New Snake - IBD Concern

How can we ensure that a new snake doesn't have IBD -even if we get it from a reputible breeder and qt it - is there a time frame in which one could feel safe to house the RTB in the same snake room as their BP's??

Thanks everyone.

Well, I'm not sure what the experts will say (and they can give you better advice on the matter than me!), but I keep my RTBs in a different room than I keep my other snakes. From what I've read, IBD can lay dormant or mild enough that it is not noticed for a looooong time. By that, I mean months to years. I didn't want to take the chance of Diablo or Aphrodite accidentally infecting my two BPs somewhere down the road. IBD in a BP can be fatal, but the boas handle it a little better.

It is definitely a good idea to quarantine, and I would say not less than 2 to 3 weeks, but to be safe, maybe even a month? Like I said, the experts will be able to give you a better estimate, but I figured since I was here, I'd put my two cents in. ;)

Some Boas can live there entire life with IBD and show no symptoms, but still spread it…They’re asymptomatic carriers.

Pythons can’t live with IBD and will die shortly after getting it.

It’s a good idea to quarantine Boas for 3-6 months, but even then there’s still no guarantee.

Okay, now I am worried. I am in the process of getting my first RTB but haven't done it yet. Maybe I shouldn't even bother - I don't want to jeopardize my other to BP's which are my pets.

I am not a good risk taker - I would probably worry all the time. Maybe I should just get another BP. The cage I ordered is a 4x2x1 - can I house a bp in there??

You could, but depending on the snake it might be stressed in such a large enclosure. It really depends on the snake though, I've had some that thrive in a large enclosure such as that, others refuse to feed.

Of course you could, you can house a BP in anything as long as you make them feel secure and provide them the right gradient. My BP is in that exact size of cage, and does fine.

I wouldn't let a fear of IBD prevent you from getting a boa. Snakes are animals. A BP could be sick too, or having something to pass on to the rest of your collection. If you practise appropriate quarentine procdures, which is the same no matter what species of snake you're keeping, and additionally you make sure not to share anything inbetween your boa and BP cages, and to wash your hands between handling, then you should be fine.
I would also recommend picking up your boa from a breeder, instead of a pet store or consumer to consumer site.

Just because you purchase a BP doesn't mean that your collection will be 100% safe from IT either.

Any time you bring a new animal home, there is always a chance of something going wrong.

Just get a RTB since it is what you want. Don't let rare horror stories scare you away.

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Originally Posted by Aeries

I would also recommend picking up your boa from a breeder, instead of a pet store or consumer to consumer site.

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IBD researchers have commented that specimens sent to them from boa breeders as "control" animals, supposedly free of the disease, ended up testing positive for IBD.

As for pythons passing quickly from the disease - that's only true for some species. Some pythons species may end up proving to be asymptomatic carriers.

So the IBD nightmare is pretty rare?? I plan to pick out my new snake from a Reptile Show this weekend. I've been working closely with the breeder for a few weeks on finding me the perfect RTB so I feel comfortable with him - I bought both my bp's from him also.

I tend to be a worry wart and can work myself into a frenzy - LOL. You guys are right - I do want an RTB so I should go with that.

Is qting the new snake on the upper floor of my house sufficient - my other snakes are on the main floor in a bedroom.

You say qt for at least 3 months - correct?

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Originally Posted by coldbloodaddict

Some Boas can live there entire life with IBD and show no symptoms, but still spread it…They’re asymptomatic carriers.

Pythons can’t live with IBD and will die shortly after getting it.

It’s a good idea to quarantine Boas for 3-6 months, but even then there’s still no guarantee.

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If that is the case, then couldn't you just buy from a breeder that houses their boas and pythons in the same room? If their boas had IBD, their pythons would be dead.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

IBD researchers have commented that specimens sent to them from boa breeders as "control" animals, supposedly free of the disease, ended up testing positive for IBD.

As for pythons passing quickly from the disease - that's only true for some species. Some pythons species may end up proving to be asymptomatic carriers.

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For sure. Just because it's from a breeder doesn't mean it's immune from IBD, but at least you have a source to go to if you do have a problem in the future.

What are the signs/symptoms of IBD to watch for in a BP.

Thx

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

If that is the case, then couldn't you just buy from a breeder that houses their boas and pythons in the same room? If their boas had IBD, their pythons would be dead.

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Depends on the breeders cleaning procedures…

From what I understand IBD is communicable not airborne…So if nothing ever crosses between species the Pythons shouldn’t be at risk…

If the breeder doesn’t wash their hands in between each snake, uses the same sink, sponges, hooks, cleaning tools, etc for the two then yes the Pythons would be exposed to IDB if it is present.

Mites can also spread IBD from animal to animal.

