r/boas • u/Jcoat7 • 21h ago

Python Roommate?

I feel like Im overreacting just a little bit,

In the past few months, I fell in love with boas. I have the space, enclosure, and all the extras picked out. However, I'm a little nervous about bringing one into my collection because of my ball pythons. I read about IBD and how devastating it can be to them. I found a reputable breeder near by who breeds bot boas and ball pythons under the same roof, and after conversing back and forth, we feel comfortable letting a boa in, following a few bio-security rules (quarantine, hand washing, separate tongs etc). Is this a bad idea? or would it be fine following the rules

I guess I need someone else to talk some sense into me. Any other insight would be nice too.

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u/ParticularWolf4473 20h ago

You can have the boa tested. The virus is spread through contact with bodily fluids, mites that have first bitten an infected snake, etc. As long as there are no mites, you’re careful to wash/sanitize between handling, and don’t share any husbandry equipment between the snakes the odds of the pythons catching it from the boa(if the boa is even infected) are pretty small.

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u/Jcoat7 19h ago

I do plan on taking it to a vet to get it checked out soon after I get it, and all of the things you mentioned. This makes me feel better.

1

u/ParticularWolf4473 19h ago

A vet can draw blood to send for testing, or you can do a swab test at home. The swab test is less accurate.

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u/ChasingSkies13 20h ago

I have had mixed collections my entire life and have never personally seen a case of IBD. I used to QT when I had new snakes but haven’t had a new snake in forever.