Buying a collection, need to quarentine but can't. Any suggestions?

Aright well tommorow I plan to go look at a collection for sale a little ways away. Now before you criticize, this is the background info. I found out about a guy selling several ball pythons, which was on craigslist. I know, not craigslist! But this story is much to elaborate to be a scam or fake. So here it is:

My cousin's husband passed away and he collected and bread snakes. I am trying to sell the snake(s) and equipment for her. Neither of us know a whole lot on snakes but would like to try and get rid of them. I have done a lot of research on what they typically sell for along with what the used equipment sells for. I will also entertain any reasonable offer as they need to go. We are unsure as to the specific age of the snakes (some are 2-4 years old). We will also give you a better deal if you buy more than one. Here is a general list as to what kind of snakes they are:

The story is that the man who passed actually committed suicide due to a seperation from his wife. Leaving her with his collection, this worries be because the man said all of his hatchlings had died. Which kind of makes me wonder if there may be a disease going through them all.

Now, I have no idea how to go about quarentining 10 snakes, not to mention what to look for as for problems. Does this sound to risky to anyone else. It's a hell of a deal and I would rather see them go to someone who is going to care for them. Also, has anyone heard of any IBD outbreaks lately?

They do not need to be quarantined separately, you only need to separate them from your established snakes. That is not to say that they should be kept in the same enclosure, but they could all be in the same rack, and your established snakes in another rack (or whatever you house them in)

I would only work with your established snakes one day, then the next only work with the new ones. this minimizes contamination between the 2 groups.

I'm not following your story, but being that it's irrelevant in regards to your ability or inability to quarantine, I'll just leave you with this...

Not a good idea. I personally wouldn't risk buying a collection in which a few, if not several snakes died over a short period. I definitely would not buy and resell a collection in which a few, if not several snakes died over a short period. It would be a risk to my snakes(even with quarantine), and it would be a risk to any buyers' snakes. As for recent IBD outbreaks, I do not need to hear of them in order to know that it is out there.

Do what you're gonna do, but be well aware of the risks. My concern would not be so much for your snakes as it would be for the snakes of people who would buy from you.

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

I'm not following your story, but being that it's irrelevant in regards to your ability or inability to quarantine, I'll just leave you with this...

Not a good idea. I personally wouldn't risk buying a collection in which a few, if not several snakes died over a short period. I definitely would not buy and resell a collection in which a few, if not several snakes died over a short period. It would be a risk to my snakes(even with quarantine), and it would be a risk to any buyers' snakes. As for recent IBD outbreaks, I do not need to hear of them in order to know that it is out there.

Do what you're gonna do, but be well aware of the risks. My concern would not be so much for your snakes as it would be for the snakes of people who would buy from you.

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Cannot agree more man, my story is really jumbled as it is a long story short. I do believe the hatchlings died because of improper care as the husband passed about a month ago. He also has two boa's and that is what makes me think IBD, I still plan to go up and look at them, for sure get a real story.

I'm just stuck, its too good of a deal to pass up but its for sure not worth the life of my snakes. Any other advice?

Anyone have any other input?

when you come back from looking at the collection, wether you buy anything or not, take a shower and change your clothes before you go anywhere near your established snakes.

Agreed, I'm super nervous. Its a decent collection but I have limited info, is it really worth risking my collection to go look at?>

it could be. I would at least look.

I don't if it is a risk to just go look at. I would defently ask what happened with the hatchlings how long after the mans death dead they die. because it could of easiely been from inadiquet care. and then these that are full grown are probably not in the best care neither. I would just ask as much questions as you can and look at each one individually. If the money is at a good price for what you are getting, I wouldn't not go. besides it might be in the best intrest of the snakes to remove them even if you can get a rescue org to get them.

Aaron, can't thank you enough man. For this question and the the question earlier on the heat tape. Thats two issues you and a few other people have helped me solve tonight. Crepers you deserve credit as well, those are great arguements that I need to hear just for peice of mind.

The price is great, and I know those snakes won't survive much longer where they are. Someone has been changing water and feeding but I guarentee cleanliness isnt to my standards. I clean my tubs every week and I still dont think thats enough.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

Aaron, can't thank you enough man. For this question and the the question earlier on the heat tape. Thats two issues you and a few other people have helped me solve tonight.

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no problem

And yes, we are talking about several adults. Including a few pastels, and mojave and a Russo. All being females along with several normal females. Plus one Suri Boa and One Nica Boa.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

I do believe the hatchlings died because of improper care as the husband passed about a month ago.

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So if a group of hatchlings die off in just a month due to improper care, what makes you think the rest of the snakes will be fine?

