Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My red-tailed boa passed away this morning after a week of odd symptoms that the vet was unsure of. I was hoping someone on here might recognize something and let me know what happened here. I had the boa just over a month, and he was only a few months old. I will list the symptoms, and then his husbandry info below. Please help.

Symptoms:
- Swollen around neck, head and mouth
- Mouth unable to close (no visible fungus (rot) inside of mouth)
- Jerky, awkward movements
- Stretching his neck up and back a little, staring upward
- Despite being mid-shed, no skin came off (no shedding)
- Dehydrated
- In the last day or so, unable to really move or right himself if flipped over
- Couldn't move through water when soaking, got tangled or turned
- Gaping, mouth open for long periods of time
- Crust/oozing around vent

I took him to the Vet ER where they did a chest x-ray and found no signs of pneumonia or respiratory infection. I am waiting until Monday (tomorrow) for the results of the blood CBC test.

Husbandry:
- He lived in 20 Long aquarium (he was only 18 inches)
- Fir bedding (large pieces)
- Temp 78 - 95 (basking side)
- Fresh water daily
- Fuzzies, one ever four days or so
- Humidity around 60% (was fighting the lack of humidity in my apartment and starting to win)
- Hides on either side of tank (which he never used)
- He soaked frequently
- Ceramic heat emitter for basking area

Also, I want to mention that he did have mites when we got him home from the pet store. We treated them by emptying the tank and scrubbing/disinfecting everything and soaking him daily for a few days. They seemed to disappear completely.

Any insight would be truly helpful. This was my first boa, and I am devastated. I'd done a lot of reading and tried to maintain everything to the best I could. The vet doesn't seem to be overly helpful.

Thank you in advance.
-Stephanie

Wasnt IBD!
Could have been 10-10K others issues combined with the stress load that results from either or,one or more.
Holster that IBD six shooter till you have something conclusive from some lab work.People are all to eager to clear leather with that assumtion without supporting data.Nothing you describe is systematic with IBD.
Sorry for your loss I know its hard to part with these awesome little creatures were entrusted to care for.

Best Of Luck !

M/

First of all sorry for the loss. I recently lost my favorite hypo male. it sucks!
Secondly, CBC levels will not give conclusive evidence for IBD. It has to be from a liver biopsy. There is also, as I understand it, a time limit for this test. Not too sure on this though.
Regarding IBD: To me, some of those symptoms seem IBD'ish, but you can't be sure without testing the organs of the snake. If you have other Boids it may be a good idea (perhaps just for peace of mind).

Again, sorry.
Boog

that is like an autopsy for a snake. Specifically tell them to look for IBD. If this is making you nuts, just do this and you will find out for sure. I am so sorry.

caden