What is Inclusion Body disease?

This is a very serious disease but fortunately it is very rare. This disease has so far only been found in captive snakes. It is caused by a retrovirus and is invariably fatal. There is no found cure for this disease yet!

Which snakes can get this disease?

Members of the Boid family ( Pythons and Boas ) are most likely to get this disease. But both Boas and Pythons are suspects, although Boas are more likely to become "carriers". Pythons on the other hand will be effected by the disease and show the symptoms.

What does it do?

Like I said above that this disease is very serious, this is why, it affects a variety of organs such as the kidneys, pancreas and spleen but most of the damage is done to the central nervous system, most of the damage is at the brain and spinal cord. Usually infected snakes show bizarre neurological symptoms such as partial paralysis, inability to move or turn over and jerky movements. "Star-Gazing" is an effect that infected snakes show, it is when the muscles in a snakes neck are pulled up involuntarily so that it looks like the snake is watching the stars. There are other symptoms like inability to swallow and vomiting. Also the snake will not be able to shed properly because it cannot control its body motions. They die because they cannot eat or drink.

What must I do about it?

This disease is highly contagious and can spread very quickly through an entire collection. Some people believe that it is spread by snake mites. Usually snakes will not show the symptoms until six months later. Therefore you MUST take the snake to a vet.

Remember that there is no cure yet!!