Reptile & Amphibian Forums

((cross posted to health))

My late ball python 0.1 normal died a month ago from an IBD - I purchased a pair 1.1 het. ghost yesterday.

Before placing them in the 55gal, everything was removed and thrown away, the aquarium was thoroughly washed, then filled to the brim with an Iodine sterlizing solution which was left in for 15 minutes. Everything including the new waterbowl and cage lid was left in the solution. Right now the two have the bare minimum in cage equipment (hide box, water dish, and bedding) but my concern comes from airborn IBD.

I'm going to move them out of the room and into an ajoining today, I was wondering how long IBD can remain virulent outside of a host body and what other precautions I should take to assuring the health of these two new snakes. They were purchased together, but should I separate them and reunite them a few months from now? They're a year old each.
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1.1 Ball Python

don't know much about IBD and haven't been able to find out anything about how long it remains in the air. last I heard they weren't even sure if it was airborne. Could be wrong. But my feelings are to keep them sepearate unless and until you plan to breed. If one has it then they'll just pass it on to the other - as you can see I'm not a fan of housing multiples together for tons of reasons.

Just my opinion.
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Also not an expert either but the last my vet told me was they think it's spread through bodily fluid contact, mainly mites and breeding etc. Sounds to me like you have taken good precautions as long as you can be sure there are not mites or ticks hanging around (fumigate?).

I'm pretty sure Isengard recieved it from a mite infection, I'm glad she was so small (probably why she died so quickly) or I might not've seen the mites. The Reptile Relief killed them within a day (Very impressed with that product) and she seemed to snap back (I steralized her tank then, even Reptile Relief'd all of the tank decorations after the washing) and cleaned everything daily to rid of dead mites. Plus its been over a month and with the washing I did, there can't be any left (how long can they live without blood). If it is passed by bodily fluids then...big sigh of relief and weight from my shoulders.

I did intend to breed them, but they're only a year old, should I separate them now and reunite them later...or leave them together? (I would prefer to leave them together but if there is the chance that one could be sick...I'd not want to lose both)
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1.1 Ball Python

Just out of curiosity, where did the infected mites come from (pet store with boas?)? Did a vet diagnose the IBD?

I'm not sure how long the eggs could sit dormant but you probably got them all. It's always risk management. If it where a pair of fire balls I'd say burn your cloths and move to a new house to be sure but sounds like you have been plenty careful. Maybe get one of those yellow fly strips and move it back and forth between the old and new snake rooms to get anything that hatches.

There is always a chance that one snake can be sick and by keeping the two new ones together you double your exposure. The chance probable isn't real high if they are both from the same clean supplier but still at least slightly better to keep them separate for now.

Best of luck!

Actually I purchased the snake healthy and uninfected, the mites came from a mouse though (That I purchased from same store).
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1.1 Ball Python