Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some years ago, my two Boas died of IBD ( Inclusion Body Disease). I was absolutely helpless, (at least at the time) there was no known way to prevent it or cure it. Despite all the research, time, money, effort and care I could put into their well being, there was nothing I could do. It was tragic to see such graceful creatures die in such an ugly manner. I was so discouraged about this that I didn't want to go through that again.

Well, enough time has passed, and I now have the opportunity to rescue an unwanted Ball Python at a local shelter. I consider my self to be good at taking care of animals, and I find rescuing them to be immensely gratifying and rewarding. So, I've been re-researching in order to provide a good home for the python (it's been a few years, and I have noticed things improving). In my research, I found an online article about caring for BPs. And, to my horror, I find the mentioning of IBD!

http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

To my knowledge, it was predominant in boas, and the suspected burmese pythons might be carriers. But, until today, I had never heard of IBD and BPs. I don't mean to badmouth the author of the article, but I do question the accuracy. There is some contradiction in the writing in general, and I get the sense that it wasn't written through experience. But, it does concern me, nonetheless.

So, to make a short question longer... have any of you heard of or experienced BPs with IBD?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give! -Paul

IBD effects all boids, ball pythons are as susceptable to ibd as boas but for some reason in pythons it seems to hit much harder and faster wiping out ones whole collection within month at most 2 months. boas on the other hand are as susceptable but the signs of IBD are much more drawn out over time which is why quarantining ALLLL new boids especially boas for a time period of no less than 6 months for boas & 3 months for pythons,there is still no known cure and transmission includes direct contact,poor quarantine procedures,mites (although not proven)to transmit the disease in some cases mites have been found in a IBD infected collection.IBD is a retrovirus like AIDS and mites can transmit blood from one infected animal to another like a hypodermic needle it is a very scary disease to know that it can kill every boa and python you have in such a short time and there is nothing u can do if an animal is tested postive for IBD or shows signs (neurological probles,stargazing,regurging)it should be seperated and euthanized immediatly.

Thanks for the reply, Ballz. I am pretty familiar with IDB, especially as far as boas are concerened... I learned the hard way. It sounds like a double edged sword that it affects pythons so much quicker. It's unfortunate that it happens quicker (though, in a way, it isn't, as it is a miserable demise to have prolonged), but I suppose this might make it easier to contain.

What I am asking is if anyone has heard or experienced it with BPs in particular?

I haven't personally heard of it in ball pythons and can think of two possible reasons. The reported quick course in pythons is very preferable to boas where they can be born with it and live long enough to pass it to the next generation and all breeding partners in-between. Also, with the high dollars in ball pythons you probably wouldn't hear about it if it did get into a collection some where some how. Hopefully the main reason is that the short life span of an infected ball prevents it from being spread much and it has not and will not become a major problem in ball python collections.

That all makes a lot of sense to me.