Inclusion Body Disease !

[gary foster]

Can this disease hibernate and stay dormant in a snake.I had two snakes in the viv they both got mites. 1 became ill refused food and couldnt go to the toilet, and eventually had to be put down.That was december 07.The snake that shared her viv is a 7ft female common boa always sheds fine never ever refuses a feed and eats extra large rats.Could she be a carrier? shound I get her blood and faeces tested?

[BeckyL]

Yes, boas in particular can carry IBD and yet show no symptoms themselves.

Why do you suspect IBD though as the culprit?

[AZUK]

Do you know for sure that the snake died from IBD?
If so it is highly probable that your other snake has IBD as this Disease is extremely contagious.

[Barney_M]

whilst it is entirely possible it was IBD it may not have been - i know it can stay dormant though.

Thing is i hear IBD is very rare. I just had a case of it and now it seems everyone is!

[gary foster]

I must admit I dont know for sure that she had IBD but her body was distended and lumpy in places wouldnt eat and couldnt shed. she was 6 ft long and towards the end her bottom 3ft was limp and she seemed to have no control over it ? Think im going to get the other 1 tested..

[BeckyL]

To be honest that wouldn't make me think IBD. Did she seem to have a lack of coordination? Did she stargaze, turn upside down, etc?

From what you describe I'd even be inclined to think the snake had a broken back, serious kinking or some other physical ailment.

What did the vet say when you took her in?

[gary foster]

lack of coordination yes, I think that was down to her hot being able to move her lower half though. The vet thought that from the distension the lumps on her body and the fact that she hadnt been to the toilet for a very long time it could have been a mass of tumors in her digestional tract. It just seems strange that this all happened after I purchased a bit of wood from a retile shop and they caught mites.....gutted..