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Anybody ever seen "equilibrium" problem in snakes?

HomesickAggie Feb 17, 2004 11:35 PM

I just got a pair of adopted 13 year old Hogg Islands today. The female is massive in my opinion. She's over 6 feet and very good weight. But she acts like she has IBD. That's the best way to describe it. The previous owners said she has exhibited the same behavior in the more than a year that they had her. So it's obviously not that or she'd be dead by now. Their vet didn't know what could cause it but a friend of mine that is a vet and also has his own Hoggs said it could be an equilibrium problem. So my question is, has anyone else ever seen this in snakes, particularly boas?

She twists and turns constantly with her neck and she hasn't stopped moving since she got here 14 hours ago. I've never seen a snake this active or contort itself like this. She makes moves with her neck like roller coaster loops. Bangs her head off of everything. My friend also suggested that a strong antibiotic could possibly cure it. He's going to look at her tomorrow. Any comments are appreciated. I think this is pretty interesting. Just wondering if it's as uncommon as I think it is. I guess I should mention that other than being a schizo, she's in perfect health and the male is also fine except for the end stages of a respiratory infection. I'd really like to get them both up to perfect health. They seem to be really nice animals.

Replies (2)

usnhm242 Feb 18, 2004 01:15 AM

Well from what you are saying it could be a bunch of different things. It could be parasites in the blood or a bacterial issue. You should probably have your vet run a blood and liver function test on her.
Then again it could be signs of poisoning usually from household chemicals, insectisides(like some that are sometimes used to treat mite infestation).
It could also still be IBD, i have read reports of boids living with IBD symptoms up to 3 years before they died.
Regardless, best of luck to you. I hope her health improves.
-Doc Rojas
SSD

Simbo Feb 18, 2004 07:33 AM

I agree with Doc, have a vet run some blood tests on your boa. It sounds to me like your boa possibly has some sort of nerve damage.
Good luck. Let us know how things turn out for you.

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