Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am hoping to spread information about this virus and what I went through so that no one else ever has to go through this

Edited on December 10, 2007 at 14:05:42 by PHGinger.

Dr. Gordon just called me 5 minutes ago, and left me a voicemail giving me some new information that is pretty much devastating.

He said he got ahold of a very respected snake pathologist that he trusts to have a broad knowledge of things like what we're dealing with, and when he asked her for her opinion before we sent the bodies down, this is what she told him:

Based on everything we have experienced this far, it sounds very much like a raptovirus -- which is related to rabies. She said they have documented it existing in various collections in Texas (gee, where did the het clown come from -- and I have never told him anything about her seller), and unfortunately there is no cure or treatment. It is basically comfort cares and allowing the animal to beat it on its own, which is highly unlikely. He said the key thing is separation, separation, separation. Keep the obviously infected animals as far away from the rest of the collection as possible (which has been done since October 12th when I moved the het clown into my bedroom, then when I moved the other sick snakes that showed up into my room as well). Clean EVERYTHING with bleach, wear gloves and some kind of lab coat when working with the infected animals, and discard it afterwards. This virus has a good probability of wiping out out my entire collection.

At this point, we are still sending out the 3 bodies for full analysis to determine whether or not this is the raptovirus, and we will go from there. The tests for each sample needed run upwards of $200 each, so this is not going to be easy -- but it must be done if we are going to nail this down.

I will keep updating as things progress.
-----
~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

I did a quick search. Rhabdoviridae is the family of viruses to which rabies blongs. Please keep us up to date. It will be interesting to see if they can confirm a specific pathogen. Sorry that this is happening to you, and thanks for sharing the information...

I've found a few articles about rhabdovirus in reptiles. Unfortunately, many of them are in journals that are protected/limited access. An aouthor of one such study was James F.X. Wellehan, and I believe he is at University of Florida Vet school...

WOW! Scary indeed, Jen-My condolences. Hopefully the tests will come back indicating something more benign....
-----
Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Jen, I'm really sorry things are turning out this way. My thoughts are with you.

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

Sorry to hear that. I lost an albino and pied in the same week earlier this year.

i had the same of your problem,was pseudomonas aeruginosum.
i used terramicina long acting(oxitetramicin 2idrated)and all go fine.
baytrill go fine but can make resistant fast.
clean all perfectly because i look that infected boxes,still give patology also if washed normally after 6 month for sure.
also Air purifier is good for reduce air trasmission.
first cause of dead is Airway obstruction.
for this Good clean whitish gelatine which is formed within the breathing hole.
look all animals If partially opening the mouth have air bubbles , means that were infected.
i have some pic but i'm not good to show here,sorry

good lucy
aru
Link

variety. This is a virus, and not treatable by the methods you mentioned.

Steve H.

I have some similar problems and would really like to ask you some questions. Thank You.
Erick Markstaller
203-994-4546