The quarantine process

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Originally Posted by BallLuvinNaNa

Heavily Addicted to Ball pythons... But.... Is all goood
1.0 Albino ; 0.1 Bumble-Bee ; 1.1 Lesser Platinum ; 1.0 Clown ; 1.1 Butter ; 1.1 Caramel Albino ; 1.0 Pied ; 0.1 Pastel ; 1.1 Lemon Blast ; 1.0 Super Blast


I'm incredibly new to owning a ball python. I don't know a whole lot about morphs vs normals...or anything much about BP's at all. My fiance and I bought our 5 yr old grandson an 18" normal BP a couple of weeks ago.

My question to you is this: "What do the numbers with decimal points after the type of morph indicate?" Example: 1.0 Albino; 0.1 Bumble-Bee; etc. I've seen multiple users on this site post names and numbers at the end of their posts...I gather it has something to do with the snakes in their own personal collections....but what exactly does "1.1" indicate vs "0.25". Any answer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

NaNa

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They are the quantity of which sex. First digit is males, second is female, third is unknown sex.

2.6.1 would be two males, six females, one unknown sex.

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...Visioncage.jpg

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Darn, those quarantined snakes must be rocking out!

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Originally Posted by Mochelem

Im just curious what everybody's quarantine process is when you aquire new snakes. And how long do you keep them in QT?

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Hello,
With 30 plus years handling Exotic Birds,Fish<Mammals.....
I just started with my Ball Collection last week !!! ' YAY !.LOL
My quarantine is 30 days MINIMUM. I also use SEPARATE in each container/ tank set up with the supplies needed.

RUBBERMAIDS are the perfect Ball Python containers due to the humidity that comes along to housing the snakes.

FEEDING: SEPARATE feeding of new arrivals. FRESH KILLED rats are recommended.

HANDLING: When handling snakes...WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE going to handle your next snake. Just GOOD hygiene practice.

Ball Pythons live about 20 to 30 years old in CAPTIVITY.

" I ALWAYS find new information and more ideas with Snake Husbandry. I LOVE the journey of this other end of the spectrum.":P




PERSONAL OPINION: " The best snake......period.":D

Okay I am in the process of getting new reptiles. I currently only have one ball python, so I am fairly new with the quarantine process. I have read through this forum, but I still have concerns. Well before I get into my concerns I'll say I am buying a Blue Tongue Skink, and possibly a new snake. Now my concerns are

1. My quarantine room will be next door, from my other snake.
2. Do I need to shower, and change clothes each time I go in and out different room?

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Originally Posted by Druzy

Okay I am in the process of getting new reptiles. I currently only have one ball python, so I am fairly new with the quarantine process. I have read through this forum, but I still have concerns. Well before I get into my concerns I'll say I am buying a Blue Tongue Skink, and possibly a new snake. Now my concerns are

1. My quarantine room will be next door, from my other snake.
2. Do I need to shower, and change clothes each time I go in and out different room?

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You have to do the best you can with what you have. The main point is that you have to have spcial precaution when dealing with your collection & QT snakes. My QT area is in a different room, but on the same floor.

For some people, yes they won't go into the same room without changing clothes or taking shower. Keep in mind some people have thousands of dollars worth of snakes. Do you really want to risk losing all of that invested time and money because a new snake pass something on to all others.

Okay so I've done some searching and have a question... It seems to be a common agreement to QT all new snakes just to be safe. I currently have 1 snake from PetCo. He was never quarantined, though. In about a month I'm getting a T8 and possibly another snake. I'm assuming at the very least I need to QT the new guy? Also, I live in a very small apartment. And sadly the only other room I can keep it in is a common room. I really want to get another snake but am a little concerned as to how and with what I can QT the snake with...

Thanks for any help

Sorry for double post... Can't edit above post.. But if all goes well I should have a new JogSaw coming in a month or so. Since I live in an apartment where I have no other room to keep the snake what would be the best option?

My best idea was to let me friend watch my current BP while I keep the new one for a couple months in my room... I'm getting a new T8 and cleaning supplies before I get the new snake so I'll be able to put it in a completely new enclosure and my current BP will stay in his current..

Think this would be my best bet?

A friend of mine who has no other animals in his home QT's all of my new ones for 90 days. It works out since it limits the number of new acquisitions (and thus the affect on my wallet), and his wife is not a snake person but is ok with them being in the house if she knows they will be leaving soon.

