Oh my god, please not IBD.

[Peter Williams]

Just need the email address that is connected to the PayPal account.

Thank you all so much I really really appreciate this.

[StickyTongues]

I had a similar problem with a neonate boa 5 years ago and it turned out to be neurological problem not caused by IBD. My vet did a necropsy and also sent the body to Dr. Elliot Jacobson to run additional test and it came back negative for IBD, known viruses, bacterial infections, etc. My reptile vet brought up the idea that this neurological problem could have been caused by other factors such has excessive heat, extreme dehydration, or chemicals such as PAM (provent-a-mite).

Everyone had told me PAM was safe to us but I should have been way more careful. I was just starting out and I didn't know any better. I had just set up the quarantine tub for this little guy the same day I got him and I sprayed PAM all over his enclosure. I let it air out a few minutes and put his water bowl in. After I had inspected him I put him in his tub and off he went into his hide.

After about 2 days I started noticing he was star gazing and then started twisting like your ball python did. I immediately took him to the vet and he brought up the concern about IBD and the symptoms did match. I agreed on the necropsy which came back inconclusive. My vet suggested sending the body to Dr. Elliot for additional testing since he is an expert on the matter. Well the good thing was it wasn't IBD and I was ecstatic about that but was sad to loose this little guy.

So don't jump to conclusion on this being caused by IBD as it is apparently not as common as people think it is, per Dr. Elliot and my vet. But then again this was years ago. For all the noob out there using SPAM, don't make the same mistake I did. Just a little SPAM goes a long way. Now I only pre-treat my cage liners, aspen, or whatever I'm going to use as substrate and never spray directly in the tub and its worked the same for me. If you do decide to spray PAM directly in the tub make sure you air it out and make sure everything is completely dry in the tub before putting your animals back in.

If you need some funds I'll donate to help with the necropsy. PM me your paypal address. Good luck with the necropsy.

Sam

Whoops! Didn't mean to say SPAM there in the second to last paragraph. That would have been pretty!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Ok lets say it is IBD, how is it transmitted, if I have other snakes in the same room, is it likely they have it, or is it just contact, or what? I only quarantined for 3 months, this snake was with the rest of my collection, I moved it 2 floors away from the other snakes but crap...I'm so scared.

according to the link provided in this thread, here is the anwer to this:

The snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis) is suspected to be a vector, passing the virus from one snake to another. Often, with an outbreak of IBD, the snakes also have concurrent mite problems. Other possible ways that the virus can be transmitted include direct contact between infected and noninfected snakes, contaminated bedding, venereal transmission and intrauterine transmission to developing embryos in viviparous species and to eggs in oviparous species, although the direct route of transmission has not yet been identified.

[Peter Williams]

according to the link provided in this thread, here is the anwer to this:

The snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis) is suspected to be a vector, passing the virus from one snake to another. Often, with an outbreak of IBD, the snakes also have concurrent mite problems. Other possible ways that the virus can be transmitted include direct contact between infected and noninfected snakes, contaminated bedding, venereal transmission and intrauterine transmission to developing embryos in viviparous species and to eggs in oviparous species, although the direct route of transmission has not yet been identified.

If thats the answer, and it IS IBD, this would lead me to believe that my other snakes have not caught it. I have had no evidence of mites in my collection ever. This snake has never come in contact with any other snake in the 4 months that I have owned it. No other snake has ever been on this snakes bedding. Most of you have seen my set up, I will highlight the enclosure that this sick snake was in.



Which cages do you think are most at risk?

[SecurityStacey]

Those videos are horrible to watch, I can't imagine what it is like to be watching it in person and being one of your snakes... you shoot me the email address I'd be willing to chip in a bit too to help you figured out what happened to her.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Please someone correct me if I am wrong... but IBD doesn't take 4 moths does it? I thought I read somewhere that it was something that made a snake almost immediately sick...

[Mochelem]

If you read about IBD it clearly says they dont even know how its transmitted... If it turns out to be IBD I wouldnt panic and start destroying your collection. But I wouldnt visit anyones house that has reptiles or go to pet stores that sell reptiles, and also dont buy anymore snakes for a while until you know your in the clear...

With so little known who knows some snakes may have an immunity.... Who knows...

[waltah!]

I was under the impression that boas could carry IBD without symptoms, but pythons don't live past the 30 day mark. Correct me if i'm wrong (it's been know to happen). I'm really very sorry to hear about this. Please keep us updated.

[edie]

If you read about IBD it clearly says they dont even know how its transmitted... If it turns out to be IBD I wouldnt panic and start destroying your collection. But I wouldnt visit anyones house that has reptiles or go to pet stores that sell reptiles, and also dont buy anymore snakes for a while until you know your in the clear...

With so little known who knows some snakes may have an immunity.... Who knows...

Yeah, don't do anything crazy until you get the test done on the dead snake, it could turn out to just be something that one snake had. I am very sorry for your loss and hope you can figure out what has happened soon so you do not have to worry!
And maybe its just me, but I would absolutely never freeze a snake, no matter the state it is in. I have money I have saved in the bank just for my pets, I would have them euthanized, I have had to freeze tarantulas in the past and even that isn't pretty, as soon as they start to feel the cold they twitch and make terrible positions and although I know they do not feel much it is hard to deal with, I would never freeze an animal with a spine.

[pythontricker]

If thats the answer, and it IS IBD, this would lead me to believe that my other snakes have not caught it. I have had no evidence of mites in my collection ever. This snake has never come in contact with any other snake in the 4 months that I have owned it. No other snake has ever been on this snakes bedding. Most of you have seen my set up, I will highlight the enclosure that this sick snake was in.



Which cages do you think are most at risk?

Based on what mcavana said, I think your collections is fine, that is considering you wash your hands in between handling, and that none of the other snakes have touched the infected snake or its bedding etc... But at this point with the rest of your collection, only time can tell.
I wish you the best! Good luck man.