Quarantine Question

[Spyderco1116]

If I have a rack I shouldn't put a new purchase in the same rack with the others? I know it's a dumb question, but any feedback will be appreciated. Thanks!

[Skittles1101]

Definitely not. Ideally, any new additions should be put into completely different enclosures in a different room for 60-90 days. Good luck

[kitedemon]

The big problem of Q in a rack is somethings like mites travel and walk about it is possible to spread exoparasites by proximity and also air born nastys as well.

Ideally, isolation is needed as much space as you can muster. I keep the Q tub in the same room but use a tray under it filled with diatomaceous earth to kill any exoparasites that escape the tub. I also use totally separate tools ect and do not ever touch anything from isolation to the rest of the collection.

Testing is not a bad idea I always do a fecal test and have started having IBD test as well just in case.

[Skittles1101]

Testing is not a bad idea I always do a fecal test and have started having IBD test as well just in case.

Just curious, I thought IBD testing could only be done after death? Or only with a biopsy?

[kitedemon]

Dr. Jacobsen has been doing a IBD blood test. I actually had a RVT send it for me as it need to be packed and shipped carefully. It was 100$ plus shipping unfortunately it is not 100% accurate but it is a start.

http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/college/de...dyDisease.html

[Skittles1101]

Oh wow, thanks for that info, I had no idea I appreciate it...

[Inknsteel]

As the previous posters have said, proper quarantine means keeping any new additions isolated from your collection to avoid spreading disease and/or parasites. Ideally this would be in a different room or different area of your house, but if that's not possible, as far away from the rack as you can in the room. There are some other steps you should take, such as not using the same feeding tongs, always wash hands between handling, always handle your existing collection before handling the QT snakes, etc...

[kitedemon]

It is too bad it is complex to get the sample and it is a fair bit of blood so I don't know if I'd want to do a small hatchling one mL doesn't sound like much but it is very close to a gram.

[Spyderco1116]

The big problem of Q in a rack is somethings like mites travel and walk about it is possible to spread exoparasites by proximity and also air born nastys as well.

Ideally, isolation is needed as much space as you can muster. I keep the Q tub in the same room but use a tray under it filled with diatomaceous earth to kill any exoparasites that escape the tub. I also use totally separate tools ect and do not ever touch anything from isolation to the rest of the collection.

Testing is not a bad idea I always do a fecal test and have started having IBD test as well just in case.

I wish I had the resources to do all that testing, but unfortunatley I don't. I wouldn't know where to begin. Is there a kit or something I can buy or is it just a visit to the vet?

[Spyderco1116]

As the previous posters have said, proper quarantine means keeping any new additions isolated from your collection to avoid spreading disease and/or parasites. Ideally this would be in a different room or different area of your house, but if that's not possible, as far away from the rack as you can in the room. There are some other steps you should take, such as not using the same feeding tongs, always wash hands between handling, always handle your existing collection before handling the QT snakes, etc...

This may sound dumb, but do you think using a hand sanitizer between handling is just as good as washing in a sink with an anti-bac soap?