The unbeatable RI.

[JulieInNJ]

Then there's the fact that so LITTLE is known of these viruses. It's unknown whether a recovered snake could harbor the virus in its body, and there are several different families of viruses causing similar symptoms out there.

Step 1) If a snake dies of an RI, get a necropsy done--by an EXPERIENCED reptile vet. Have it shipped if you have to. You want to know what caused that death, not have a guess. Some of the viral illnesses can only be diagnosed postmortem, and only by someone who knows what to look for.

Step 2) If you have a snake come down with a viral RI, inform the person you got it from, immediately. Some of these illnesses can incubate for up to 10 months, and that person may have had the animal in their own hands for less time than that--your notification could alert them to a viral RI problem and allow them to isolate any animals that may have had contact with the infected one. It will also allow them to contact anyone they've sold an animal that may have been infected to. (We know some people are not ethical enough to do this, but some are).

Step 3) Isolate sick animals, and isolate animals that may have been exposed. Clean with bleach and disinfectants made to kill things like Newcastle's Disease in poultry. The risk of chemical exposure is less than the risk from the virus--rinse well, but use the strong stuff.

Step 4) Sell nothing that may even remotely have been exposed, until your collection is virus-free for 1 year. Never sell recovered animals, and keep them isolated--it is unknown whether they may be asymptomatic carriers. There has been no verified incidence of that, but it's not worth the risk.

We see these stories coming through over and over again...quarantine new animals for 1 year, not for 3 months, not for 6 months...for the maximum recorded incubation time for these viral RIs. These diseases couldn't proliferate the way they are if people used proper quarantine procedures.

Excellent suggestions.

[Salamander Rising]

Djiis.....

I'm in the moment to believe that the long anticipated black pastel male who started all this at my place is in fact a cinnamon... At least it isn't a female who turns out to be a boy, but it still is kinda boring.....

Aw...darn it.
I have a lot of trouble identifying subtler morphs so I can easily see myself confusing them, too.

I see far fewer Cinnies at shows than black pastels so hopefully you can make up for it soon...and the black pastels are much more affordable, too.

[Genetics]

Aw...darn it.
I have a lot of trouble identifying subtler morphs so I can easily see myself confusing them, too.

I see far fewer Cinnies at shows than black pastels so hopefully you can make up for it soon...and the black pastels are much more affordable, too.

When I bought him I've never seen a cinnie before, but I knew they were very alike but I trusted the sellers word, and drove three hours each way just to get him 'cause I really wanted a black pastel and not a cinnie..

In the scandinavian both cinnies and black pastel are kinda rare, for some years ago it was some cinnies for sale, but this year the black pastel has blossomed big.. Haven't seen cinnies for sale for a long time. I'm not pissed, but I'm kinda dissapointed... Just have to suck it up and hope for the best.. Try out some savannah balls instead

[JulieInNJ]

Hi, all. Just an update.

Yesterday, Titan succumbed to his RI. It was very upsetting, but I'm so glad he's not suffering anymore.

Gonna miss my big guy.

[Don]

Julie, I'm so sorry for your loss. You have had a terribly tough time.

[swansonbb]

So sorry to hear it, Julie. Thanks for fighting for him.

[Salamander Rising]

Just....

[don15681]

sorry for your loss, don

[DooLittle]

Poor baby, I'm sorry.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[Genetics]

I'm sorry for your loss... My normal is still going, become better and then worse an so on but for the last time now she's become so much better... She's eating weekly, sheds and gaining wheight, hope it helps... She's a tough animal, that's for sure !