I recently purchased a six-month old ablino boa (B.c.imperator) from a well known and respected breeder.
Shortly after arrival the animal had a very mushy stool.
a week later, after eating it's first meal, the snake had a second mushy stool, again abnormal in texture and four smelling. A sample of this stool was sent to my vet for testing.
A fecal showed no parasites, but a lab culture tested positive for abundant growth of Escherichia Coli and light growths of Enterobacter species and of Samoniella species.
My vet feels this is a serious problem and showed be treated by medication.
The test results were sent to the breeder, who in turn forwarded to his vet. This vet felt this a normal reaction to an animal subjected to shipping stress and requires no treatment other than sound husbandry.
It was further emphasized that these baceteria's are commonly found in most snakes.
Both vets are experienced in the treatment of reptiles.
I would greatly appreciate the experience and opinion of the forum members as this situation has me caught in the middle of varying, professional opinions.
I might add, the breeder has offered to take the animal back from the very begining, though I do worry about it being re-subjected to shipping stresses. It's outwardly fine, but if it was to die in return shipment, I'm sure it could be a point of contention between myself and the breeder.
Thank you.