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

I'm just stuck, its too good of a deal to pass up

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This in of itself is often a good reason to pass on a deal.

And putting your concerns of IBD aside, as IBD is not the only reason for quarantine, even buying from the most reputable of breeders, quarantine is not something to be swept under the rug. Another thing to think about if that if at first glance the snakes seem fine, you buy them, bring them home, they end up not being fine...are you prepared to have 10 snakes that could possibly need vet treatment? And by not quarantining, are you prepared for your snakes to all possibly need vet treatment?

That has all crossed my mind, it would'nt take long to improperly care for them. So what should I look for, or are you telling me if you were in my position its not even worth the risk. Because I'm halfway in between.

I need more info on the hatchlings, that strikes me as really odd.

I would not personally go for it. If I were able to go against every initial instinct and buy them, they would be in quarantine for a good amount of time. I would, in that case, actually look to keep them in someone else's home. No offense, but I would really have to question where your head is at if you bought them, knowing that they've not had the best care for at least a month(I would wager longer if babies just started dying off) while knowing that you can't properly quarantine. I'd really hate to see a thread a few months down the road that all your snakes are getting sick and you can't figure out why...I'd feel for your situation, but would not feel bad for you.

I'm not saying don't buy them...I'm saying it just does not sound like a wise move on your part if you buy them and cannot quarantine them.

This "awesome price" deal imo has too many variables that could very quickly turn it into the worst deal ever.
I would only entertain the idea if i could guarantee my established animals were safe from any cross contamination that may occur.
Im assuming they have some kind of housing where they are now, see if the current owner will strike a deal, allowing you to house them separately from your current group. They probably will do a good deal on the current housing as they have no future use for them.

sent from my phone to the internet to your screen.

And that would be my next issue, I have no way to properly quarentine them. I can put them in a different rack, but only across a room at best. So this is probably going to be a no-go but I'll check it out. The whole thing just makes me nervous.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

I have no way to properly quarentine them. I can put them in a different rack, but only across a room at best.

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RR12,

This one issue alone is why you really should pass on picking up this collection.

If you have a concern for the well being of these snakes, try and arrange a rescue or pruchase from someone who can house them correctly.

I do risk management for a living, and in my opinion, this is to much of a risk to take on, even if the possible rewards are high. The possible downside out weighs the possible upside.

Good Luck with your choice.

I would say go for it as long as you can properly quarantine. Either way it doesn't hurt to check them out and see what vibes you get from the owners. If it's a good price and the snakes appear to be in a good condition, I would try to find a way to quarantine.

If your nervous going in... DON'T go !!!!

If you can't trust your gut, then your RISKING more then you know.

If the best you can do is across the room, that IS NOT quarantine. You run the very real risk of losing not only the snakes you just bought, but your established collection.

If you cannot quarantine at least in a different room, pass on them. If they need help that badly, contact any rescues in the area for ideas on one who can accept snakes.

Gale

We have an exotic animal vet close by that offers quarantine boarding, if you have something similar, that might be your best bet. Without that resource, I don't think I'd risk it.

I agree, if you can't quarantine them in a separate room, don't do it. That said, if you CAN quarantine them in a separate room, and none of them show any outward signs of illness, I would do it in a heartbeat.

The deaths of the hatchlings could have been due to long-term neglect by the suicidal owner, culminating in simply NOT being fed since his death. That's all it would take to have the hatchlings all die.

If any of the animals show signs of RI or other issues, however, I wouldn't touch them.

I have to agree with what everyone has said here. Qt is not something to be played with. I watched a good friend of mine accept a snake back into his collection that had been sold to a neglectful owner and he took it back. That particular snake killed off over 100 of his snakes. That was just one snake and he was trying to do what he thought was the correct thing. What he didn't do was a proper qt. Now over 2 years later he's still trying to recover from that and is still not allowed near my snakes. He learned what he already knew the hard way. He thought that a proper qt would be fine across the room. It wasnt and that is the result. You can lead a horse to water but can't make them drink.
My personal feelings on that is if you can't keep them in a separate room or facility, home, etc than you aren't prepared to take this collection on. I would think twice before accepting a too good to be true deal. They can crumble in an instant and tend to be full of oopsies and issues.
A too good to be true deal just isn't worth the collection I have.
Good luck with whatever decision you make.


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Thank you everyone for your input!

We actually went and checked them out and it was completely different than I had thought it would be. The family was great, super nice, seemed very responsible. Checked out the room they were in, it was really organized and clean. So far its an A+

I got to check on the first snake, which is in a vision rack. I weighed her, and looked her over and she looked fine. A little skinny but healthy otherwise. I checked the temps, 94 on the hot spot and 78 on the other side. The tubs looked fairly clean, with aspen bedding. They all had clean water bowls with fresh water. All of the snakes looked good with the exception of a few with bad sheds. Hell he even had feeding and shed records along with records of age on most of the snakes.

