IBD strikes again :(

[bearhart]

PETA/HSUS huh? Bummer. And, really hypocritical. I mean, if you are going to advocate being "hands off" with animals then you've got no business being involved in their health care. As is the case with the people that subscribe to the separation philosophy, they are either being hypocritical or are effectively advocating the end of the human race.

Anyway, I can't say I ever researched her. I will say that I've never seen any indication of her personal beliefs in her articles and, rehashed or not, I've always found them to be above average in professionalism and quality. Perhaps I'm easily impressed. As I said before, I'm not out to endorse her.

[rabernet]

Melissa Kaplan is not held in high regard in the reptile industry. For good reason.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...Melissa+Kaplan

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...Melissa+Kaplan

[jonf]

Because the symptoms mimic everything from GI infections to respiratory illness to subclinical infections.

If the OP could scan and post the results of the necropsy or blood work, we could tell. A sure kicker is that the necropsy has to really be accompanied by a histopathology of the affected tissues/organs. That ain't cheap.

exactly............the main difference is that there are cures,medications,treatments,etc for respiratory and other infections whereas there are none for IBD. How many vets have suggested euthanizing a snake that was thought to have IBD without actually confirming it? and then took it a step further and suggested euthanizing other snakes in the collection that were showing symptoms? Makes you wonder.......??

[Skiploder]

exactly............the main difference is that there are cures,medications,treatments,etc for respiratory and other infections whereas there are none for IBD. How many vets have suggested euthanizing a snake that was thought to have IBD without actually confirming it? and then took it a step further and suggested euthanizing other snakes in the collection that were showing symptoms? Makes you wonder.......??

Then again how many owners have opted to not diagnose the disease because of the costs involved?

I lost two snakes over a year ago to IBD that were long term captives. It took a lot of time and money to confirm the infection. To save the other snakes in my collection - I euthanized my infected snakes. If I had listened to to forum geniuses (and many boa breeders) I could have lost many more snakes.

I found outright denial in the boa community. Subsequent conversations with UCD Veterinary staff and e-mail correspondence with Dr. Jacobsen confirmed that the disease is more widespread than we think and that in many cases remains asymptomatic for years.........and that many owners and breeders are in denial.

I sent copies of my correspondence to Dr. Jacobsen to a few people on this forum. You compare his responses with those I received from the boa naysayers and it really makes you think............

Bottom line - if your snake has on-going sub-clinical infections that won't resolve, spend the money and opt for as much testing as it takes to get a real diagnosis. The small symptoms that mimic other diseases can be treated and in most cases respond to proper medical care. If they don't, well, then you have a choice to make.

[mpkeelee]

i will see if i can scan the paperwork from the girl at work and try to post it. i havent read it myself but apparently the papers say IBD.