Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been reading a Barron book called "Snakes" and it mentions "star gazing"...All it says is a few sentences in a caption under a drawing, not an actual pic of a boa looking straight up. It was just enough to leave me confused and wanting to know more. LOL!

"'Star-gazing' is one manifestation of inclusion-body disease. At the moment, this problem seems to be restricted to boas and pythons, and can be spread by mites. Initially, the disease is difficult to diagnose and a cure is not yet known."

What is inclusion-body disease and why would "looking upward" be a symptom? Don't healthy snakes look upward at times too??

I tried to look up "inclusion-body disease" first and it wasn't listed...after I typed in my message here, I decided to try "star gazing." There it was.

"Star-gazing refers to any neurological disorder that is characterized my mental dullness, abnormal posturing, and an inability to move forward in a normal fashion. This is more commonly seen in, but not limited to, snakes, and is characterized by a serverely twisted cervical positioning, creating a "starward gaze." Although possible causes include protozoa, viruses, heat damage, and trauma, bacterial agents are by far the most common. This bacterial meningitis or encephalitis usually results froom hematogenous infection or bacterial embroli from an absess elsewhere in the body." Then, it goes on to talk about antibiotics, prednisolone, etc. and doses, as well as recommendations for supportive care.

So, I guess my question is answered...Thanks anyway guys!!

Hopefully someone else will benefit from me being goofy; asking first then looking it up myself. LOL!