Rolling mouse, dead boa connected?

toddnbecka · 12-03-14, 12:58 AM

A few weeks ago I picked up 1m/3f white mice to breed feeders for my baby corn and carpet python. Found one of the females today rolling over and over in one spot, apparently unable to walk or move normally. I picked her up with tongs and euthenized her, then sterilized the tongs as a general precaution. Any clue what would cause this? Ever seen anything like it before?
Aside from the delay in having a steady supply of mice if I need to start over with fresh stock, our baby boa constrictor died last week. When Becka came home from work she found him rolling and convulsing, and now I'm wondering of it was the same thing that hit the mouse? A week earlier the boa seemed fine, then wasn't interested in eating on the usual feeding day or a couple days later. I didn't think too much of that after reading so many posts about snakes in general occasionally not eating, certainly had no clue he would die in a couple more days.

Zoo Nanny · 12-03-14, 10:41 AM

Rolling mouse disease is caused by a virus that can cause inner ear infection. If I can find the name of the virus I'll post. I don't know if boas would/could be effected by it.
This site gives some decent information.
AFRMA - Medical - Rolling Mice; Rat/Mouse Health Questions; Theiler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV)

**Tsubaki** · 12-03-14, 11:35 AM

It doesn't affect snakes, mice with an inner ear infection or brain tumor are safe to use as feeders.

Zoo Nanny · 12-03-14, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

It doesn't affect snakes, mice with an inner ear infection or brain tumor are safe to use as feeders.

There was a study in 2012 that was questioning the possibility of snakes with IBD contracting one of the viruses associated with the disease from eating rodents. It's really technical so a good amount of the study reading it goes over my head but interesting. It talks about other types of viruses that proved to be zoonotic. I'm wondering what the outcome of the study has been or if it's completed as of this time.
Identification, Characterization, and In Vitro Culture of Highly Divergent Arenaviruses from Boa Constrictors and Annulated Tree Boas: Candidate Etiological Agents for Snake Inclusion Body Disease

JinxtheBP · 12-03-14, 10:28 PM

Really interesting thread. Thank you for sharing, everyone!

toddnbecka · 12-04-14, 01:26 AM

So just wait and watch the other 3 mice to see if they develop the same problem? Or best to get rid of them and get fresh stock asap?

Zoo Nanny · 12-04-14, 05:37 AM

Have the three been together. From what I read it appears that it is fecal oral route of transmission. I would watch them very carefully and not introduce any news one into your grouping yet. I tend to be overly cautious so also wouldn't feed them out either without knowing what they have. You could always bring one to the vet if it develops the same symptoms. If you decide to euthanize and begin again be sure to soak the enclosure in a 1 to 10 part ratio of bleach and water for a minimum of 30 minutes to kill the remaining viruses in the tank.

toddnbecka · 12-05-14, 01:18 AM

They were all housed together in a 10 gallon tank. The other 3 seem fine so far. Might as well start another group in a separate tank as a backup plan if I can find another source. Doesn't seem logical to buy more from the pet shop I got these from.

Zoo Nanny · 12-05-14, 05:15 AM

I would look and see if there is anyone in your area that have bred some and get from their stock. A good amount of pet stores get their animals from the same supplier.