It looks like IBD is on the rise. I can't definatly say, but PLEASE get a necropsey done if your snake dies and it has any of the following symtoms:



"Signs of infection in boas include central nervous system disorders such as paralysis, being unable to right itself when turned over, "star-gazing", inability to strike or constrict. Other signs include chronic regurgitation, extreme weight loss, respiratory infections, and dysecdysis due to the inability to control body movements enough to rub off the old skin. The disease is rapidly fatal in young and juvenile boas, typified by rapid onset of flaccid paralysis.



In pythons, the disease progresses much more rapidly than in boas. Along with the above symptoms (excluding the chronic regurgitation), pythons also tend toward infectious stomatitis ("mouth rot", heightened or exaggerated reflex responses, disorientation (which may be precipitated by the onset of central blindness) and loss of motor coordination."

(http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html







This is the only way to determine if it was or was not IBD is to get a necropsey. IBD currently has NO cure whatsoever. Lack of funds available for research. Can you believe it...funds? Soo, basically this disease is completly fatel. It spreads through some sort of epidermal virus it sounds like. ALL boids can get this. THIS MEANS ALL PYTHONS AND CONTRICTORS AND SUSCEPTABLE TO THIS DISEASE!!!Please make sure all your snakes are seperated for quarantine for approx 3-6 months. I've done a bit of research, and this disease is spreading extremely easily from snake to snake. So make sure you disinfect ALL your enclosures, everything you've touched after touching the snakes, and your hands ofcourse. A bit tedious, but this needs to be stopped. The virus may not kill immediatly, may even take months. I just hope my collection isn't all effected by this aweful IBD thing. The first symtoms were shown this morning from one of my yearling balls. Its just extremely frustrating that it may have a cure, but people don't know what it is yet because of the lack of funding to research it! I guess IBD is almost like AIDS at this point. Similairly because a.)deadly virus with no cure b.)spread world wide. Well I hope this helps anyone in need of the information and preventative in getting this virus. Be careful.



Andrea



Sidenote:

This is a very serious issue threatening our entire industry and there are no other resources and 100% of all contributions will go directly to IBD research. To contribute contact: Tony Cueto, Director of Florida International Reptile Expo at: http://www.orlandoreptileexpo.com/ibd.html .Please go to the Tickets page to make a contribution or contact Evelyn Sexton at smokeband@aol.com to make a donation for the benefit auction

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