I'm a new BP parent, and I'm FLIPPING OUT.

[swansonbb]

What the title says. Beware, this is kinda wordy.
I love my new baby and I'm worried that I may not have taken the best steps to introduce my little girl to her new home.

I have a one year old corn snake that outgrew her ten gallon tank, so I moved her to a new enclosure. I figured since I had a tank already set up, I'd get a new snake. Before I did, I made sure to disinfect the tank (and all the hides/climbing foam branch thingies) with bleach and warm water, then thoroughly washed it out. I bought a new water bowl since the old one was a pain to clean. Anyway, I went to a reptile store near my house (they've gotten great reviews on the quality and care of their animals) and fell in love with this little ball that was just so curious and sweet. She let me hold her with ease and was very alert, clear eyed, and healthy. I knew she was the one, so I brought her home and put her in the ten gallon tank. Then I fed her a mouse because she looked kind of hungry at the store and I didn't want to feed her before I had to drive her back. She ate it just fine and spent the rest of the day sleeping.

BUT... I didn't quarantine her. Her tank is right next to my corn's container. I didn't think to do it since I knew my corn or the baby ball didn't have mites. I figured that's all I had to worry about. I've also used the same carrier for when I spot clean their cages. Not at the same time of course, but they've been in the same areas is all I'm trying to say. I also didn't wash my hands inbetween handling them... I mean, my ball is doing fine. She did get a little whistle-y the day after I brought her home, but I bumped up the heat on the UTH to 90, and it went away. My corn is dandy, as ever.

I guess I'm just concerned about a lot of things here... IBD being the biggest one. I didn't even know about the disease until today, and I've had this ball for almost a week. I researched ball care really well too, prior to bringing her home... and I heard nothing of it until I went on a search tangent about stargazing. I tested this out on my ball by flipping her over, and she flipped back fine. I'm guessing she never had it in the store, or else she'd be displaying worst symptoms by now (from what I've read in the past hour, pythons exhibit symptoms much faster than boas). I'm just worried because I heard colubrids could carry the virus, and with me handling both snakes I'm just scared for my ball. I don't know much about IBD, except it seems like it was spawned from hell. I guess I just wanna know if my corn could have possibly given it to her, and if my ball has any diseases that could hurt my corn. I've already bought a separate holding container just for my ball, and I use a different set of chopsticks to feed her now. I store all these things separately too. I just can't undo the first five days of mishandling.

Also... now I'm worried that the mice I buy from that reptile store. The workers obviously handle various snakes and feeders... and I know that if there was an IBD breakout in their store, people would find out. I just don't want to risk my snake catching anything because one of the employees touched an infected snake, and then gave me feeders that had the disease on them.

I know... I'm like one of those mothers that bubble wrap their children before sending them to kindergarden.

Rest easy.

Yes, you should always QT a new animal. There are a lot of great threads on here explaining how to do so. That said, people throw around IBD a lot. It's a horrible disease and will destroy a collection. But it just isn't that common.

Also, your new ball's whistling was probably due to stress. But good job on bumping the temps. Watch your ball for anything that doesn't look right, and please come here to ask if you see something that concerns you.

[Gio]

Hey, I agree with what the others have said. We all try to prevent things by being proactive and the advice given here is some of the best around. But remember these snakes a pretty hardy little animals. The wind blowing the wrong direction is not going to kill your new baby. You can over think things to death and make your life much more stressful than need be.

You already realized the mistake and corrected things. My BP has not eaten in 5 months, has not lost weight but she is driving me crazy. Its just how they are.

These little animals come up against some very harsh conditions in the wild and you can find some imports that are in great health.

I can tell you are going to be a good owner because you cared enough to be worried. Relax and enjoy.

[Orianna]

Thanks guys!
I guess I was just stressing...
But thanks for all the reassurances and help. If I ever need any help in the future, I'll definitely come back here!

[Jonas]

Rest easy.

Yes, you should always QT a new animal. There are a lot of great threads on here explaining how to do so. That said, people throw around IBD a lot. It's a horrible disease and will destroy a collection. But it just isn't that common.

Also, your new ball's whistling was probably due to stress. But good job on bumping the temps. Watch your ball for anything that doesn't look right, and please come here to ask if you see something that concerns you.

the "whistling" is probably just hard breathing??