Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading the post below about BD and say Laurafl say can get it due to inactivity. Is this true?
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

Let me expound on my previous post...

Snakes only have one major functioning lung (right), although boids have a lot of function in their left lung as well. Snakes do not have a diaphragm, so they cannot cough. They also have a long, thin trachea compared to other animals, and this makes clearing secretions and foreign bodies more difficult for them.

I did not mean to imply that inactivity is the cause of an RI, it is a part of husbandry that can contribute to any sickness. Many of the viruses and bacteria that cause RI are things that can be in a snake's environment at any given time. Why are they not all sick? Because we try our best to keep them at optimal temps and humidity levels, and in clean environments. Activity also helps keep things moving, increases respiration, and gives large, heavy-bodied boids a chance to stretch out their bodies and respiratory tracts. It easy to keep a colubrid in a bigger enclosure, but harder to accommodate a 12 ft snake in a cage that allows it to fully stretch out. Just like any animal, they need exercise. When I mentioned inactivity as a contributing factor to RI, the vision I had in my mind was the large python kept in a too small tank that is often forgotten and never taken out for a crawl.

Hopefully that makes more sense than my original post.

I just found that to be an interesting point. Thank you for more explination.
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

I have a green burm and it is pretty scary 2 know ur burm can seem healthy 1 minute then be dead the next.Hope mines doesn't get BD she would be severely missed by my whole family.

Having kept and rescued many burms over the years at my facility, there is no doubt in my mind that exercise is just as critical a component as proper temps and humidity levels - none are exclusive and w/out close attention to each, RI can occur. This is one of the most common fallacies in proper burm care. Most folks keep their burms in enclosures that are far too small, or, receive no opportunities for regular exercise - sure, these are fairly sedentary animals but they still need to move about. Most burms kept in large enclosures with the proper thermal gradients and high humidity (with good air flow) rarely exhibit RI.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Let me expound on my previous post...
>>
>>Snakes only have one major functioning lung (right), although boids have a lot of function in their left lung as well. Snakes do not have a diaphragm, so they cannot cough. They also have a long, thin trachea compared to other animals, and this makes clearing secretions and foreign bodies more difficult for them.
>>
>>I did not mean to imply that inactivity is the cause of an RI, it is a part of husbandry that can contribute to any sickness. Many of the viruses and bacteria that cause RI are things that can be in a snake's environment at any given time. Why are they not all sick? Because we try our best to keep them at optimal temps and humidity levels, and in clean environments. Activity also helps keep things moving, increases respiration, and gives large, heavy-bodied boids a chance to stretch out their bodies and respiratory tracts. It easy to keep a colubrid in a bigger enclosure, but harder to accommodate a 12 ft snake in a cage that allows it to fully stretch out. Just like any animal, they need exercise. When I mentioned inactivity as a contributing factor to RI, the vision I had in my mind was the large python kept in a too small tank that is often forgotten and never taken out for a crawl.
>>
>>Hopefully that makes more sense than my original post.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I think it's good that you asked about this, and I also think Lauara clarified her earlier comment. Here's my 2 cents worth:

More often than not, RI is caused by overexposure to inadequate temperatures and/or humidity levels. It can also be caused by several other things, most, if not all, fall under the broad umbrella of "husbandry." Exposure to mold pores, transmission from one infected snake to another, and a few other ways.

Secondary aids to the development of RI can be one or many combined. Inability to exercise, improper feedings, dirty cages, etc... And it could be said that those things also equate to or can cause, stress. Stress weakens the immune system.

I mention all this, not as a counter-claim to Laura's clarification of her earlier comment, but as an addition.

I also got a kick out of Laura's disclaimer in the other post, something to the effect of "No, I'm not a Vet, nor do I play one on TV." Ha! Ha!

Here's my disclaimer:
No, I'm not a Vet or an expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

As for BD (Burm Disease), I've read bits & pieces about it here & there but can't recall enough to state a reasonable opinion it. If memory serves me correct I don't think it's a broad-sweeping epidemic at this time but something that owners should keep in mind and help each other by sharing their experiences along the lines of the symptoms & lifespan of their burms.

Later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Yeah, I have to watch myself on my post sometimes. I read the message boards in the mornings, usually at about 7am with my first cup of coffee. Sometimes I go back and reread things and I think, "Why the heck do I say it like that?" I think the inactivity comment came out like that. Sorry about any confusion or making myself look like a wacko!

I do agree that temps and humidity are the major husbandry issues in regards to RI. And it may not be that a keeper is practicing bad husbandry, maybe that particular snake has a higher requirement. I'm not familiar with BD, but I can't but wonder if there's a genetic component. Not necessarily from inbreeding, just a hereditary trait that makes certain snakes more susceptible to certain germs. Or, if the particular bug that is causing the RI is a fungal or viral issue that would not be responsive to antibiotics.

Well, if it's any consolation to you, Laura, I had a pretty good idea of what you meant in that other thread.

I've done more than my share of thinkging one way but saying it another. Ha! Ha!

Take care!
Mike
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American