Reptile & Amphibian Forums

sold a normal ball months ago and recently they brought it back. Upon examination the snake was very cold, has good body weight. No signs of upper respiratory trouble, a tiny spot of possible mouthrot. I am working on treating the mouth but this snake has something more serious going on. It winds its head around itself. It twists wierd, holds the back part of its body sorta ridged. It can right itself if turned over but something just isn't right. I asked if it had been exposed to toxins but no luck. I have bathed it and am keeping it warm and will hope it may get better with time. Any input on this would be appreciated. It is not just a little head wobble. Thanks for your time.

I hate to even mention it, and reaaaalllly hope I'm wrong, but....IBD? Kevin McCurleys book has a good, brief explanation in it, but I've never dealt with it personally. (its only a guess, with little info, but lots of knowledge in here, so you might get some better answers)
I'd say the vet is your best bet.
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

I have a ball that did some weird stuff like this years ago. My vet said it was IBD so I took it home and waited. It took a year or so but the snake eventually got over its problems and is now health with no signs of her problems. I hope this snakes troubles are not IBD.They did own a boa too but swore they didn't house them together. I work for my vet part time so I'll be taking her in. Could this happen from rough handling? Thanks

I honestly don't know. I don't want to give advice in an area I am so unsure of. Don't worry though, you'll get some more responses soon. For the most part, the people on here are great and very knowledgable.

Good Luck, and keep me updated.
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

These signs sometimes come up when the enclosure has been cleaned with a bleach solution and not let air out enough before putting the snake back in. The remaining fumes are toxic. It CAN be fatal, but hopefully not. If you clean just be sure there is NO bleach smell in there before you return him to his home. Keep an eye on him for any improvements. I wish you luck

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

I had read this can happen from exposure to chemicals like flea spray but the bleach thing actually gives me some hope that maybe it is enviromental. Since its been here I treated it like all new comers...bath,inspection and placed in quarintine. I don't use bleach often...I use nolvasan. But this snake arrived this way so it may have come into contact with toxic cleaners. (I'm not sure the people who brought her in will be totally truthful!) They also have a very young child, hence my question about rough handling. They were also living in an rv so long term cold, exposure to god only knows what. I'll be patient and hope.

They don't have to be housed together to contract IBD. Some say that it will travel through the air or on mites that can travel on anything and everything. Hopefully it is something that it can recover from and not IBD.

Do you know if this snake has been in contact with ANY Boas???

Has it had mites in the past?

Check the eye pupils, are they the same?

If this snake is wobbling around and doubling up on itself, poor muscle tone....there is a major problem.
Realize the term "IBD" is a generalized explanation and does not define the exact nature of the problem. It sounds quite likely that this snake may have a pathogen that may be doing it harm...
Example, it seems boas have "norm or ambient" pathogens, visuses that may not bother the snake but once they are introduced to a different species such as a python they can be lethal.

A snake that has been overheated may have excess fluid in its skull with then presses on areas within that control motor skills. The snake may act dingy for several days and it magically goes away as the pressure is reduced.

Kevin

>>sold a normal ball months ago and recently they brought it back. Upon examination the snake was very cold, has good body weight. No signs of upper respiratory trouble, a tiny spot of possible mouthrot. I am working on treating the mouth but this snake has something more serious going on. It winds its head around itself. It twists wierd, holds the back part of its body sorta ridged. It can right itself if turned over but something just isn't right. I asked if it had been exposed to toxins but no luck. I have bathed it and am keeping it warm and will hope it may get better with time. Any input on this would be appreciated. It is not just a little head wobble. Thanks for your time.
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sorry for not responding sooner but I'm on the Oregon Coast and we got hammered with 100 plus mile an hour wind and rain for the last three days. Now I have power again...
This snake was living in a motor home with a red tail boa. The guy said they were not in the same cage but I don't know if they were maybe side by side. Any way pupils are normal. Snake arrived very cold. I warmed it slowly but symptoms were evedent before it was warm. I don't think mites were ever an issue. This guy would have come to me for mite help and there were no signs of mites on the snake. Actually other than the motor control issue he looks pretty good. His condition is not improving. My vet suggested humane euthanasia. In fear of spreading this around I may opt for that. Thanks for the pointers. Brenda