Chopper just passed away :(

[ballpythonluvr]

So sorry for your loss.

[RichsBallPythons]

I actually had to look up IBD to find out what it is. Very scary! What precautions can I use if I attend a show or a pet shop to make sure I don't bring anything like that home? Will routine hand washing be enough?

To the OP. VERY VERY sorry to hear of your loss!

Wash hands and change clothes and shower. Should cover every basis as well as do preventable procedures with your collection.

Once a month i spray my racks and tubs with PAM just to keep the headache away.

[Shadows Valkyrie]

I am so sorry for your loss

[rdoyle]

Wash hands and change clothes and shower. Should cover every basis as well as do preventable procedures with your collection.

Once a month i spray my racks and tubs with PAM just to keep the headache away.

What is with the PAM

[Tim_M]

What is with the PAM

It is NOT the cooking spray. People use PAM for short, but it is actually called Provent A Mite. The stuff works excellent for getting rid of mites, and also as a preventitive measure. I am sure if you do a search on it a bunch of things will come up about it.

[broadude]

I am sorry for your loss.

It would be very helpful if you would scan and upload the Vet's statement. I am positive that when a Vet euthanizes an animal, they would at least record a cause of death (reason for the euthanization).

[fredanthony]

Very sorry to hear this.. condolences..

[drifter0069]

i am very sorry for your loss!

[JordanAng420]

Deb...Cause of death is not always documented when euthanasia is performed. A lot of times, clients come in to euthanize their pets, and a lot of the time it's a new client or one that hasn't been seen in a long time. If the animal is suffering, most vets will immediately euthanize to put the animal out of it's misery. A necropsy is extremely helpful if the owner allows the vet to perform one (kudos to the OP for going through with that!) but it doesn't always help with definatively diagnosing a "cause of death"

Without following and examining the patient on a regular basis from the beginning to the end of said "cause" it's next to impossible for a vet to truly diagnose. A veterinarian SHOULD not document a COD without knowing 100% sure that's what it is.

IBD has a lot of "grey areas" and misconceptions about the disease are common...I would compleatly understand if a COD is not documented on this particular animals medical record.

[Shadera]

Agreed. But it's pretty irresponsible to go tossing around a big ugly word like IBD and then hint around that you probably got it at a local show without concrete proof to back it up. "My vet said" isn't good enough in the case of IBD. IBD-specific testing.

IBD can decimate collections. This isn't something to take lightly, OP.