What are common signs of IBD? Is this an infection that can be cured with medication?
FH
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How can you tell if snake has IBD?
fhayden1
Oct 20, 2004 09:19 PM
Replies (3)
oldherper
Oct 20, 2004 09:46 PM
I tried to answer your email regarding IBD, but the email was returned as undeliverable. Do you have a new email address? Anyway, I'll cut and paste in here what was in the email:
Hi Frank,
Unfortunately, what you describe does sound like the symptoms of IBD (Inclusion Body Disease). It is called Inclusion Body Disease because of the characteristic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the cells of certain organs that mark the disease. It is caused by a retrovirus. There is no cure or treatment at this time. The "stargazing" is a neurological symptom caused by invasion by the virus into CNS nerve tissues. There is ongoing research at the University of Florida. I think they may have recently come up with an assay that can be done either from tissue biopsy or blood from living specimens. I know that they have isolated two isolates and a polyclonal antibody has been raised in rabbits for at least one isolate. So, they may now have an antibody assay that can be done from blood (serological assay).
IBD is a highly contagious disease. It has been shown to be readily vectored from cage to cage by snake mites (Ophionyssus natrisis), and possibly even by the keeper's hands.
My immediate advice would be to quarantine that specimen as soon as possible to a different room and do not allow any contact whatsoever with the rest of your collection. That means do not interchange water bowls, cage furniture, etc. and make sure you work in that cage last when you are cleaning, feeding, etc. and then wash your hand thoroughly with a good disinfectant soap.
Then contact your veterinarian and if he (she) is not familiar with the disease and how to diagnose it, have him contact:
If you will email me at germag@bellsouth.net I will provide you with Dr. Jacobson's contact information.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson
fhayden1
Oct 21, 2004 10:32 AM
Hi. I spoke with Dr. Jacobson last night. He said it's a good probability that it's IBD. I spoke with another herper friend of mine and he said it could also be an infection. So I guess, I'll take her to a vet to verify. She is eating and can turn upright on her own. Shes acting as if her neck is broken. If I put some prey in her box she will eat it and thus far has no regurged.
FH
oldherper
Oct 21, 2004 04:04 PM
>>Hi. I spoke with Dr. Jacobson last night. He said it's a good probability that it's IBD. I spoke with another herper friend of mine and he said it could also be an infection. So I guess, I'll take her to a vet to verify. She is eating and can turn upright on her own. Shes acting as if her neck is broken. If I put some prey in her box she will eat it and thus far has no regurged.
>>
>>FH
Sounds like a good plan. Just remember they don't always show the full range of symptoms with IBD. Boas usually will regurgitate and end up with respiratory problems, but not always. Pythons usually only have neurological symptoms, especially Burmese Pythons. It is also progressive...it gets worse with time.
Do make sure that you get that snake away from the rest of your collection, though.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson
