Disease

i was talking to my dad and educating him on RTBs and BPs....i told him that RTBs can carry a disease that BPs will die from, but RTBs aren't affected. (he suggested that i house them together:O)
and now he is all freaked out that my snake is diseased...any words of reasurrance?

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Originally Posted by Amy1217

i was talking to my dad and educating him on RTBs and BPs....i told him that RTBs can carry a disease that BPs will die from, but RTBs aren't affected. (he suggested that i house them together:O)
and now he is all freaked out that my snake is diseased...any words of reasurrance?

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Not true. Yes Boas can carry (and be asymptomatic carriers of) IBD which they can live for a long time with but which kills Pythons very quickly. Housing snakes together is a bad idea and Boas have been known to eat their Ball Python cagemates. What would make you think the Boa is sick? What is the Boa's history? (owners, housing, etc)?

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Not true. Yes Boas can carry (and be asymptomatic carriers of) IBD which they can live for a long time with but which kills Pythons very quickly. Housing snakes together is a bad idea and Boas have been known to eat their Ball Python cagemates. What would make you think the Boa is sick? What is the Boa's history? (owners, housing, etc)?

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Yes...i was trying to say asymptomatic carriers of IBD....He's a healthy little guy...I know housing snakes together is a horrible idea...i just miscomunicated...im not thinking today. lol. but....now he thinks my snake is diseased. lol. Can snakes carry diseases that can affect humans or dogs?
Thanks guys!

I'm assuming you are refering to IBD (inclusion body disease). It is believed to be a retrovirus that may be passed by mites. It is common in boids that sit in infected distributor warehouses for any substantial length of time. It will usually kill BPs in a couple months, and juvenile boas usually succumb fairly quickly as well. Adult boas are the ones that can be asymptomatic for a long time. If you got your snake from a good breeder, or even a trusted dealer, you really don't have much to worry about. If however, you got it from PetCo, be careful......

Also, don't listen to your Dad on the housing issue, house them seperately.

-Evan

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Originally Posted by Amy1217

Yes...i was trying to say asymptomatic carriers of IBD....He's a healthy little guy...I know housing snakes together is a horrible idea...i just miscomunicated...im not thinking today. lol. but....now he thinks my snake is diseased. lol. Can snakes carry diseases that can affect humans or dogs?
Thanks guys!

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Understood. Not every Boa is a carrier of IBD. If the Boa has been properly quarantined and you know its history, I am sure its fine. Other than Salmonella, not that I am aware...I wouldn't go kissing your snake on the mouth, and always wash your hands before and after handling, but I wouldn't worry too much.

J

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Originally Posted by Amy1217

Can snakes carry diseases that can affect humans or dogs?
Thanks guys!

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Salmonella is the only zoonotic disease that pops to mind with reptiles, though it is much more likely from lizards and turtles, and still not that common. It's always a good idea to wash your hands after handling any animal though.

-Evan

Jamie, you got some quick fingers!! :cool:


-Evan

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Originally Posted by Evan Jamison

Jamie, you got some quick fingers!! :cool:


-Evan

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So many places I could go with that statement, but ill just say, great minds think alike!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

So many places I could go with that statement, but ill just say, great minds think alike!

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Amen!!! :D

lol. thanks! I am not listening to my dad about the housing thing, dont worry. :D