Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just thought someone might by chance have heard someething like this or and clues.My red-tailed boa which is a little year old I went to pick him up out of the cage MOnday night and he keeps trying to flip his head over but not the whole body.He is not star gazingHe's just kind of mellow.He is a very mellow snake to begin with thought.BUt now he doesn't flick his tongue very much.I have 3 of his clutch mates.I had 2 more which were female that died within two days apart back months ago because they could'nt eat well one could'nt eat I was force feeding and the other one would'nt move up to fuzzies.So I contacted the breeder and asked if he had any other troubles?Yes from one female died.Hee said there was something wrong.That was really it.I said I'd be in touch if I had any more problems.I was waiting til I heard back about the bloodwork.I'm dying just waiting.It just breaks me heart cause he is one of my fav.'s of course.He's been ok he has'nt eaten since the third of Septembeer but they all went thru shed.I just was hopeing maybe someone knew something?I would appreciate ANY help.I mean I believe its nerological?If you can offer any suggestion that would be awesome,thanks so much!

I am very sorry to hear that your baby is not feeling well. I know how heart-breaking it can be and how helpless we sometimes feel.

Unfortunatley, I am no vet. But, I will give you some idea of what could be going on. At the very worst - he may have IBD (inclusion body disease). It's almost like AIDS for boas. If he is having trouble righting himself or having trouble with muscular control - seeming very lethargic, almost like he is in a stupor, he could very well have IBD. Especially if other litter-mates have mysteriously passed away. I would be very angry at a breeder who knows that IBD is in his/her snake collection and sold animals anyway.

Of course, there are any number of other reasons as well. It is possible that it is some other viral disease or infection, maybe even a parasite. The blood work will tell you more, and I am just working under conjecture here.

Whatever you do - quarantine the sick boa from the rest of your collection. If you handle him, immediantly wash your hands afterwards and before you handle any other boa. IBD generally spreads through body fluids, but take no risks. Also, do not re-use his cage furniture or water bowls without first throughly disinfecting them and letting them sit for a month. Better safe than sorry.

I wish you the best of luck with your baby and I sincerely hope that he will recover. Hopefully it is something curable that the vet can treat for you. Please update us on his condition.
Erin

I know like for me all my boas are my kids so if one gets sick I get bummed.And of course its one of my favs!=( I have been sweating this these last few days!God I hope its a cureable virus!It was hard enough loosing his sisters!THanks for yourr wonderful help.I greatly appreciated it.YOu sound very knowledgeable!I was thinking something nuerological?Have a great day!=)