Brazilian Rainbow Boa health problems

lilsamsara · 06-19-15, 05:42 PM

I bought a BRB from a breeder in March when she was 7 months old & have had regurgitation issues ever since. First I thought it was a heat spike. Her tank got up to 86f for a day so I fixed that issue & it still kept happening. I had her in a vivarium & completely gutted it and put her on a simple LAM setup with a hide & some approved soil for humidity. I did research on the plants I had before putting them in there & they weren’t toxic but who knows what the stores put on them to preserve them. After waiting another two week period to let her stomach bacteria build back up she ate a pinky with benebac (a probiotic) on 6/5 and kept it down. She was showing signs of hunger so I fed her two days ago 6/17 and has been fine until today…

She started writhing around uncontrollably like she was in severe pain. It was like a seizure episode but instead of shaking she was writhing around. It finished with her head completely upside down & her mouth open. I rushed her to the vet & he had no idea what was wrong. He gave her a generic dewormer & will be calling his buddies at UC Davis for more information. When I got her in the carrier she was strike-y and nervous (I could tell she was hurting) but when she got to the vet she was perfectly normal again which confused us further.

She has a great personality, never nippy or nervous, always curious and active but right after she eats she shows signs of discomfort. She sprawls out in the middle of the terrarium and lays there with her head cocked to the side or turned completely 180 degrees at her neck. I'm used to snakes retreating to their warm hide, curling up & digesting for a few days but it’s like shes in pain/discomfort after she eats everytime.

Specs: 10 months old, 20in long, humidity 80-97, temp 70-80f, started her on fuzzy & hopper mice but due to her regurgitation syndrome Ive had her on pinkies to keep the stress of eating to a minimum

Snakesitter · 06-22-15, 02:04 PM

Just seeing this, lilsamsara. As discussed on another forum, I'm sorry to hear she passed. It's a great species, however, so I hope you don't give up on them. Please let me know if I can answer any followup questions.

SnoopySnake · 06-22-15, 04:48 PM

She passed? Oh no

I'm sorry to hear that...kinda sounds similar to IBD...

Snakesitter · 06-23-15, 01:42 PM

While I appreciate your desire to help, let's please be careful of dropping those letters without more proof. There are several conditions that can cause neurological symptoms similar to this....if this was even neurological at all.

SnoopySnake · 06-26-15, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakesitter

While I appreciate your desire to help, let's please be careful of dropping those letters without more proof. There are several conditions that can cause neurological symptoms similar to this....if this was even neurological at all.

I know. All I am saying is that it sounds similar.

**Minkness** · 06-23-15, 03:45 PM

What is IBD?

REM955 · 06-23-15, 03:56 PM

Inclusive Body Disorder:
To my knowledge it can be fatal for boas and most certainly is for pythons.
Inclusion Body Disease

AlexCrazy · 06-26-15, 07:57 PM

So sorry for the loss. my condolences..
As Snakesiter seas.. i hope you don't give up on BRB or any snake..

they are gorgeous!

Albert Clark · 06-27-15, 07:36 PM

Sorry for the loss, that's tragic! It actually sounds more gastrointestinal. Maybe like a abnormality in the digestive structures and or endoparasitic. I know Coccidia can be fatal. Anyway, sorry once again.