Ok I've read through this sticky and I'm glad I did before adding any other snakes! But my concern is that the exotic pet store we buy our feeder mice from. We go there A LOT! Just to look and dream mostly, lol, but it's where we buy our feeder mice from. We bring them home and within a day or two, whenever she is ready, feed our BP. Yesterday we visited to pick out her new enclosure and also looked at all the snakes. I started noticing almost everyone had mites! I pointed this out to the owner who immediately removed them to be treated. We didn't buy a mouse yesterday, as she just ate. I've searched online but can't find any information whether mites are species specific or can they transfer from mice. I'm terrified that Prec has got them now! I don't see any but she is in shed and wants to be left alone. I bought some spray they recommended but they said wait til she finishes shed. So can she catch them from the mice we feed her gotten form this store, as they seem to have a infestation? It has sure put a damper on adding a red tailed boa to our home for now.


Molly & Precioucess

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Originally Posted by calmolly1

Ok I've read through this sticky and I'm glad I did before adding any other snakes! But my concern is that the exotic pet store we buy our feeder mice from. We go there A LOT! Just to look and dream mostly, lol, but it's where we buy our feeder mice from. We bring them home and within a day or two, whenever she is ready, feed our BP. Yesterday we visited to pick out her new enclosure and also looked at all the snakes. I started noticing almost everyone had mites! I pointed this out to the owner who immediately removed them to be treated. We didn't buy a mouse yesterday, as she just ate. I've searched online but can't find any information whether mites are species specific or can they transfer from mice. I'm terrified that Prec has got them now! I don't see any but she is in shed and wants to be left alone. I bought some spray they recommended but they said wait til she finishes shed. So can she catch them from the mice we feed her gotten form this store, as they seem to have a infestation? It has sure put a damper on adding a red tailed boa to our home for now.


Molly & Precioucess

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Your concern is justified. While reptile mites can't survive on mammals that doesn't stop them from hitching a ride on a less than ideal host.

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Originally Posted by John1982

Your concern is justified. While reptile mites can't survive on mammals that doesn't stop them from hitching a ride on a less than ideal host.

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QFT. I've left reptile expos without a new critter, but found a mite on me later.

It seems like we have members who QT for anywhere from 1 month to 1 year.

I was wondering if there is a sense among members which pathogens have short incubation cycles and which have longer cycles. This information would not only help when deciding how long to QT but would help one know what things to keep an eye out for when they are further along in the QT process.

For example, if mites have a life cycle which makes their presence apparent in the first 6 weeks, it would be good to know that the focus should shift from looking for mites to looking for (??).

Does anyone have a list of the common ball python pathogens with their relative incubation times?

Which of the disease and infestations are airborne if any? Or is the concern mainly to separate ALL stuff including cleaning yourself in between collections to prevent things from crawling and/or riding between two snakes?

I'm in a situation where I can't QT in a separate room, because I'm only allowed one room. Thankfully, right now I only have one snake I really want to protect, so at least I am not risking a lot.

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Originally Posted by calmolly1

Ok I've read through this sticky and I'm glad I did before adding any other snakes! But my concern is that the exotic pet store we buy our feeder mice from. We go there A LOT! Just to look and dream mostly, lol, but it's where we buy our feeder mice from. We bring them home and within a day or two, whenever she is ready, feed our BP. Yesterday we visited to pick out her new enclosure and also looked at all the snakes. I started noticing almost everyone had mites! I pointed this out to the owner who immediately removed them to be treated. We didn't buy a mouse yesterday, as she just ate. I've searched online but can't find any information whether mites are species specific or can they transfer from mice. I'm terrified that Prec has got them now! I don't see any but she is in shed and wants to be left alone. I bought some spray they recommended but they said wait til she finishes shed. So can she catch them from the mice we feed her gotten form this store, as they seem to have a infestation? It has sure put a damper on adding a red tailed boa to our home for now.


Molly & Precioucess

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I wouldnt buy substrate from a store with an infestation either.

Just like you, I walked into a local pet store that has a relatively large reptile collection. I was looking over the snakes for sale, and noticed an aquarium with spider bp's, and baby boas housed together. Obviously not a good combination. I noticed mites on the spider BP's, but not the boas.
Its clear that mites can hitch a ride on your clothes to your car, or even worse, your house.
So this got me thinking, there's a good chance the substrate is infested as well.

