• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Help with Ball Python diagnosis, Please!!

LadyOhh

LadyOhh

Ohh, what a Lady!
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
1,534
Reaction score
38
Points
0
Location
Los Angeles, CA
I have a question, pre vet visit.

I just rescued a hatchling.. Problem is that it seems to have some major problems.

It is completely yellow (possibly jaundice). Yellow belly, very bright all over.

It sticks its tounge out constantly. It seems to be dizzy, not very good muscle control at all.. I flip it over, and it can't get up. I don't think it is IBD, but....

It eats well though, actually took a rat pink today. No problems feeding yet. But, doesn't seem to be able to identify the difference between my fingers and a rat pink if I put it in the cage.

Has anyone had this problem with any other hatchlings like this? I'm not sure what it is, will go to the vet soon, but until then, I would love to hear any ideas!

Thanks!!!
 
22392cef.jpg
 
There have been reports of hepatitis secondary to adenoviruses in boids.

The real concern here is the neurological presentation of this animal.

Its possible that the hepatitis is being caused by a secondary infection.

Unfortunately the neurological presentation is suggestive of boid inclusion body disease.

As has been suggested - this animal needs to be in STRICT isolation from any other animal in your collection.
 
I agree with Scott on this. IBD seems a very real threat as this is usually one of the first signs..... good luck..
 
I was told that she would not be contagious to other boids, as she was housed with a group of snakes that were not eating, but none displayed the symptoms as she did..

But, yes, I did consider IBD as a possibility, and she is being housed accordingly.
 
Ack, just because the others didn't display any symptoms *yet* in no way means she cannot be contagious....who gave you this information??

Heather, as much as I love these critters, and as many "rescues" I have taken in....I would not have taken the chance bringing this one into my home. I know you did this out of kindness, but it's scary to take this kind of a chance with the rest of your animals. Please, please, follow the most strict quarantine procedures if you must keep this snake.
 
Whoa, snakes upside down are a disturbing sight! I mean, that is so abnormal.

It looks so thin, is the bulge in post #5 from a meal?

Are you a seller? Do you sell anything?
 
Marjee,

Yes, I had just fed her, and flipped her over to show how she is unable to get up.

She does not flip upside down on her own...

Yes, I do sell, and yes, I have her quarantined in a different house all together now..

I rescued her from another breeder who was going to freeze her.

I talked to several other herpers who tell me that she was just probably damaged in the egg, and therefore is unable to be "normal". I was asking for advice on what it may be, but since the internet does not show much of what I have mentioned, but only that she is upsidedown, most people rush to the conclusion of IBD. I have since taken her to qualified people and gotten the same result.

It is very very very unlikely that this is true, but I have not taken the chance even when I am almost absolutly certain it is not IBD.

People have no faith in anybody anymore, it seems...
 
LadyOhh said:
I was asking for advice on what it may be, but since the internet does not show much of what I have mentioned, but only that she is upsidedown, most people rush to the conclusion of IBD. I have since taken her to qualified people and gotten the same result.
Click to expand...

I only referenced the photo for the jaundice.

It was this statement from your post that indicated the animal had gross neurologic involvement:

LadyOhh said:
It sticks its tounge out constantly. It seems to be dizzy, not very good muscle control at all.. I flip it over, and it can't get up
Click to expand...


LadyOhh said:
People have no faith in anybody anymore, it seems...
Click to expand...

I must say, I think you are way off here. You asked for opinions and when you didn't like those that were offered you blame those who tried to help?


LadyOhh said:
I have since taken her to qualified people and gotten the same result.
Click to expand...

By qualified - you mean a DVM with veterinary expertise?

From your first post:

LadyOhh said:
I don't think it is IBD, but....
Click to expand...

And your last......

LadyOhh said:
It is very very very unlikely that this is true, but I have not taken the chance even when I am almost absolutly certain it is not IBD.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are trying really hard to not believe that this could be IBD.

I appreciate your intentions as to "rescuing" the animal. If you are upset at bringing home an IBD infected rescue and exposing your collection please don't blame those of us who simply offerred an opinion/advice.
 
Scott,

I think you misconstrued my last comment...
I was asking for advice, not judgement or criticism.

I was not intending that last post to be irritated, but yes, I was. I understand all of your concerns, and appreciate the fact that you care about my animals, but I want you all to know that I understand what I am doing.

