In reply to yonkers

As we have previously discussed, it is important to inspect new purchases carefully to insure, as far as possible, that they are not sick. But it doesn't end there. If you already own boxies and you are perhaps buying more to make up breeding groups, or perhaps starting up with a different subspecies, you must be very careful. Sick creatures can be devastating to those of us wanting to learn, and breed native Terrapenes. New additions to a Terrapene colony can be plagued by Chronic Bacterial Pneumonia,

fungi, viruses, various parasitic worms, and protozoans. Outbreaks of infectious disease in hobbyists collections almost always start as a result of introducing new stock.



All new stock must be isolated for a period of quarantine.

The quarantine area must have all of the necessary life -support systems for optimum living, but keep decorations to a minimum. Keep new additions in a separate room or outside enclosure for a period of eight weeks. ( the original word quarantine, in fact meant " forty days" ) I have extended my quarantine to eight weeks due to new diseases being discovered each month. Using a microscope or direct fecal smears depending on the offending agent, you can indentify most sources of the problem.

On no account should you transfer items from quarantine sections to your main area(enclosure), unless you have access to an autoclave or sterilized materials. And we must be careful ourselves to keep our hands clean after dealing with quarantine animals.

During the period of quarantine, keep a close eye on the new boxies. If no problems arise you can be reasonably sure they are safe to join your new colony. As a precautionary measure; I personally adminster panacure and metronidazole( in the amounts as prescribed by Klingenberg's D. V. M. New Book on Parasites )

Not sure?...see a Vet. with a good Boxie Reptile reputation.

Ric

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