IBD. please help!

hey guys, one of my good friends just got a baby BP from Petsmart 2 or 3 months ago....he was totally healthy and everything was ok... he has refused 2 meals (last week and this week), and last week he stopped coming out of his hideaway. I went over to see him today and he seemed lethargic. couldnt correct himself when being held upside down... being given the chance to explore the floor he just sat there. when i picked him up his tail just flopped down, he wouldnt wrap around me (so unlike him!) and his skin looked really baggy on him......after everything ive been reading on here and other sites...i think he may have IBD....

i dont know what to do for him seeing as how his owner has no money for a vet.

also, im freaking out because i have my own BP (No-Feet) who is about 3. i took a shower and washed my clothes when i got home because i wasnt sure what it was from....but do you think it could be spread to her? the snakes have had no direct contact

and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to anyone who can help me! <3

IBD would have already killed him after 3 months I'm pretty sure.

It is probably a husbandry issue, or parasites, or a combination of things.

Do you know the set up and temps?

The snake really just needs to see a vet, but it sounds like it is pretty far gone.

Def not IBD, sounds like the snake is mal nourished and dehydrated.

I have the exact same setup with my BP hot side between 80-85 with his hideout and water dish and other hideout on the cool side. humidity is up like its supposed to be. we are so confused!

he ate regularly up untill recently. he was tilting his head and acting just plain different, really slow... and his owner said he was squirming and flipping upside down that morning.

80-85 warm side - with hide out
70-75ish cool side - water dish and little skull hideout

sorry that all came out a little confusing

Hi,

How are you measuring and controling the temps? Overheating can also cause neurological symptoms.

Your temps however sound a bit low - I aim for 90-94f inside the hot hide and 80-82f on the cool side.

Does he have any boas or has he added any new snakes recently?

Has he treated for mites or any other household pests?

Has he sprayed anything in the room or changed anything in the snakes environment?


dr del

theres a thermometer on each side of the tank, and a hydrometer in the middle. no new snakes, and nothing new that i know of.... and hes never been treated for anything. this totally came out of the blue! we just want him to be okay. :(

what type of heating is being used, and are the thermometers those round stick-on type?

he temps are low for sure! Make sure you are using a decent thermometer and adjust the hot side up to about 90. The cool end should be about 80 and the AMBIENT air temp (ir guns cannot deliver ambient temps) should be between 78-83 air temps are a directly effect the core temps of snakes so they matter too! It could be malnourished but in reality a vet is in order. Many vets have a payment plan system. Good luck... I hope it turns out well.

thank you all so much! your awesome. ill get his temps up (my snakes too!) ill try to get him well, and were gonna look up vets today. can just any vet check him out? or does it have to be a super expensive herpetologist?

Those analog thermometers are NOT accurate, you could be turning up your heat far too much or too little. You both should really invest at the very least a digital thermometer. You do not know what the temps are with the analog thermometers. It might not hurt to have a fecal test done at a vet, they usually only go for about $25.00 and will tell you if the snake has a parasite.

ALso, does your friend keep the snake in his room? Does he use any tpe of spray in the room? Deodorant spray, Axe, etc? Those fumes are not good for a snake, and the symptoms definitely sound neurological. Most people don't think about it when there's a snake in the room and they spray things like that.

hey all.....

unfortunatly...Cyrus passed away thismorning.....his owner found him with his head burrowed in the dirt and he was gone. we just got back from burying him. were all so sad.... :(

I have a digital thermometer in my tank, and then one of those round ones for the cool side. my snake has always been healthy (aside from a minor RI when we moved) so i had no idea what to do....and i want to thank you all for your help..... <3

:tears: I'm so sorry. Always sad. It might be worth consulting an experienced herp vet, on the phone at least, about his symptoms prior to passing.

Also. if your friend plans on buying another snake, make sure the previous setup is completely washed out with a mild bleach solution.

Again, sorry for their loss. :-/

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Def not IBD, sounds like the snake is mal nourished and dehydrated.

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