I think my snake has IBD! Please someone help!

I have been told by a vet to apply a small amount of 'Frontline' to a cotton ball and lightly apply is down the back and belly of the snake. Wait for several minutes until is is completely dry, then whipe it off in the same way using a cotton ball soaked in water.

I was also told to get some 'F10' , which is supposed to be a very good disinfectant to completely clean her cage to help make sure she doesnt get it as well. To be honest I am now expecting her to get it, it doesn't seem like I am lucky enough to escape it, however I will do my best to try and prevent it. :(

All I want is for my remaining BP to be 100% healthy... its almost like having severe paranoia waiting to see if she starts acting all crazy like my male (R.I.P).


I am going to wait for a fair few months before considering getting another snake, I don't think I would be able to handle going through this again. Infact, anyone reading this, QUARANTINE YOUR ANIMALS and avoid the pain I'm going through.



TEK

I wouldn't dare put Frontline on a snake. Too much of it can be harmful to a full grown dog. There's a product called Provent-a-mite that you can order online that will get rid of mites.

Sorry to hear this.:(



I agree with Lord Jackel, since you have the vet apointment made I would put the poor little fella's body in a ziplock bag in the fridge (not the freezer) and take it along to get a necropsy done and a wellness check on your little girl.


dr del

I think the vet ment a very small amount just for a few minutes, then completely wash it off. Anyone else had experience with frontline and BPs?

Darkangel could you maybe link me to a website which ships to the UK? Having snakes is so much easier living in the USA. :P

Thanks again everyone!


TEK

Frontline for what?? Does your snake have mites or is this just preventative?

And Amy, Frontline is not dangerous to dogs or cats, and can only cause mild reactions in those that are allergic to the product. Advantix yes(to cats), Frontline no. The pet-store/feed store products are the ones that are dangerous and can cause severe reactions, and even death. I've even used Frontline on my rats and they are just fine.

And if you have just regular household bleach, that is fine for cleaning out King's enclosure.

I sure hope your vet can do a necropsy soon(within 24 hours) so you can get closure on how he could have died. if you wish to get him necropsied, just to have proof for the pet store in case you want to take action, keep his body in the refrigerator(no freezing). I'm sorry for your loss, hun, and I hope your other snake will be alright.

Yeah Becky, now that you say so, I think it was one of the store bought products.. My friend's dog had a SEVERE reaction, and I think I've even heard horror stories of worse happening.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tobiasking

I think the vet ment a very small amount just for a few minutes, then completely wash it off. Anyone else had experience with frontline and BPs?

Darkangel could you maybe link me to a website which ships to the UK? Having snakes is so much easier living in the USA. :P

Thanks again everyone!


TEK

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The vet must be concerned about mites since they are a way that the disease can spread. Personally, I would be reluctant to put Frontline on my snake. I would try to get my hands on the product these guys recommend (Prevent-a-mite). If I couldn't get ahold of it or something very much like it right away I would follow the vet's advice simply because there might be a time factor to consider. I would recommend asking your vet about it if you don't feel comfortable. He may know more.

Is your vet experienced with snakes at all? You should be careful that you don't have your hands on a vet that really only does cats and dogs.

Also, don't write off all pet stores as being evil. There always seems to be a bad one around but they do vary. You don't need to buy from them but they may be able to give you some good information. Try calling around to other stores that specialize in exotics and ask them about products for killing mites and if they recommend any particular vets in the area.

There is a very good chance your snake did not have IBD. It could have been born with a birth defect that affect nervous system. I had a ringer that was born with a neurilogical defect and it didn't show up until she was a few months old. Not all animals are born healthy and not all were meant to survive. Don't give up on the other one yet. IBD would have probably affected her already. Although symptoms may look similar there are several things that could cause this that are not transferable. Don't give up hope! :)

Yea it is more of a preventative measure, from what I can see she doesn't have any mites. My local vet isn't experienced with snakes, the vet I spoke to had very good knowledge of snakes and their diseases, so I assume using frontline is best to prevent them starting, rather than prevent-a-mite.

I will do abit more research into both products. Apparently bleach etc. doesn't kill IBD bacteria so F10 is a must.

I haven't got the money at the moment to send King off to be examined, however after watching a video on youtube of a Boa with IBD I am almost 100% sure that is what he had. The eratic movements of the body and head were identical to King's.

Link to video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QBHmHgfAlao


TEK

I'm sorry to hear the little guy didn't make it. :(

The transmission of IBD is not well understood yet, but one of the suspect forms of transmission is snake mites, which is probably why your vet recommended that treatment. If your snake is already infected, frontline (or anything for that matter) will do nothing to help the eventual outcome. Disinfecting and sterilizing everything is still a good idea.

If you suspect you have mites (which is a definite possibility considering the source of the animals) Provent-A-Mite is the way to go. I would avoid frontline even though it has been used successfully to treat reptiles, as it is much more toxic, MUST be completely washed off, and there is much less room for error. If you are unable to get ahold of some PAM, you should be able to find Nix or a similar head lice product with the active ingredient of permethrin at a concentration of 0.5% or less. If you go this route, make sure there are no other active ingredients in it.

If there were no mites on the snakes, there is a good chance that the female was not infected. Some keepers have had animals with IBD in their collection, and did not have problems with widespread infection.

I hope your little girl is fine. You should know in a couple months.

-Evan