Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,
Before I start, please don't bash me. I am here looking for help to make the best of an aweful situation. Please give any constructive advice you have and I am very greatful for it.
Here is the situation. I have a four year old male BCI that I have only had for a month. I have several other boas and am familiar with their care. Since I have had him, he has eaten one time two weeks ago. He is in a 41qt tub with flexwatt heat on a thermostat. Hot spot is 88 and ambient is around 80. Fresh water at all times. He has the same set-up as some of my other males and younger boas.
On Sunday, I went to check on the boas in the morning (as I do several times per day) and he was twisted in a corkscrew position. Upon further inspection, he seems to be suffering severe neurological distress. He is unable to coordinate movements with any purpose. He swings his head wildly and if he tries to move forward, he corkscrews more. Between Sunday morning and last night, it seemed to have gotten worse as he has not been able to move forward, but backs up only. When I check his pupils with a flashlight, one is dialated, and the other is not nearly as much. He has not had any physical trauma and shows no outward sign of illness or injury.
I have not used any new cleaning products in the snake room or treated for mites at all. His thermo has been functioning perfectly. I have tried for three days to think of anything that could cause this, and have been unable to come up with anything. All other snakes are fine and in perfect health.
I live in a rural area, and the nearest herp vet would be at least a five hour drive in any direction. I don't think he would survive the trip even if they were able to do anything about this.
My questions are this:
1. Any ideas as to what this could be, and what could be done about it?
2. How long should I let him continue to live like this before deciding to put him down?
3. What is the most humane method of euthanizing a snake?
Thank you for any help you can give! This is very hard to see and I don't know where else to look for help.

I dont want to jump to conclusion but it sounds like IBD aka Inclusion body disease. Here is a link with more information. http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html My friends boa was just diagnosed with this and the symptoms are eerily similar.

Questions did you seee any other unusual behavior like holding part of his body in the air almost looking backwards while swaying back and forth? I have seen IBD and it usually starts this way and the goes to the animal having little to any control over its body. If this is the case make sure you animal is kept seperate from all others perferable in another room. I had a bad experiance about 15years ago that wiped out almost all my entire collection. I even took the route on destroying my cages just to make sure it could not spread. Good luck Can you post any pics? I do feel that the drive to a vet will be well worth thecost and time not only that but the risk of IBD away from your annimals in your collection. MIke Masters

Prior to Sunday, there was nothing unusual. He ate a couple of weeks ago. Pooped a week later, and then Sunday was as described. I have him quarantined, and fortunately have practiced good hygene with him. He is in the same room, but in a lidded tub. I have decided to move him out of the room however.

I would immediately move him and his enclosure into a different room in the house. You will then need to follow a very strict protocol to prevent transferring (the possible) IBD to any of your other animals.

Before handling any of your other snakes or even entering the room where they are kept, you will want to wash (scrub) your hands (up to the elbows). Pretend you are going into surgery. Some people even recommend that you change clothes. Close the door to this room and keep it closed. Only allow people who have scrubbed to enter this room.

The same things should be taking place in the quarantined animal's room. Except you will want to also be sure to clean/scrub before you leave the room.

Get him to the vet ASAP.

However, before you consider putting him down and/or the best methods for doing so, make sure that this is actually IBD or at least something that cannot be cured.

If he suffered some sort of physical trauma (perhaps he injured his head somehow). Physical trauma can take time to heal and the animal may never recover 100% but the fact is that it can heal.

However, from what you described it does sound a lot like IBD. I would contact whomever you got the animal from and let them know your concerns. If it does turn out that it is IBD, then the person you received him from DEFINITELY deserves to know.

You may not be able to save him, but taking prompt action NOW could reduce the possibility of losing the rest of your collection. This means a vet check and an extremely strict (almost to the point of "paranoid" quarantine regimen.

Good luck and please keep us informed about everything that happens.
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Stay United!

I'm still not sure if it's weird that my best friend is a two year old boa named Ronin. He's quiet, non-judgemental and listens... what more could you want?

Thanks for your reply. I am definately moving him into his own space. I will continue to be extreme in my hygene. I can't believe how many times I have washed my hands in the past three days! I am carefully weighing my options as far as attempting to make a vet visit in another state. I have also been in contact with the person that I got him from, and he's fully informed on this. He has not seen any similar symptoms in any of his large collection.
One thing that makes me question the IBD thought is how quickly this came on and how quickly it is progressing. I know there's not enough info on IBD to be know how it is supposed to act, but from what I've read and heard, there should have been some symptoms prior to him being so far gone. At this point, I am expecting he'll be dead at any time.
Again, thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

You have to keep in mind IBD is pretty rare.... and there are several other problems that can cause these neurological symptoms.... Get to a good herp vet..... and watch your other boas closely for any symptons
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Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM