Body Inclusion Disease..?

[snakes_rule]

Hello,
About 8 months ago I rescued a baby ball python and a boa constrictor. Very soon after, the baby ball python died of symptoms that sound quite similar to that of Body Inclusion Disease. After about and hour of corkscrewing her head, her eyes seeming to twitch in and out, not being able to right herself and other equally sad and disturbing things, she suddenly died. It was heartbreaking. I have been worried ever since that my other boas could have been infected with the disease, if that is indeed what she died of. Does anyone know of how long it takes for the symptoms to start after being infected with it? I know that is affects boas differently than it does pythons. How it is spred from snake to snake? I have heard that it is only by an exchange of bodily fluids that it is possible, but I would like to hear some different opinions. Needless to say, I am very worried and would like to know the possibilities. I don't want any of my snakes to ever suffer like that again.

Thank you so much,
Tess

[peterm15]

do you mean Inclusion Body Disease ( IBD)

first off it is very uncommon.. and as far as i know ( im no expert) it RARELY affects boas.. its a python thing.. stargazing is a sympton but it is not conclusive.. it is VERY easy to pass on.. its like the flu... even breathing the same air can pass it on.. if you have other pythons id have them checked asap.. as well as an autospy done on the dead one to be sure.. it may just be blood tests.. im not sure. ive heard of ppl loosing huge collections due to ibd. it rarely happens and havent heard of one case in the community in the 3 years ive been in.. lots of scares though... it attacks the central nervous system (CNS) and is thought to be transmited by mites.. ther is no cure... the only percaution that can be taken in the imidate humane killing of any animal displaying all the symptions and disposal of the remains..

it usually starts the downward cycle with regurg followed by CNS disorders like not being able to right itself and head tremmors. the snake can no longer focus and starts stargazing. once again it is though to be caused by a retrovirus and probably tranmited by mites. the only thing found to be out of the ordinary after death is scatered dark areas and inclusion bodies inside the bodyu cells.

id look into the boa end mor if i were you.. if it is possible to transmit the desease to boas and your snake starts the symptons, id put him down.. of course its your decision.. but once again id be more worried about other pythons you may have

[gonesnakee]

It affects Boas as often as it does Pythons from what I have been told. Apparrently it affects Pythons very very quickly though & Boas it can take quite some time before syptoms show, almost lying dormant at first. Might only take weeks to kill a python, but upto a year to kill a boa. This is what I have been told about it anyway, but am no expert by any means. Mark

[peterm15]

thanks for clearin that up mark.. i wasnt 100% sure..

[Corran]

From everything i have heard it is transmitted to boas as well. As for symtoms to show up it really depends a lot on age. I've heard adults can carry it for several years before showing signs. thean again im no expert either, these are just things ive heard from others who have done the reserch.

[snakes_rule]

That's what I have heard too...just from talking to people and from looking it up on the internet (a rather unreliable source in itself), so I wasn't sure...I will keep researching and will contact a reptile vet and ask some questions. Apparently it is detectable with a simple blood test, so I will definitely look into that.

Thanks, everyone!

Take care,
Tess

P.S. And yes, I did mean Inclusion Body Disease- sorry about that, must have had a momentary dyslexic moment.

[peterm15]

dont worry so did i.. lol..

any good quality python book should cover the subject pretty good...

good luck,