwwww. (keep in mind i am no doctor but i did stay at a holiday in select last night) LOL
matt