Then i realized this could be the case at any pet store that sells substrate. What can a snake owner do to make sure that you dont contaminate your collection with infested substrate? Would freezing the substrate kill the mites? Is it safer to buy substrate from a supplier that doesnt sell snakes too?

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Originally Posted by hijacked

Then i realized this could be the case at any pet store that sells substrate. What can a snake owner do to make sure that you dont contaminate your collection with infested substrate? Would freezing the substrate kill the mites? Is it safer to buy substrate from a supplier that doesnt sell snakes too?

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Mites and eggs can't survive being frozen, or temperatures over 150*F for more than a few seconds. So, you can store the substrate outside, and either freeze it or bake what you're about to use.

I started a big tub that I fill a week prior to complete substrate change that I sprayed with reptile spray and let sit. Putting it outside here in GA will only work if temps fall below freezing.


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In the last few years some highly respected vets have suggested that some truly nasty and scary virus could have incubation periods much longer than originally thought. I would suggest that 3 months be a minimum and 6 to 12 months be a better and safer period.

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Originally Posted by Mochelem

Im just curious what everybody's quarantine process is when you aquire new snakes. And how long do you keep them in QT?

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Unfortunately I don't quarantine new additions unless I see or hear suspicious things. I always pay attention to all of my charges. I see that I have been naïve and somewhat negligent in the quarantine department. Thank you for addressing this topic. I am glad I haven't had more illnesses or fatalities in my stock. I will have to be more vigilant and change my practices. Stay in peace and not pieces. A.C. :bow: :bow:

I know that longer is better, but as there been any "study" of what time is optimal without taking too much time?

I seem to see 3 months a lot but some say 6, as there been instances where someone who did 3 months quarabtine got an infestation or diseases?

bump!

Inquiring mind here!

WOW - I'm glad I read this entire thread and got an education on the QT process.

PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong or should tailor my thinking here for soon to be acquired snakes.

1. QT will be in the basement. My current snake (bp) is in my office. (I own a ranch style house)
2. Separate supplies (bowls, tongs, paper, spray bottle, etc...)
3. MINIMUM of 90 days - possibly 365
4. Tend to the newbies last.
5. Clothing change is a must after tending to newbies.
6. I feed FT and if someone new doesn't eat it gets tossed.
7. End rolls for substrate to better monitor for mites, fecal matter, etc...
8. Pre-treat the Qt enclosure with PAM

Some questions I have.....

1. I am actually going to the breeders house/facility and picking the snake up. While there what should I look for/ask?
2. I currently have a bp and I'm adding 2 boas (Caulkers Cay and Dumeril) this year - do they HAVE to be in different rooms once the 90-365 day QT is over?
3. How in the world would my snakes get one of these diseases (besides RI which is from temp/humidity problems) after the QT period? (I'm aware going to other collections/shows/stores, etc. can transmit disease) I mean if my snakes are the only ones I have and I interact with.
4. They will NEVER interact with each other, just me. If they are housed separately (each has their own T10) I understand hand washing between handling is a must, are there other concerns?

Sorry for the long post but I want to do what is best for my pets and to the best of my ability. Thank you in advance and PLEASE do not think you will offend me with your comments/criticisms/suggestions (unless of course they are completely off topic and out of line but I've never seen that behavior from the members of this forum and for that I am grateful and comfortable asking questions of you all).

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Originally Posted by kid_mustango02

Wow, reading all of this makes me re-think my QT process. I'm surprised I have any snakes alive at all anymore!!!

Excellent info :gj:

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I feel the same way... Im going to hell Im sure.

So I have a question, if I schedule a vet appointment and pay the money for the snake to be looked at, should I still quarantine for 3 months it would a few weeks do if they come back healthy from the vet appointment

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Still do three months... a vet can't always rule everything out, especially something like a virus.

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Originally Posted by bmwood

So I have a question, if I schedule a vet appointment and pay the money for the snake to be looked at, should I still quarantine for 3 months it would a few weeks do if they come back healthy from the vet appointment

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To completely clear your snake you would need bloodwork (PCR), fecal, etc. Probably $500-600 total cost since many vets can't do everything in-house and only a few labs like Univ of FL can run complete tests.

I'd rather just wait the 90 days.

This is an excellent article about quarantine written by an exotics specialist in Australia.

http://www.herpvet.com.au/all-about-quarantine/