Ball python disease thread idea (ALL READ)

[CoolioTiffany]

While I was cleaning up one of my Ball python enclosures, I thought of something that could be very helpful to those who think there is something wrong with their Ball python. I see TONS of threads asking "Does my Ball python have RI?" so this got me thinking, there should be a Ball python disease thread to educate those who don't know much about the diseases. The thread may include anything of infectious diseases, non infectious diseases (such as bone problems, organ failures, etc.), external parasites (mites, ticks, etc.), internal parasites (worms), and anything you can think of that would cause problems in a Ball python.

So no false information gets in the thread, here is what I'm thinking: Send me a PM saying what disease you would like to have posted in the thread, and I will ask you if you know what causes it, how to treat it, the symtoms, etc. so if you really know your stuff on that disease I'll give you the OK and you send me a PM (not copied from a site) all about the disease so I can put it up on the thread. Note that there will be other people wanting to do the same disease you want to do so I will choose the best out of all answers.

I would love as many diseases on this thread as possible so when someone asks a question if their Ball python has a disease or they want to know how to get rid of something you can always post up the link to the thread so they can go to it or tell them how to get to the thread. You CAN post links of other threads that tell you how to treat something such as what to use to get rid of mites or how to get rid of mites.

Would this be a good/helpful thread to make, in your opinion?

[BPelizabeth]

Tiff you are amazing!!! I think it is a great idea!!!!

[MattU]

Sounds like a great idea to me, would be very nice to have that

[CoolioTiffany]

Yeah I think it would be a great idea too, I bet I will even learn and hear of some diseases I never even thought of or thought a Ball python can get. I still don't even know how mouth rot it caused

[Stewart_Reptiles]

While I know the intention behind this is good I actually think it’s a bad idea for several reasons.

No one on this forum is qualified to give a diagnosis to help treat an animal, even if they were qualified unless an animal is actually seen by a vet who will perform the necessary exams, no one knows what the best treatment course will be for the specific animal.

Like with anything there is no one treatment fits depending on the progression of the disease the strain of a virus as well as the animal itself treatment will differ.

There is also the problem of people (often newer inexperienced owners) panicking imagining the worse simply because their animal(s) has some symptoms that might be similar to some very serious diseases or virus. (seen it many times).

This forum is in no way a substitute for a vet visit, yes we can give basic recommendation/suggestion on what it might be but when it comes to specific diseases/viruses we must leave it to the people who are qualified and will see the animal in person, they will be the one performing necessary exams and prescribing adequate treatment.

[rabernet]

On top of what Deb already said - I'm also uncomfortable with one person making the decision as to who is the most qualified to answer the disease question.

[rabernet]

Yeah I think it would be a great idea too, I bet I will even learn and hear of some diseases I never even thought of or thought a Ball python can get. I still don't even know how mouth rot it caused

Not to pick on you Tiffany, but that's what I'm uncomfortable with. Since YOU don't know how it's caused, then how are you qualified to determine who gives you correct information?

[cgator]

well with all that above being said i still think its a good idea .. as it may give other members a rough idea as to what could be wrong with there snake and when they refer the problem to there vet that they have a certain knowledge of what is going on and it is not just jibberish to them .. so what i would do is not have members give out diagnostics .. i would just create a list of diseases and the potential signs of them to give everyone a heads up

[h00blah]

i would just create a list of diseases and the potential signs of them to give everyone a heads up

with pictures =D!

On top of what Deb already said - I'm also uncomfortable with one person making the decision as to who is the most qualified to answer the disease question.

it doesn't have to be tiff, or one person, it can just be a sticky that a mod or admin can update when someone wants to add more info, or change something.

i think this is a good idea. of course when an idea is proposed, there are always going to be things that should be edited, but its just a suggestion. =p.

modify this idea. make it a poll!!

"should there be a disease thread?
yes / no"

i vote BG be the president! LOL!!!!(jk) ;p

>_>

[Stewart_Reptiles]

well with all that above being said i still think its a good idea .. as it may give other members a rough idea as to what could be wrong with there snake and when they refer the problem to there vet that they have a certain knowledge of what is going on and it is not just jibberish to them .. so what i would do is not have members give out diagnostics .. i would just create a list of diseases and the potential signs of them to give everyone a heads up

And that kind of resources can already be found online sadly for the untrained, inexperienced owners this can be misread and lead them to conclude to the worst.

Over the years I have seen people panicking because their animal had a reddish belly , and because they read somewhere that reddish belly could be scale rot they were already imagining the worse.

There are list of diseases out there (not very hard to find), but those are still not a substitute for a vet visit and a list of treatment as suggested is definitely not something that should be done for serious illnesses such as RI and/or others.

I understand giving advice for minor injuries (then again I would seriously question the person level of experience first) however recommending treatment for RI or mouth rot needs to be left to vets.