QT Questions...

[JPerkins]

How long should a new snake be in quarantine?
What should I be looking for?
How should I house it(ie same room, different tank or different room and tank?) when other house snakes are present?
When is it generally safe to move them into the same room( of course different tubs)?
And what is the best way/routine to take care of current snakes and qt snakes in a household?

Looking to purchase a new snake (shipped from another state) and I have six snakes at home that I want to protect.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I QT for at least 90 days. Longer if I suspect anything. I keep QT snakes as far away from my estiblished snakes as possible. I only handle QT snakes one day then my estiblished snakes the next to avoid cross contamination. Look for anything that doesn't seem normal.

[kitedemon]

I would add a few things to what has been said. Totally separate tools as well it would be best in a separate room but this is not always possible. I would have a fecal exam done 100% of the time. I usually get blood work done as well 90% of the time. It establishes a base line of what is 'normal' if it is clean and can help when something is wrong. The other thing to think of is an IBD test I have had them done when I am totally unsure of the background. I am around 55% have been done. It is more expensive as the test is 100$ but then it needs to be done by a vet drawn blood and shipped away this is often doubled. Many vets have never sent it off so you need to do a bunch of leg work first. it is something to consider, especially as the current though is it can survive in pythons much longer than expected. (maybe 7 years) before it becomes evident.