If you keep everything clean and practice safe quarantine you should be fine! I keep alot of Boas and Ball Pythons in the same room and have for years without a problem!:)

That's good to hear - I think I was just freaking out a little too much. I do plan to qt my new snake even though I am getting it from the same breeder my other two come from.

I am probably getting an '08 RTB because I need a larger snake from the start to utilize the larger cage that I just bought - but that is fine with me just as long as it is healthy and somewhat friendly.

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Originally Posted by L.West

What are the signs/symptoms of IBD to watch for in a BP.

Thx

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death lol

It seems like these IBD threads come in spurts, don't they? You won't hear any concerns for months and then you'll see 5-6 in a row.

Pete Kahl has the most extensive and ACCURATE information on this topic.

IBD

IBD Case Study

IBD Virus

In my opinion, I suggest that you read through the information at the provided links and follow strict quarantine procedures for at least 3 months. I keep a BP in my room FULL of Boas and he's 100% healthy. If I can do this with my 200+ Boas and keep a thriving and 100% healthy BP, you should be able to do the same if you follow the guidelines of proper quarantine before you introduce your Boa to your collection.

1- Quarantine for at least 3 months
2- Mite preventive during quarantine
3- Vet trip with full fecal exam and smear

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Originally Posted by JimiSnakes

It seems like these IBD threads come in spurts, don't they? You won't hear any concerns for months and then you'll see 5-6 in a row.

Pete Kahl has the most extensive and ACCURATE information on this topic.

IBD

IBD Case Study

IBD Virus

In my opinion, I suggest that you read through the information at the provided links and follow strict quarantine procedures for at least 3 months. I keep a BP in my room FULL of Boas and he's 100% healthy. If I can do this with my 200+ Boas and keep a thriving and 100% healthy BP, you should be able to do the same if you follow the guidelines of proper quarantine before you introduce your Boa to your collection.

1- Quarantine for at least 3 months
2- Mite preventive during quarantine
3- Vet trip with full fecal exam and smear

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You only have one Ball Python in a room of 200 Boas? Is that your IBD alarm?

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Originally Posted by shaunb79

You only have one Ball Python in a room of 200 Boas? Is that your IBD alarm?

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Haha, no. I guy down the road from my old house heard I kept snakes and dropped him off to me...back in 2005 I think. I tried to adopt him out, but I got attached to his ugly face....so I kept him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JimiSnakes

It seems like these IBD threads come in spurts, don't they? You won't hear any concerns for months and then you'll see 5-6 in a row.

Pete Kahl has the most extensive and ACCURATE information on this topic.

IBD

IBD Case Study

IBD Virus

In my opinion, I suggest that you read through the information at the provided links and follow strict quarantine procedures for at least 3 months. I keep a BP in my room FULL of Boas and he's 100% healthy. If I can do this with my 200+ Boas and keep a thriving and 100% healthy BP, you should be able to do the same if you follow the guidelines of proper quarantine before you introduce your Boa to your collection.

1- Quarantine for at least 3 months
2- Mite preventive during quarantine
3- Vet trip with full fecal exam and smear

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Actually the most accurate information on the subject can be found from this man:

Elliott Jacobson [JacobsonE@vetmed.ufl.edu] - he's cited on most IBD articles.

He takes the time to answer e-mails. I would encourage people to direct their questions to him. There is alot of info out there not mentioned in the standard web links on the subject.

Haha, I knew that was coming. Whatever I say or suggest, you'll say something else

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and quote me in doing so

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Good luck with that.

So my ball pythons would not be in any danger, right? I've had my little colombian red tail for about 2 years now. I did the normal QT procedure and then they were in the same room. Right now my boa is in my BP rack because I just don't have the space to set up another enclosure until we move (she's still small due to feeding issues)

Since the ball pythons have been in the same room for a year and a half and in the same rack for almost a year, there is no risk of IBD in my collection is there?

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

So my ball pythons would not be in any danger, right? I've had my little colombian red tail for about 2 years now. I did the normal QT procedure and then they were in the same room. Right now my boa is in my BP rack because I just don't have the space to set up another enclosure until we move (she's still small due to feeding issues)

Since the ball pythons have been in the same room for a year and a half and in the same rack for almost a year, there is no risk of IBD in my collection is there?

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If you've had your boa in the same rack with your BPs for that long, you're fine.

*sigh of relief*

Would a normal QT period be enough for something like this? I usually QT for 60-90 days. I do plan on getting more boas in the future, so I'm wondering if it would be safe to house them all in the same room.

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

*sigh of relief*

Would a normal QT period be enough for something like this? I usually QT for 60-90 days. I do plan on getting more boas in the future, so I'm wondering if it would be safe to house them all in the same room.

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If you plan on housing your Boas with your BP's (in the same room I mean), I'd say a 90 day quarantine isn't a bad idea. The most important thing is to make sure there's no mites or parasites. This seems to be the most common factor with the speading of IBD.