So when I got the baby burm I was quite hasty and stupid. Missed out a lot of information including contact info with the breeder. Live and learn. So I have read about IBD and one symptom is spastic movement (my interpretation). The baby does move his head quite unnaturally, not in a flowing movement, during times of handeling. Well, not really handeling, more like when I allow him to roam and am not being a distraction. His head and only his head do a little robot impression sometimes. Anyone seen this before? Is there reason to worry? I am very nervous because I recently got a beautiful red tail boa for $10 and cannot afford another (not at retail, and this one is exactly the colors we love) should the disease spread, also we have two ball pythons I've grown attached to.
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IBD or just ackward baby?
Replies (4)
Well Im not familiar with IDB, but I have an 11 month old burm who has head shakes? Its also not during immediate handling but rather when I put him down or back into his cage his head will almost siezure like shake for a moment then stop. It never really concerned me because I had a vet check him before and got nothing but compliments but failed to mention the head shakes. My other burm doesnt do it at all so Im not sure if I should be worried, maybe someone else can help me out too
My snake does the same thing (head shakes) as hes feeding. Its as if hes stressing himself out, bc he shakes as he takes in rats. Hes done it since he was a baby but is feeding fine and is growing very well. I recently switched him over to frozen feeders and the shakes seem to be stopping...less effort i guess.
Almost all burms do this. I am not sure why but most tend to have quick little head jerks. I would not worry at all about it. IBD is a neurological disorder that os often referred to as "stargazing" because of the common symptom of the snake just starring at the ceiling. Hope this helps a little, Todd
Thats good to know. Unfortunately I have seen some red tails "star gazing" and feel sorry for them. Fortunately my red tail doesn't exhibit this "trait". 
Thanks for the replies. 
