Getting Unwanted BP - Some opinons needed

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Originally Posted by jpod89

Any snake can POSSIBLY DEVELOP an issue, that's common logic with every living being. But if every professional test possible is done and the snake is unquestionably healthy and clean, then you're sitting on the same risk you are with ANY snake.

Correct me in detail if I'm wrong, please.

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You're wrong! ;) (hey - you asked!)

IBD cannot be tested for until after an animal is deceased as an example.

The snake she's bringing in may have built resistances to the environment that it's been kept in, but still carries something on it that Pandora doesn't have resistances to.

Unless the vet know exactly what TO test for - the most they're going to do is take a fecal sample, check for mites and body condition. They aren't going to draw blood, take swabs from the mouth, etc as part of the routine vet check.

Pandora, after reading through this thread - you ARE getting opinions, and the majority of the opinions are - if you can't quarantine, don't get this snake. Bottom line - you can't save them all. You're just not getting the responses that you want to get, is how it reads to me.

I answered your question about MY snakes that have been to shows - they go into Quarantine for three months before they are re-introduced to my colony. What are the chances that they picked up anything? Slim - we don't let people handle them at the show. Am I willing to take a risk that the chances are very slim that they picked up anything at the show? Heck no!!!

If you're ok putting Pandora at risk with no Quarantine (even with a vet check) - then go for it. It's not a choice I would personally make.

I would instead work with my parents about the importance, that you are trying to be a responsible keeper and see if they'll allow you to QT this snake in the opposite end of the house and that this is a temporary situation. Otherwise, I'd wait to add more snakes until I had my own place where I could QT properly.

I would pass on the snake if I wasn't able to properly quarantine it. Some really really nasty bugs out their in the snake world that a vet really can't "check" for with just a normal exam. It sounds like you have your mind set on getting this snake and like Robin said you can't save them all. If you do get this snake I do hope your Pandora is okay and doesn't come down with any illness.

To reply to the last two posters:

I'm not yet decided as to whether or not I'm getting the snake. I've had my options weighed out before me and this is not a matter in which I was going to pick what advice I liked and what I didn't. Although it may seem to some of you like that, the reason behind me asking so many questions was to not miss a single pro or con.

The only response I particularly reacted to was one that was both rude and unnecessary. As it stands, I know the risks I'm taking and what my options are. It's either save a snake and lose one, or not gain a snake and not put the one I currently have a risk. Obviously the second option is more preferred but I'm not a person who can rest easily knowing the snake is living under unwanted conditions with somebody who doesn't take it's care seriously.

So far the best conclusion I've come to, is this: I'm going to buy the snake and take it to the humane society which keeps exotics for adoption without euthanasia unless absolutely necessary. Or I will donate it to a local reptile shop that has experienced staff who actually care for the snake's benefit. I'd rather pay the money for it and get some random accessories, knowing that the snake is no longer unwanted and that mine is not at risk. I would love to keep it but unfortunately I don't have the necessary measures needed to secure its safety and the safety of Pandora who I am NOT willing to lose.

Thank you to those who contributed with helpful responses and honest opinions.

I'm not going to rehash the risk vs. benefit discussion. I think it's been beaten to death as it is. Practice the best quarantine you can, and even if it's in the same room, try to keep them as far apart as possible for the 3 month period.

Now, the reason I chose to post is that I'm curious. You say that the snake is unwanted, but is it being neglected or is the person who is taking care of it just wanting to get rid of it and get a little money in hand? If the snake is "unwanted" but being properly cared for until a new home can be found, I would say the risk may outweigh the reward. If the snakes needs are being neglected, then maybe not so much.

I am of the opinion that if I don't have the means to properly quarantine a new animal and protect my current collection (of 2 bps), I would choose not to bring in the new animal. Especially if said animal is of unknown origin. Also, I would not personally spend money on an animal (regardless of the accessories that come with it) only to turn around and pass the animal off to a shelter or another rescue group. Even if the shelter does not euthanize, you're just moving a snake from one place it's unwanted to another place where it's unwanted, but you're keeping the setup and/or accessories that came with the snake. Just my $0.02...

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Originally Posted by Pandora

my next two BPs I plan on namking Isis and Osiris. =]

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:O my female BP is named Isis :D my names are mostly egyptian/god/goddess themed LOL. But erm, I haven't finished reading the next four pages so, carry on :P

Inknsteel pretty much said my own thoughts, about the whole 'is it actually in bad conditions atm, or is it just unwanted but being cared for' thing, and also about buying him and then bringing him to a shelter, where he's also unwanted (but then again still has a chance to be bought by someone else). If the guy doesn't have any reason to be rid of the snake accept to just, be rid of it, then let him hold it until he finds someone else who's able to take the necessary precautions or doesn't already have a snake to jeopardize. That's just my own opinion on that :) Sorry, I don't really have anything to add about quarantining the new one, it's all already been said and I don't wanna be redundant. Whatever you choose though, good luck!