I know there are people out there who think that they know better when they don't, and I know there are people out there who don't want to believe what may happen. I may be one of these people, but the fact that people assume that I am not taking every precaution already, somewhat bothers me.

I know what dangers and sicknesses are out there, I know about IBD, and I wanted to know, more than anything, if there was anyone else out there that has had this type of problem.

For those of us who have never seen IBD and only read up on it, yes, this sounds like it could be. But, like myself, I have never seen it, and therefore wanted advice.

That is what I was looking for, not people asking me if I quarantine... That seems like a quick judgement call.

I am not blaming anyone... Just feel that what I asked for here is not what I recieved.

And yes, I am trying very hard not to believe it is IBD, due to the fact that with the circumstances in which she was hatched, as she was a hatchling with no contact with other snakes with IBD, only her other clutchmates, it seems very unlikely, which is why I wanted to know what other possibilities it might be..

Honestly, It was partially my fault for not giving the whole story, but how much can you really share over the internet..

But I want to say that people who offer advice by asking if I quarantine is not really advice.. I appreciate the concern, but that is not what I was looking for. I am already concerned, or I wouldn't have posted.....
 
I agree, M. And that is why I'm not really that upset...

Its just a little irking, you know? :)

I posted for advice, and I know that people that usually do this are newbies. I understand that. I am a newbie at this problem, that's for sure.

But, the bottom line of that whole rant above was that I asked for something and didn't really get any answers.

That's fine, none of you are super Vets, and none of you have seen her first hand. I understand that.

Like I said before, I appreciate the fact that people are concerned. I really do. I'm glad that people care as much as I do. That is an awesome thing!

I realize that no one can really diagnose her except for a Vet, but since there are people out there that deal with thousands of hatchlings (not me), and may have seen this, I was hoping to catch someones eye with this post.

I apologise for being irritated, but not getting a solid answer is frustrating, as I'm sure we all know. Maybe I expected too much. It's alright. Like I said, she is in a different house, she is soon to be seen by my vet, and I will let you know what the diagnosis is as soon as I find out.
 
LadyOhh said:
And yes, I am trying very hard not to believe it is IBD, due to the fact that with the circumstances in which she was hatched, as she was a hatchling with no contact with other snakes with IBD, only her other clutchmates, it seems very unlikely, which is why I wanted to know what other possibilities it might be..
Click to expand...

The transmission of Boid Inclusion Body Disease through eggs in oviparous species is possible.

Inclusions similar to those observed in boids have been found in Elaphe guttata eggs.

The only other infectious disease that has the neurological pathology which you have described (including the inability to self-right) is Ophidian paramyxovirus and quite frankly - I'd prefer IBD to the latter.

Is it possible that there is a congenital neurologic defect present versus an infectious agent? Yes.

In the end though, and I'm sorry to say this, the best thing to be done for this animal is to have it euthanized. I would also strongly recommend a necropsy be performed, if nothing else but for peace of mind.
 
LadyOhh , your last few posts have pretty much discouraged me from posting any type of comment or speculation about the snake. You post part of the story, state that you would love to hear any ideas, then get pi$$y with people when they respond. It's too tempting to go through this piece by piece, so I'd better wander elsewhere. One last thing though - you say that you have since taken the snake to qualified people and gotten the same result...what result might that be?
 
I have come to realize this, Scott, but that is one of the reasons why I wanted to post to see if there may be any way she would be right again...

It really just breaks my heart though... She doesn't deserve it, but yes, she will probably not be "normal".

I'm going to put her down tonight. I've been struggling with it for a while, but I know that it must be done.

Then, the necropsy....

I will post again when I get conclusitory evidence.
 
Heather, rescuing is about giving an animal a better life. I know you did this with all of the best intentions, but if she cannot lead a normal life, euthanasia is the most humane choice. Not always an easy choice to make, I give you credit for making that decision.

Is it feasible to wait and take her to the vet tomorrow for euth, so they can do the necropsy immediately after death? I know it has been brought up here several times that a much more accurate result can be had when the snake has not been frozen prior to the necropsy and it is done within a very short period of time. I know this isn't always possible, but it's just a thought if it is......you may get better answers that way.
 
Back
Top