https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...1216142842.htm
Recent study.
excerpt :" "Many apparently healthy boa constrictors have not only the reptarenavirus, that is considered the causative agent, but also have subclinical IBD."
According to this study, IBD may be far more prevalent then previously thought. Esp. since so many affected Boas can appear healthy, feeding, breeding, etc.
19% of the group of animals tested ended up being positive for IBD. That's almost a fifth. That is quite a large number.
Granted, they only tested 131 animals, so the final percentage of affected Boas overall could be lower. But it could also be higher.
Since I have Ball Pythons that seem to succumb to this disease very quickly, I have decided NOT to keep Boas anymore. Unless there would be a reliable test that could be done before I would bring it home.
Since Boas can live for years with this disease, not showing signs but infecting other animals all the while, the "normal" quarantine procedures would simply not be enough, for me and my peace of mind.
Unless one has the Boa tested, or practices stringent quarantine protocol, it would be a bit like "Russian roulette". Again, in my humble opinion only !
Either way, interesting reading.
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