My baby retic died of Inclusive Body Disease, is it contagious to other snakes?

Question

I have a Central American Boa, a burmese and two Columbian boas. I moved the baby retic into the Mexican boas cage after cleaning it and about a week later the retic was flipping over on her back and was really limp. The person we got her from said most likely one of the other snakes is a carrier, so does that mean my other snakes will get it? I'm careful about not handling them one after the other. How is this passed on? Thanks!

Answer 1

How long had you had the retic?  It was most likely the infected one, not the boas that you already had.  This is why I always quarantine new snakes for a minimum of 3 months, and for boas...especially with no history on them....6 months.  IBD is extremely contagious and if the snakes were in the same room and you did not thoroughly clean your hands or feeding tongs, your other snakes will probably get it too.  It is 100% fatal to the snakes.  Very sorry to hear of your loss.

Answer 2

it is know to spred like the flu, through contact between infectious organisms (such as housing an infected snake with a previously healthy one) or through airborne secretions(snakes in the same room can get it), or by the keeper passing secretions from one snake or enclosure to another during the course of handling or cleaning. It is always fatal and highly contagious. At this time there is  no treatment for the disease. I would move all your snake out of the room.

Answer 3

Yes it is very contagious, it can be either passed from handling a sick snake, things a sick snake has touched... and so on or it can be air born. You "need" to have your other snakes check out by a vet. ASAP

You can read more on it here:

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

I hope this helps and I hope your collection is okay.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Yes, it is extremely contagious. It is an airborn virus and any snakes in the same room are very susceptible to it. I've heard of more cases in boas than pythons and it is very possible your C.A. boa has it also. I would quickly remove all other snakes and get them far away, if it's not already too late.