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Graziano
07-21-10, 02:43 AM
I have a 9 month old western diamondback that recently shed. The skin on the rattle and some small pieces along the length of the body were not shed properly. He does not strike but rather just approaches and takes the fuzzies, although he does strike at larger fuzzies. Yesterday during feeding, I noticed that he took a live fuzzy from the rear. A few seconds later, the fuzzy was running around and the snake was stretching his mouth, as if to re align his jaw, but he would then throw his head back quite violently and his tongue would flick whilst his mouth was open as if he had a bad taste in his mouth. A friend tells me that these are the symptoms of IBD.
Can anyone assit with more info?

Nafun
07-21-10, 04:27 AM
I think IBD only affects boidae and pythonidae

Lankyrob
07-21-10, 06:26 AM
That is also my understanding but may be worth quarantining the animal and ringing a vet (don't take it into the vet in case of contagion - they may want you to come at a special time when no other reptiles are there).

bladeblaster
07-22-10, 06:07 PM
i don't think that IBD has ever been documented in Vipers. I would imagine that this is a reaction to a missed strike, and possible feeding injury.

percey39
07-22-10, 07:07 PM
I would agree with blademaster it would most likely be a feeding injury from the fuzzy. Sometimes if they start to eat them while they are still live the mouse/rat will chew the inside of their mouth and claw while they go down. It would worth a look inside its mouth and check for anything to be sure.

RandyRhoads420
10-08-10, 12:18 AM
At that age i'd definately move to something bigger than a fuzzy.....