IBD - Contagious??

[PocketPython]

Hello All,
Sadly, i think i will be confirming my lovely Lily's diagnosis any day now... IBD
I have separated her from my other ball python and it is looking likely that the two of them will never meet again.

I'm pretty sure i have eliminated the mite bastards that infected Lily with IBD and my second Ball is clean too.

Can i put them in the same tank again if i am mite free? can the IBD spread still?

My heart is breaking for my precious girl.

Thanks guys

[Redmachine]

Well.I don't know much about IBD And i've never experienced it.But i have read that IBD Is contagious so..If your ball doesn't already have it,She can get it by even putting her in lily's tank.

[eyed_lizard]

How do you know she has IBD? what are the symptoms that have experienced with her?

[Bianca]

"Pythons with IBD often develop neurological signs earlier than boas, and these signs are often more pronounced and
obvious. Pythons don’t regurgitate as often as boas will. Pythons often show a progressive loss of motor function, usually in
the back half of the snake, which may lead to bloating and constipation. Both boas and pythons may hold their tongues out
longer when flicking. Some snakes with IBD are chronically shedding the virus and are capable of spreading it throughout a
collection, before clinical signs of the sick snake are realized."

[vuduman]

Thanks for the usefull information Bianca.Can any snake get IBD?

[PocketPython]

Only Boa's and Pythons can get IBD. Boa's do not suffer and do not die as quickly as Pythons suffering from IBD do.
I'm VERY happy to let you guys know that our other Ball, Vasco just ATE!! a few moments ago!

Please pray for Bianca and I. Pray that this is in fact NOT IBD, and that our precious Lily will be ok.

I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy.

[PocketPython]

We took her to Dr. Shabeer. She does NOT have IBD!! but she is still under special observation for a possible parasite invasion.
She is on a Baytril + Flagyl combination and we hope this will sort her out over the next week.

VERY relieved!!

[Wolf777]

That's good to hear, all the best with any further treatment she may require.

[Leon_Kun]

Just a quick question.
How common is this disease?

[PocketPython]

Well we thought it was pretty common, but apparently it really isn't that common in SA, there are cases of IBD every so often tho. Again, Only Pythons die from IBD, but Boa's can carry it and suffer the symptoms:
-Stargazing
-Inability to correct itself when turned on its back
-Flaccid paralyses of lower half
These are a few symptoms that i know of and they are easy to spot and test so do yourselves a favor and turn your python on its back and see how quickly it turns back on its belly, it should do it immediately.

The problem is that there are other NON fatal illnesses that have similar symptoms to IBD: Meningitis and Dehydration are the two that i know of.

All the best guys

[Snakes4Africa]

Other illnesses/conditions that will cause the same symptoms are a cage that is too cold, a broken back, head injury, exposure to toxins (mite killers are a major cause) and hyperchondria.

[Bianca]

'Scuse my ignorance, but what is Hyperchondria? I have googled this and all I can find is info on health anxiety/paranoia...

[Snakes4Africa]

Thats it!! Paranoia!

[Bianca]

Paranoia in the snake? Meaning she's a paranoid snake? Cos that would make sense considering her behaviour lately...

[Snake Charmer]

Paranoia in the snake? Meaning she's a paranoid snake? Cos that would make sense considering her behaviour lately...

I think some of our collection animals are hypochondiac too! LOL!