Half of Ball python paralyzed

[rabernet]

Matt,

I'd also recommend that you consider seeing Dr. Brad Wilson as well - he came highly recommended from three different independent sources to me (the Atlanta Zoo Reptile Department, the GA Herp Society and BW Smith).

As far as I know - there is no conclusive test for IBD on living snakes. IBD kills pythons in under 30 days. How long have you had them?

[Beardedragon]

We have had the resuces for a month and a half now. Does that rule out IBD???

[rabernet]

Unless they were exposed to any other animals outside of your own home in that time (even someone else's brought into your home), I would think that yes - it would rule out IBD.

Again - I'd still recommend considering seeing Dr. Wilson for a second opinion. He's in Marietta.

[sahara87]

I went with Matt to the vet in Ellijay. The vet was very caring for Orange and also worked with us on helping the snake. He did the x-rays for free because he knew that Matt really cared about his snake and knew what he was doing. I think he also knew that the x-rays weren't going to help diagnose the snake. All the the x-rays said was that the snake was fine but had a lot of gas. We are hoping that the gas is what's causeing it and it will pass. The vet said that only 1 out of 10 people that come up there know how to take care of reptiles and really care. He also helped me with my snake with belly rot. She shed yesterday and all the bad scales came off. I just hope that with Orange it is not IBD and something that can be cured or passed. I have the other 2 rescues and they are not showing any signs of IBD and are feeding and doing great. This is just a weird sight to look at.

[littleindiangirl]

Taking from Jen H's loss, she had her animals for well over the few weeks/months that we all rule as IBD prime territory. I dont know if they ever found out what it was, but I think with as little as any of us know, we shouldnt rule out anything especially something as serious as IBD until the specialists have time to work on it.

[rabernet]

Taking from Jen H's loss, she had her animals for well over the few weeks/months that we all rule as IBD prime territory. I dont know if they ever found out what it was, but I think with as little as any of us know, we shouldnt rule out anything especially something as serious as IBD until the specialists have time to work on it.

Jen's animals weren't suspect of having IBD, but some other type of virus instead. And even then, the team that was supposed to test the bodies mishandled them and let them deteriorate past the point of being able to test them. I've not seen any other updates since then from her. I do need to go check her blog. To my limited knowledge IBD doesn't result in blood being expelled from the lungs as were the symptoms of her animals.

[muddoc]

IBD is a severe neurological disorder. There is no cure and its always fatal in Balls and Boas and its extremely contagious.

Just to clarify this a bit. IBD is NOT ALWAYS fatal in Boas. Many Boas can carry IBD for years without perishing. However, this is not the case in Balls, as most of them will die within 3 months.

[littleindiangirl]

Jen's animals weren't suspect of having IBD, but some other type of virus instead. And even then, the team that was supposed to test the bodies mishandled them and let them deteriorate past the point of being able to test them. I've not seen any other updates since then from her. I do need to go check her blog. To my limited knowledge IBD doesn't result in blood being expelled from the lungs as were the symptoms of her animals.

Sorry Rab, i just thought it jumping the gun to say it's ruled out IBD because of how long he's had the rescues.

I thought that it wasn't necessarily always a few weeks that IBD kills pythons and we know too little to rule something completely out because of the time line.

[rabernet]

And you may be correct, Connie - from what I've learned from Adam - it kills in under 30 days from exposure.

[Brimstone111888]

Just to clarify this a bit. IBD is NOT ALWAYS fatal in Boas. Many Boas can carry IBD for years without perishing. However, this is not the case in Balls, as most of them will die within 3 months.

Opps and thank you.