RCReptiles.com

[Jordan700]

Well, as most of you know IBD is a very nasty virus that shows no mercy. My question is how do you disinfect a cage that has been infected? Will a bleach solution work? Or will the virus die without a host over a period of time? I can't find very much info in this. And the info I do find isn't very detailed. So any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Radical]

Personally I would just dispose of the tank, better safe than sorry, but you might want some input from others seeing as how I'm no where near an expert on this subject.

[Jordan700]

The problem is the cage is built into the wall. Right now we have it in quarantine. Also are holding and feeding tanks are all on quarantine, a thousand dollar unit that I'm not that eager to throw away.

[deborahbroadus]

[Jordan700]

I'll keep searching also...Thanks Deb.

[slitheringin]

Hi Jordan,
Melissa Kaplan's web site, www.anapsid.org has an article on IBD. That has been the only one I've been able to find with any kind of "thorough" general information regarding the disease. As you know, I and another boa breeder have been conducting research on the web and through her contacts into this monster disease. The only thing we’ve been able to come up with is the following.

There is no known cure for the disease. It is thought to be a retrovirus that can be passed on from parent to offspring, or through the air, or via a handler. The word "can" is used because usually the offspring are infected with the virus; however, it has been observed that some offspring have been born without the virus evident. Aerosol (through the air) transmition would occur when a sick snake is in the same room with an uninfected host. Infection by a handler would occur when the handler handles a sick snake and then handles a non-infected snake without disinfecting his/her hands prior to handling. Blood tests can determine to what extent an animal has the virus; however, the test can show an animal to be anywhere from "weakly" positive to “strongly” positive. The only way to "confirm" if an animal has the virus is to do a tissue biopsy, usually in the form of a liver biopsy.

It is believed, however unproven, that mites transmit the virus. So far, anecdotal evidence suggests that collections that have been infected with mites have also been infected with the IBD virus. However, not all collections with IBD have been infected with mites. There are records of both Boa and BP breeders who have maintained strict quarantine procedures, clean and sanitized housing, no records of mite infestations, and have still come up with IBD infections. It is believed that the IBD infected snakes were brought into their collections from outside sources, either WC specimens, offspring from WC specimens, or specimens that had not been tested for IBD.

As for answering your questions about decontamination of an enclosure after the discovery of an IBD infected snake. Nothing so far has been indicated in our research into this subject that decontamination cannot be done. It is suspected that IBD is aerosol transmitted, i.e. through the air, as in breathing, and from parent to offspring. Therefore, (and this is my own opinion and I’ve not yet discussed this with my “partner”) I would think that a thorough cleaning and sterilization with bleach or ammonia, or a product such as Novalasan (chlorhexidine diacetate) or Roccal-D can be used. To sterilize the surfaces, let the solution sit on the surfaces for ½ hour (if using a commercial product, check the instructions for solution mix) and rinse very thoroughly. These chemicals are toxic to both the animal and to you.

[Jordan700]

Thanks for all of the info!! My vet and I were under the impression that IBD was just like Aids in the fact that it spreads thru bodily fluids. And mites can spread the virus, just like mosquito. Sucking blood from one host to another. Thanks again for all of your help!

[slitheringin]

[lindsey_marshall00]

well I figure that bleach should work- not taking any chances however- but it has been found that bleach will kill the AIDS virus, only problem, the amount needed to kill the virus, will also kill the victim.

[slitheringin]

A classic case of the cure is worse than the illness

[deborahbroadus]

[seph]

the only time ive come across mites is with the iguana, the vetgave me a flea spray it worked great on him and his cage, 15 mins and no more mites! dontthink it was tested on snakes tho, prob b good 4 tanks

[deborahbroadus]

[RonCrawford]

[deborahbroadus]

You might want to check this out:

http://www.bobclark.com/bcforums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33942&FORUM_ID=1&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=Ravaged+by+IBD&Forum_Title=Bob+Clark+Main

Since this site has a link that allows us to send the topic to a friend..I doubt that I am breaking any rules by allowing you all to read it. This is one of the main reasons that I do not buy any animals from vendors, and I am going to have my animals tested!

There goes my budget, so no female YB until this is done.