Now I know some of you are going to say, I would never do it or thats a bad idea! Well I did it, and actually we made room in our bedroom so the quarantine rack would fit. We'll see how this all plays out, I must say I'm pretty excited but we will have to see how things go for a few months.

They still have two boa's for sale if anyone is interested.

Thanks for your help!

Along with a visions rack and an animal plastics rack located in southern MN.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

Now I know some of you are going to say, I would never do it or thats a bad idea! Well I did it, and actually we made room in our bedroom so the quarantine rack would fit. We'll see how this all plays out, I must say I'm pretty excited but

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I wish you luck with the new ones.

Did you make room in another bedroom for the new QT snakes or are they in that same bedroom as your established ones?

Also, just because the tubs were clean and the room was picked up doesn't mean that the snakes aren't carrying an illness or otherwise. I'd pay really close attention to each and everyone. Also if you haven't already I'd check inside each of their mouths to make sure none are showing signs of RI, mouth rot, etc just to be safe.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

Well I did it

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Hope it works out for you.


You can lead a horse to water...

Thank you both SLIM and Angelica. I've checked them over fairly thourougly. The only issue was be bad sheds, but I misted them last night and this morning and almost every one got most of it off. My established collection is in my living room.

We'll see what happens over the next few months!

Each one is nearly breeding size so we'll see if I can get those numbers up and continue the projects he was working on.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

My established collection is in my living room

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Glad you were able to put the QT snakes in a separate bedroom from your others. Not sure if it was mentioned but remember to have all new equipment for the QT snakes (ie their own tongs, paper towels, etc) so you're not crossing tools.

I hope they do really well for you--its sounds like they really needed a good home, too. :)

Found this link on Reptile Report. I wish I had seen it sooner. QT across the room and even in a separate room does nothing when it comes to viral infections like OPMV, IBD, and similar that have airborne transmission routes in addition to contact transmission. I'm living proof of this. Most people know what happened to my collection when I thought that separate racks or separate rooms was "good enough". Now almost 4 years later, I quarantine at a friend's house, miles away from my new collection. Not worth the risk. Hope all works out with these new snakes.

didnt read all the threads so im not sure if somebody covered this yet... I would go look just to see what condition they are in. I am not sure it is a great idea but considering the situation there may be nothing wrong genetically or as far as their health is concerned. The man may have neglected to care properly for the hatchlings and the snakes as he was in a poor state of mind having took his own life. That being said I hope things work out for the best....

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

Thank you everyone for your input!

We actually went and checked them out and it was completely different than I had thought it would be. The family was great, super nice, seemed very responsible. Checked out the room they were in, it was really organized and clean. So far its an A+

I got to check on the first snake, which is in a vision rack. I weighed her, and looked her over and she looked fine. A little skinny but healthy otherwise. I checked the temps, 94 on the hot spot and 78 on the other side. The tubs looked fairly clean, with aspen bedding. They all had clean water bowls with fresh water. All of the snakes looked good with the exception of a few with bad sheds. Hell he even had feeding and shed records along with records of age on most of the snakes.

Now I know some of you are going to say, I would never do it or thats a bad idea! Well I did it, and actually we made room in our bedroom so the quarantine rack would fit. We'll see how this all plays out, I must say I'm pretty excited but we will have to see how things go for a few months.

They still have two boa's for sale if anyone is interested.

Thanks for your help!

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What types of BPs were they? Just curious I wanna know what kind of possible killer deal you got... no pun intended.

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Originally Posted by Andybill

didnt read all the threads

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Not sure if you know to look at the time stamps at the top of each post or not. This thread is almost a month old.

He made the purchase and these snakes have been in his collection for quite some time now. A fact that would have been apparent to anyone who read all the posts...

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Originally Posted by Slim

Not sure if you know to look at the time stamps at the top of each post or not. This thread is almost a month old.

He made the purchase and these snakes have been in his collection for quite some time now. A fact that would have been apparent to anyone who read all the posts...

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My bad. I came across this thread on reptile report and just read a few of the posts without looking at the dates...

Well lets just say it was a killer deal. I will tell you that if you type in Citrene ball python on google, that the one on world of ball pythons pictured is now the one I own.

That's a great looking BP!

I know this is an old thread but I thought I would take some pictures tonight for those of you wondering how these little guys are coming along. Also, if any of you looked up the Citrine then you know what she looks like as a baby. Well I'm hoping to get a good picture up here of her as an adult.

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/mo...cistic-pastel/

Thats the link to the Citrine Ball