Snake twisting around/shaky, IBD?

[bcr229]

Why can't you test it for IBD?

Likely because not all every vet got the memo that there's a new IBD blood test available.
http://labs.vetmed.ufl.edu/sample-re...ed-infections/
http://labs.vetmed.ufl.edu/sample-re...ions/boid-ibd/

Why are you assuming it's IBD?

Because ZOMG if a snake has neuro problems IT'S GOT IBD!!!! ... or another disease... or poisoning from mite treatment... or it was overheated... or a myriad of other reasons.

[kiiarah]

I am just going to throw this out there, but it seems that if the OPs concern is giving the snake a chance the question of what is causing the behavior is not really that important. OP, if I were in your position, and if I had no other snakes in the house (this is important because of contagious illnesses, you wouldn't want to risk your healthy animals to save one) I would ask the store to allow me to adopt or purchase him/her at a reduced price. You said you were thinking of getting a snake, so I am going to assume that means you don't already have one. If this were a purely practical or financial decision, then yes it would be important to know what the odds of recovery would be. But think of it this way, there is likely no way to know for sure if it is IBD without expensive testing. As others mentioned, many things can cause similar symptoms, some are always fatal, some are only sometimes fatal, and some (like temperature issues) will go away with proper care. Ask yourself if you could know for sure that there was a 10% chance of survial for this guy, would you chance it and try to save him. If you really just feel that he deserves the best chance he can have at survival, and you aren't risking any other animals' health, I would just go for it. That is just my opinion, and I have adopted sick or injured animals in the past. Some of them went on to live healthy happy lives and made a full recovery, some of them I lost as well, but I wouldn't go back and do anything differently. IMO it is always worth trying. Provided that you are can accept that he may not make it, and provided that you are alright with investing in what may be a lost cause, it becomes a purely ethical decision. It sounds to me like your gut is already telling you that you should at least try to save him, and if that is the case no amount of intellectual debate can change that.

For what it is worth I read did some research just a bit ago on what could cause this other than the spider gene and apparently even improper temps during incubation can result in this symptom. In that case it may not even be an illness. The snakes in question that displayed this symptom from the time they hatched lived perfectly normal lives, it was just something that went wrong during development.

[mtag]

You are correct. My only real concern is if this snake is in pain if I do decide to keep it from being euthed. I don't have any snakes, or even any other reptiles so there is no concern of transmission of any sort of disease. I work at a vet clinic so I understand very well that the snake may not make it, but if there is a chance it can I want to give it to him/her.

[kiiarah]

I am no expert, and hopefully someone will correct me if I am wrong, but given that ball pythons are so prone to showing signs of stress (balling, not eating, wandering...etc) I would think that if he is in pain you could tell. If he is curious (tongue clicking, calm exploration) and seems comfortable (a good eater, a regular sleep/activity level and schedule) I would think those would all be good signs that he is not in pain. From what I understand, IBD is an extremely painful disease and is always fatal. A snake with this condition would surely not behave like a normal happy snake. As for any other condition, I suppose you would have to guage it the same way you would with any animal, watch their behavior and if they seem distressed and nothing has worked to improve their condition consider intervening. Have you handled him much? What was his temperament like?

[200xth]

would think that if he is in pain you could tell.

Not necessarily. They're animals, they're reptiles, they're very good at masking pain.

[Viol8r]

I have a Bumblebee ball (Spider/Pastel(avatar pic)) that looks like he's on a roller coaster ride every time we take him out. He's 1200 grams, eats fine, and show little wobble when in his tub. He does get a little confused when he drops his head under water sometimes in the bath tub. He's a sweet, healthy snake with some mental issues. lol

[mtag]

Ok, I took a few videos tonight.

Here is one of when the snake goes upside down. It will sit upside down, then right itself. If you poke it the snake uprights almost immediately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K41l...FOqlq7ZmsRGjEg

Here are two clips showing the snake crawling/going up the wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNivZ...FOqlq7ZmsRGjEg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KRNs...sRGjEg&index=3


The snake is very active, it was up and moving my whole shift tonight. Apparently they put this snake out on the floor immediately since it is "rare". So not only did they not quarantine it but it had at least 20 people handling it the day it was unloaded.

[Viol8r]

The "bending" vid looks exactly like our small female bumblebee. I have seen other snake genes that people have said had a wobble also. Maybe there is something else to this snake besides PastePied. It appears to have been living a while judging from its size. I would gamble on it if it were me in your shoes. I would also try for a discount though. How much do they want for it?

[bcr229]

I would find out...

How long has the pet store had it? How long has it had the neuro problem? Did it start off mild and get worse over time, or did the problem show up overnight?

Was it treated for mites, and if so, what was used and how?

You said it has been eating, has it taken a meal since the neuro issue showed up?

[mtag]

According to the pet store they didn't notice anything when they got the snake and it ate a pinkie the first day it was there. They noticed the issues after having it for two days. When the snake first came into the vet clinic a few days ago it seemed worse than it is now. The jerking is a lot more mild.

It hasn't taken a meal since we have had it at the vet clinic, but it has only been a few days since it ate last.

The snake is free. Pretty much I take it or it gets put down.