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Respiratory virus in ball pythons...

Dr. Gordon just called me 5 minutes ago, and left me a voicemail giving me some new information that is pretty much devastating.

He said he got ahold of a very respected snake pathologist that he trusts to have a broad knowledge of things like what we're dealing with, and when he asked her for her opinion before we sent the bodies down, this is what she told him:

Based on everything we have experienced this far, it sounds very much like a raptovirus -- which is related to rabies. She said they have documented it existing in various collections in Texas (gee, where did the het clown come from -- and I have never told him anything about her seller), and unfortunately there is no cure or treatment. It is basically comfort cares and allowing the animal to beat it on its own, which is highly unlikely. He said the key thing is separation, separation, separation. Keep the obviously infected animals as far away from the rest of the collection as possible (which has been done since October 12th when I moved the het clown into my bedroom, then when I moved the other sick snakes that showed up into my room as well). Clean EVERYTHING with bleach, wear gloves and some kind of lab coat when working with the infected animals, and discard it afterwards. This virus has a good probability of wiping out out my entire collection.

At this point, we are still sending out the 3 bodies for full analysis to determine whether or not this is the raptovirus, and we will go from there. The tests for each sample needed run upwards of $200 each, so this is not going to be easy -- but it must be done if we are going to nail this down.

I will keep updating as things progress.
 
I'm so sorry to hear of your situation. The herp world needs more concerned and responsible keepers, thank you and please continue to share.... I wish you and yours the best of luck.
 
Wow Jen, I am so sorry! Thank you for posting the info, though. I'm going to be ultra careful with quarentining new arrivals after reading that.

Shelly
 
Jen.....I don't even know what to say. I'm so sorry that all of this is happening to you and your animals. Bless you for sharing all of this information with us, and doing so much to help others learn from it.

If you need an ear, I'm here. (Given, at weird hours....but here.) Check your PM's.

*hugs*
 
My sincerest condolensces on your losses Jen......all the trials you've had to go through this year.....if you need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask. I (and I'm sure others) would be happy to donate to help defray the costs of all the tests that you are financing; after all, what you are doing will help this entire community.

Warmest Regards Jen, I'm sure things will get better.
 
FragginDragon said:
My sincerest condolensces on your losses Jen......all the trials you've had to go through this year.....if you need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask. I (and I'm sure others) would be happy to donate to help defray the costs of all the tests that you are financing; after all, what you are doing will help this entire community.

Warmest Regards Jen, I'm sure things will get better.
Click to expand...
I agree. I would be glad to chip in as well...just let me know how I can help.

Shelly
 
The correct spelling of the virus is rhabdovirus -- I'm trying to do some research on it. I dropped off the 2 latest bodies this afternoon, and when I explained how Amazon died, he agreed that I did the right thing in trying to save her and ultimately putting her down before she suffocated on her own blood. He said he would have done the same, so that at least gives me some reassurance. After speaking with a few reptile vets he associates with around the country, he decided that the odds of any kind of anti-viral helping is slim to none. It wouldn't be worth it to try, it would be unnecessary stress on Lily (the last sick one left, my het g-stripe). Also, Interferon needs to be created based on the target species DNA. It has been developed for humans, developed for dogs, developed for cats -- but never developed for snakes as it hasn't needed to be used. What we decided to do is put her on a different version and different dose of Ceftazidime -- Tazicef. The hope is that it will at least kill the secondary pseudomona infection, giving her more strength to fight the virus on her own. I have changed her substrate to paper towels, dampened them to create much more humidity to help her breathe (but not enough to cause her to be laying in wetness), and have upped the heat underneath her tub to create an ambient temp of 88 all around. My vet suggested all of this as he believes it will all assist her ability to fight off the infection.

I appreciate all the offers -- while I feel this is my responsibility to research, contributions would be more than welcome and appreciated. This is definitely becoming expensive, but it is to benefit our whole community if we can get the specifics on this virus, and develop a treatment. I had mentioned the idea of donations to Dr. Gordon today as I had a big breeder that I have bought from in the past offer to help as well, and he said we could easily set it up. He is not coming up with a total bill amount until he gets the charges from the lab for all the pathology, bloodwork, analysis, etc., as well as the results so we know what will happen next if anything else needs to be done (more costs). So it will be at least a week or two until we have an estimate. If anyone wishes to donate toward the costs of this research, please contact Dr. Mark Gordon at:

Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital
6249 Nesbitt Road
Madison, WI 53719
608.271.4212
[email protected]

All donations should be made directly to the clinic under my client file name, and "ATTN: Ball Python Virus Research", and please have them include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail with your donation if possible so I am able to thank you personally.

I will keep updating as things happen -- I'm hoping that we have stopped the spread and that I won't lose any more animals, so please keep them in your thoughts.
 
ive heard of this virus affecting some of the bigger breeders as well..it can easily be prevented by proper isolation of all new animals..once they get it they are definately on thier own to get rid of it..no cure only pallative treatment..we all have probably used improper quarentine at times..this should be a reminder to always quarentine even if animals look 100%... Daytona 05 i bought orange ghost and did not quarentine..i thought no need since it was such a quality animal..well 3 weeks later that snake died and so did 5 others within 1 month..all were in the same rack..that was very stressfull..needless to say i always quarentine now..

i feel sorry for you jen..i hope all works out well for you..its a crappy lesson you had to learn..however i feel its not all your fault..if this was the only animal brought in then the shipper most likely has issues or had issues at his faciltiy and does not want to admit it...just my 2 cents
tim
 
Jen, I'm also very sorry to hear about this horrible incident. To be honest just reading your blod entry makes me scared Sh!tless. Sorry again for your troubles. I'd take BHB up on his offer. Super guy
 
It is definitely a scary thing. Lily is still hanging in there somehow...every day that she makes it through, should give her a better chance at surviving. Each injection she can get is going to help her fight off the secondary infection and make her stronger to fight the virus. If she survives this, she is going to be my miracle snake.
 
*da%n Jen, I have been so out of the loop. I just caught up on what's going on. I am so sorry you are going through this. Hang in there, you WILL get through this. I'll help in anyway I can. There will be a lesser with your name on it when you're ready to rebuild. Stay tough and keep us posted.

Cheers,
Kat
 
She said they have documented it existing in various collections in Texas (gee, where did the het clown come from -- and I have never told him anything about her seller)
Click to expand...

It very well may exist in various collections in TX, but it is in collections all over the country as well. I'd love to see this documentation your vet has proving that it exists in various Texas collections. Care to post it?
 
I am very sorry to hear what has happened to you and your snakes. I will keep you in my prayers. Dose your vet take paypal? If so could you send me the link? I cant afford much but I will try and send a little bit. Thanks and good luck.
 
JenHarrison said:
the virus is rhabdovirus
Click to expand...

Would this type be transferrable to humans thru a bite similiar to other forms of these rabies viruses?
 
KelliH said:
It very well may exist in various collections in TX, but it is in collections all over the country as well. I'd love to see this documentation your vet has proving that it exists in various Texas collections. Care to post it?
Click to expand...

Please re-read what I said. The virologist at the lab in Florida is the one that said they have documented cases of it existing in collections in Texas, NOT my vet. He was reiterating what she informed him on the phone. She will not give us names or locations -- it goes against their privacy policies. The only thing she can do (or he, I don't know which) is match samples from my snakes to samples from the snakes they tested in Texas to determine if it is a match for the same strain of virus.
 
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