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I probably am asking a dumb question... but I wanted to know what it stands for...
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

>>I probably am asking a dumb question... but I wanted to know what it stands for...
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>>Bryan, Atlanta GA
>>
>>1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
>>1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
>>1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
>>0-1-0 Wife
>>2-0-0 Kids
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

np
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

tend to carry or bring in the disease or is it mainly from some other source? I know Boas can carry it for longer periods of time than BP's.

The primary vector for this disease in captivity is snake mites. While these pests are very rare in the wild, they are unfortunately common at import, jobber, wholesale and retail facilities that get a large volume of ophidian traffic. So if you get your babies right from Africa, or better yet, a reputable US breeder, you probably have little to worry about. However, if you happen to get them through one of the other facilites, there is a chance that they will have mites. However, mites are initially very easily cured with provent-a-mite and good hygene. Fortunately, IBD in balls is relatively uncommon and they show signs of the disease very quickly, within weeks actually. So, keep an eye out for neurological abnormalities such as tremors, star gazing, a poor righting reflex (when the snake is turned over, it should attempt to right itself immediately), inability to hit prey and a loss of coordination. Any snake that has these symptoms should be isolated immediately. You don't have to worry about eutanizing bps with IBD, as they will die on their own in short order. The key is to quarantine all new aquisitions in a seperate room for at least a month (preferably several) before they introduced into the main snake room. That way, problem animals can be isolated and dealt with before they spread the plague. Good luck.

Will

The primary vector for this disease in captivity is snake mites.

This is no longer considered true as many infected animals have been identified with no signs of having been exposed to mites. Since many believe it is viral in nature, it can spread through exposure to an infected animal. Import houses and CH facilities ALL run a risk of being infected.

IMHO, CH and import facilities (in general, are one in the same) run high risks of all kinds of problems. But as long as you can pick them up for $9-20 each, they will continue to supply them. To that, I say, "at your own risk".
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I agree that another pathway of exposure is direct contact between an infected and a non-infected snake, such as a breeding pair of animals. Also, an opportunity for infection would likely occur at the site of an open wound, but beyond that I still believe the most common pathways of transmission are external parasites that exchange bodily fluids through feeding. I frankly don't buy most of the stories about mite free collections succumbing to IBD. I've heard the same thing from more than a few keepers who I personally know to be FOS regarding the denial of mites in their collections. Although I also realize that anything is possible and if you have some reliable data backing up other theories of IBD transmission, please drop me a citation, as I'd love to read it. Thanks.

Will

Just do a Google search on IBD and you'll find quite a bit. You'll have to do some extra digging to find the originating sources. That is, many of the articles are reproduced from a couple of scientific papers.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

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