Ball Python tested positive for Nido but not showing any symptoms?

[Mfreid8456]

My sweet boy just tested positive for Nidovirus. He’s about a year old and not showing any signs. Thankfully he’s my only child, but what does this mean for the future? Should I expect him to live a shorter life or should I take extra good care of him to avoid a Nido flare up/RIs symptoms?

it’s crazy how little is known still about Nido…any info or input would be awesome. Thanks!

[Malum Argenteum]

" should I take extra good care of him to avoid a Nido flare up/RIs symptoms?"

This. There are a lot of asymptomatic snakes out there.

I'm curious why the snake was tested in the absence of symptoms.

[Mfreid8456]

He was housed with 4 other snakes at the pet store so I was concerned. Also I’m a paranoid person as it is so I did a full panel swab 😆

[dakski]

I am very sorry to hear of this diagnosis. I hope he continues to be/feel well.

Probably goes without saying, but I will say it anyway.

You cannot get any other snakes as long as you have him. Any other snake you get will be susceptible and could be symptomatic.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Malum Argenteum]

He was housed with 4 other snakes at the pet store so I was concerned. Also I’m a paranoid person as it is so I did a full panel swab 😆

At this point in the hobby, I'm not sure that has to count as paranoia. I myself test all incoming reptiles for the relevant pathogens per their species. It is an interesting question whether it would make sense for all keepers to test, though I do think that all breeders should be testing (and doing a lot of other things to maintain clean captive populations that many are not currently doing).


There is some good info out there.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000500974355
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000559028288

Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Sampling of Serpentovirus (Nidovirus) Infection in Captive Snakes Reveals High Prevalence, Persistent Infection, and Increased Mortality in Pythons and Divergent Serpentovirus Infection in Boas and Colubrids

Nidoviruses in Reptiles: A Review

[Mfreid8456]

Yes, thank you! We wanted another snake but definitely will not go through with that until this one passes. He is the sweetest, so I do hope he lives a healthy life no matter how long…I’m not sure if some snakes are just carriers and never show symptoms? Very hard to find any info on this. Which is understandable as it was only discovered in 2014…

[Mfreid8456]

Agree completely. It cost $60 plus $30-$50 for overnight shipping to swab test these guys for 3 viruses from RLA. In my opinion, so worth it for a peace of mind and overall being responsible if you have a collection. Thanks for those links!!

[Homebody]

Agree completely. It cost $60 plus $30-$50 for overnight shipping to swab test these guys for 3 viruses from RLA. In my opinion, so worth it for a peace of mind and overall being responsible if you have a collection. Thanks for those links!!

Do you plan to have him seen by a vet?

[Malum Argenteum]

I’m not sure if some snakes are just carriers and never show symptoms? Very hard to find any info on this. Which is understandable as it was only discovered in 2014…

Informed estimates run as high as 10% of captive snakes (of susceptible species) could be asymptomatic carriers. I recall that's somewhere in the podcasts I linked. That statistic is one reason why the value of testing by casual keepers, and how to handle a collection with a positive result, is complicated.

[Homebody]

He was housed with 4 other snakes at the pet store so I was concerned. Also I’m a paranoid person as it is so I did a full panel swab 😆

If you haven't already, you might want to let the pet store know.