Dangers of improper quarantine

**Aaron_S** · 03-06-11, 11:05 AM

Use the links on post #3

I posted this another forum and I thought it should be posted here too.

This is for everyone. For everyone who doesn't believe in a full quarantine procedure before introducing their adult snakes together that were bought 3 weeks ago.

This is a thread from the Fauna boards in regards to IBD. This can happen to anyone of us and we may not even know it's in our collection! It's a very long thread so I'll try to link to the important pages I've come across.

This is the first page of the entire thread.
Broken link - see post #3

This has a story from someone else who lost most of their collection to IBD. Look for the post by "Adrya"
Broken link - see post #3

This link shows that IBD isn't the only collection killer. Crypto can be as deadly for those who keep lizards as well. Last post by KelliH.
Broken link - see post #3

This link details an e-mail reply from Dr. Jacobson at the University of Florida. He's the leading person behind IBD and has a very informative e-mail reply here. Look for post #70.
Broken link - see post #3

I didn't post this to attack anyone in particular. I thought it would be worth while to show you what can happen. That thread isn't even about the disease and how it acts entirely, although there's a ton of info about it, it's about how someone may be selling snakes with IBD into unsuspecting collections further spreading the disease.

Please for the sake of your animals and everyone else let's practice safe quarantine

blindfireak40 · 03-06-11, 11:40 AM

Hey man, all your links are broken. Thank you for posting information like this though, I've read so many stories about homes being ripped apart by IBD; I think fewer people are aware of it than should be.

**Aaron_S** · 03-06-11, 11:49 AM

I need an edit button. Thanks for letting me know.

First Link

Info Ashley Caspillo-SakaraGT4/Sakara *Possible Buyer Beware!* - FaunaClassifieds

Second Link

Info Ashley Caspillo-SakaraGT4/Sakara *Possible Buyer Beware!* - Page 3 - FaunaClassifieds

Third Link

Info Ashley Caspillo-SakaraGT4/Sakara *Possible Buyer Beware!* - Page 8 - FaunaClassifieds

Fourth Link

Info Ashley Caspillo-SakaraGT4/Sakara *Possible Buyer Beware!* - Page 7 - FaunaClassifieds

**Aaron_S** · 03-07-11, 10:09 PM

Can this get a sticky? I think the info in those links is useful to everyone who comes here.

infernalis · 03-08-11, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Can this get a sticky? I think the info in those links is useful to everyone who comes here.

Done deal.... has me thinking though. we need a husbandry category.

**Aaron_S** · 03-08-11, 10:00 AM

Yeah just sticky it in there or we can copy it for both so it gets views.

I appreciate the sticky Wayne.

Will0W783 · 03-08-11, 10:56 AM

Thanks for posting this Aaron! I too think it's imperative for people to understand the real danger of IBD and implement quarantine procedures. All my guys now get a full 3 months of quarantine, IF they appear healthy. Any issues means they get kept separate for 3 months AFTER any health issues have been resolved.
I used to only quarantine for a month, and had a few scares...no reason to take the chance. Regardless of what people may or may not have invested in their snakes, the animals are first and foremost LIVING beings, and in captivity they are completely at our mercy- they cannot escape the conditions we choose to keep them in. We provide them water, food, heat and humidity and determine their location and every aspect of their existence for them. It is our responsibility to make life as comfortable and safe as possible for them. Anything less is cruelty and irresponsibility.

percey39 · 03-08-11, 04:35 PM

I was told by many reputable aussie collectors/breeders that quarantine time should be 12 months for all pythons and 6 months for any venomous species.
Great links Aaron thanks for sharing. I for one know that most people do not follow quarantine practices at all which is just asking for trouble. The only time i have not practiced these rules was when i aquired my last scrubby. I have know the person who sold me the animal very well and also know the history of the scrub i bought.

**Aaron_S** · 03-08-11, 05:00 PM

Why is the time less for venomous snakes? I'm really curious to know.

percey39 · 03-09-11, 09:05 AM

Im not quite too sure on that myself as this is just what has always been told to me. I would assume it to have something to do with the fact that there is less known diseases that have been associated with the venomous species compared to boa's and pythons. Wether this is due to less studies being undertaken with venomous species or wether these diseases are just more known within the boa end of family ( which to be fair is common knowledge ). Genetic make up between these two are not too different for lack of a better word.

Will0W783 · 03-09-11, 09:19 AM

I think it's because venomous snakes and colubrids cannot get BOID. However, I have heard of cases where kingsnakes have shown symptoms in a collection that had BOID boas. So it may very well be possible that they can get and carry BOID, but maybe they just don't die from it. I think we just don't know enough about BOID and related retroviruses to take anything for granted. I was told by my veterinarian to quarantine all new arrivals for 3 months, and if anything seems iffy at any point in their quarantine, do not put them in the collection. They need to be treated and quarantined for 3 months beyond the last signs of any issues. This is of course when dealing with minor illnesses like RI and mites. If a snake showed any neurological signs in quarantine, I would never put it into my collection- just not worth the risk.

belovedboas · 03-09-11, 10:28 AM

Great linnks Arron very useful information.....I for one have always agreed with quarantine procedures....i love my pets too much to risk there health!!! Great thread