Boa born with slight head wobble

[L.West]

Hi, I am thinking about adopting a young boa that was born with a slight head wobble. He strikes and eats good. What I am trying to see is if this condition will worsen as he ages and can he be expected to live a full life.

He is being given to me as a pet quality snake.
I just want some opinions on this. He will be my only snake.
Thank you

[Sauzo]

I would be leary of that. Only head wobble I have heard in boas is Scorias. Its like the spider gene in BPs. Other than that, the only head wobble i'm familiar with in a boa is IBD unless it has a neuro issue like it was overheated or had something dropped on its head or thumped. Only way to know would be to take it to the vet and get a blood test done to see if its IBD. If it is and the boa is showing symptoms, then it is on the way out and any other snake it gets around will get IBD too and either become carriers in the case of boas or drop dead pretty quick in the case of pythons.

[Gio]

I would be leary of that. Only head wobble I have heard in boas is Scorias. Its like the spider gene in BPs. Other than that, the only head wobble i'm familiar with in a boa is IBD unless it has a neuro issue like it was overheated or had something dropped on its head or thumped. Only way to know would be to take it to the vet and get a blood test done to see if its IBD. If it is and the boa is showing symptoms, then it is on the way out and any other snake it gets around will get IBD too and either become carriers in the case of boas or drop dead pretty quick in the case of pythons.

I agree with this,

Or there could have been some exposure to a pesticide if there were other animals that were treated for mites in the collection? That is pure speculation on my part but as stated above, and in all of the professionally written care books I've read; Boas are not known for a "wobble".

Exposure to too much heat, IBD, pesticide exposure, or some type of virus would possible causes.

You can find a completely healthy BC for a very reasonable price if you have doubts.

[L.West]

Thanks for your input - I will discuss with my friend/breeder. She did describe it as a neuro issue but I will mention what you all said. I know that she has lots of snakes (boas and bp's) so I can't imagine that it would be IBD.

But, that is why I asked here - I want to be informed.

Thank you

[Sauzo]

Well if it is your friend and she has a lot of snakes already and personally bred the wobble guy, then I would kind of lean towards not IBD then. If it is a neuro issue, the snake can do fine and live happily. Might need a little extra TLC on your part. Although like mentioned, if you are only looking for pet quality and not worried about genetics and such, you can find a normal boa for probably $50 or so from a breeder at a reptile show or even something like a Hog Island, albino or such for a couple hundred dollars.

[bcr229]

Hi, I am thinking about adopting a young boa that was born with a slight head wobble. He strikes and eats good. What I am trying to see is if this condition will worsen as he ages and can he be expected to live a full life.

There is really no way to know for sure how long he'll live. Did the person giving him to you produce him, and the boa has had the condition from the day he was born? If so it's more likely to be a congenital defect rather than due to a disease or exposure to a pesticide.

Since you have no other snakes I see nothing wrong with taking him and giving him a lifelong home - however long that life may be.

[L.West]

Yes that is my intent. Just feel like this little guy deserves a forever home. I have no other snakes and plan to keep just him and spoil him rotten.

Hopefully he will live a long happy life.