1000's exotics seized

[WingedWolfPsion]

I was reading this book about pythons, and while reading it said it could be carried by a retrovirus found in some mites. I'm not completely sure if that's true, but that's just what I read.

Mites are believed to be a potential transmission vector for IBD, but this is just speculation at this point--nor is it at all certain that it is a retrovirus.

Is it possible for colubrids to get IBD (even though I hear it is only transmitted with boids) or paramyxovirus?

It may be possible for colubrids to get IBD, though it's not been diagnosed in them often. It's definitely possible for them to catch paramyxovirus. Paramyxovirus is usually accompanied by respiratory signs--only occasionally would an infected snake show neurological signs without the respiratory. IBD can also occasionally cause respiratory signs--these diseases are all extremely hard to diagnose, and even with a necropsy, it can be a challenge to get a definitive diagnosis. My understanding is that the shape of the inclusion bodies can help tell them apart. (There are actually a number of viral illnesses that create inclusion bodies).

There was a vet attended while these exotics were being treated, so he told us most of the stuff and which animals were to be treated. That story of the woman is very heartbreaking. How did the reovirus wind up in her collection?

I only recall reading the story on a forum, I don't recall the details. I'm not sure she knew how it happened.

I am not insane, but I would take that risk. Just like the folks at PHS kindly did, and others who took in those exotics.

I'm just saying--a necropsy on that boa will reveal the level of risk involved, and the level of quarantine necessary to prevent the potential spread of a deadly illness. Stay on top of the mite issue by using Provent-A-Mite religiously, and use very high level sanitary procedures--wash hands between every bin, never return a live rodent to a holding bin, never switch a rodent from one bin to another--etc, etc. If you're going to take the risk, you can still minimize it.