RCReptiles.com

[pdig69]

HeLLO

Here is a picture of what my pastel does when I walk with him around the house.



I begin walking around the house and he puts his head up like that and doesn't move and becomes relatively stiff. He's a bit slower than the rest of the children I have. I caught him looking up, not straight straight, but at an angle pretty close to straight up with about four inches off the ground. i've caught him a couple times. I've visually checked him for mites and see nothing. No other signs have been noted besides this! I need some suggestions?

Would it be bad if I were to give him something for parasites without diagnosing him first?

Does every Ball Python have that IBD virus when they stargaze? Or could this just be a case of parasites if he is sick?

[arlynos]

might be a good time to go to the vet, though till you do I would separate it from your other ball if you have one, you dont want to transmit though it may be to late, but she may just be looking around to find somthing to get on. But a vet would be the best thing to try first.

[pdig69]

Would you or anyone know what test would need to be performed to check for the IBD virus? Is it a blood test or a simple fecal matter test?

I have a spider that does nearly the same thing too, they were housed together, but for only a week. If my pastel were to be sick, would a few days time be enough for the spider to become sick and start stargazing?

Another thing, my spider spends a decent amount of time over her water dish just chillin out. her tub is quite humid so she's not dehydrated at all. Is this a sign of something not good?

I'm so worried my four snakes are not healthy, but I don't want to spend 600 bucks on tests!

Are there anti-parasitic products i can give these guys/gals without testing them? I'll monitor them for a few months and check their progress.

[deborahbroadus]

Please do a search on the IBD virus in Ball Pythons and become familiar with the symptoms.

There are many things that could be the "cause."

1. Curious and looking around
2. R.I
3. On a substrate that is toxic and it's affecting his nervous system.
4. IBD
5. Another illness

If it is IBD then the snake will be contorting and will be dead shortly and so will the other snake that it was housed with contrary to quarantine procedures. There is another illness out there but last I heard it now has a quarantine against it. Research Pink Lady Constrictors.

If it is an R.I you will probably hear wheezing sounds and the snake fights for breath and the sides will "bellow" as it gasps for air.

If it is on a toxic substrate it will eventually get worse.

Only your VET could tell you what was wrong with it (assuming you found a knowledgeable one.

If it is just curious and looking around there is nothing wrong and you have ducked a bullet.