Collection Ravaged by IBD

[BWSmith]

Well after battling IBD for over a year now (http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...?t=72726&page), it has finally won. Virtually my entire collection of boas is asymptomatic but tested positive for IBD through extensive liver biopsies. As it stands right now, the following are having to be put down:

0.1 Adult female Guyana
0.1 Adult female Central American
2.1 Het Albino
0.2 Subadult Colombians
2.1 Adult Colombians
0.1 Subadult Dumerils
1.0 Sorong Green Tree Python

I am holding off on my 5 yearling Central Americans including the Phantom because they were born shortly before IBD got introduced and have stayed separate from all other boids. Liver biopsies will be done on each of them shortly, again in a year, and again at 2 years (assuming the first ones don’t come back positive). When dealing with a disease like this, there is no room for assumptions.

Thus far, I have already lost:
0.1 adult Salmon (source of IBD)
0.2 Nicaraguan Boa Neonates
0.1 Adult Colombian
1.0 Hogg Island Boa
1.0 Proven Super DH Ghost male
1.0 Guyana adult
0.1 Adult Burm

There is a small consolation. I have been in contact with Dr. Jacobson who has been working with this disease for 25 years. Because of my record keeping, having a large and diverse group, and having infected asymptomatic animals he has indicated that I have "an ideal research group for studying IBD". Lucky me. So with the samples I can provide, they can perform tests that they have never been able to do. They are on the cusp of a breakthrough with the disease and my animals may be vital to this end. So my tragic losses may help herpetoculture as a whole. That is my consolation and the one thing that makes this ordeal slightly more bearable.

But the hardest day is yet to come. My vet is going to come to the house on Tuesday to perform the mass euthanasia. I will have to assist in heart sticks and tail blood draws as my entire boid collection is anesthetized, Pentobarbital is injected directly into their hearts, and each one's liver is removed and preserved. Due to the number of animals, we may have to put some down on Wed as well. But I am hoping that we can get it all done in one night. This is not something I want to drag out.

If I had not gotten a necropsy and pathology done on the first boa that died, I would not have known that the collection was infected. Let this be a lesson that you can’t take shortcuts and that a necropsy is the final expense for responsible husbandry. You responsibility does not end when the animal dies. That $80 does not seem like much when you look at the literally THOUSANDS of dollars that I have spent on treatments, necropsies, pathologies, diagnostics, anesthesia, and euthanasia trying to fight this problem.

These are certainly trying times and this has been emotionally devastating (the worst day yet to come) and financially crippling. But I am a professional, I can handle it .......... right?

OK, I'll quit whining now.

[Eclyps19]

omg BW i'm so sorry.... i was really hoping it would stop at the ones you had already lost... how horrible....

[Death_ADDER]

That is really horrible...

Steve

[az-gunner]

I'm truely sorry to hear about such a large and tragic loss.

I don't know that I would be able to assist with such a large scale euthenasia.

Best wish for a fresh start, when you're ready.

[jwade1313]

I'm VERY sorry. That's a terrible situation. I hope things take a turn for the better.

[Eclyps19]

Hey BW, if at all possible, could you tell us what has happened to Susan? Did you have a case? If you can't post it on here, please PM me. I'm very curious.

Again, sorry for your loss. =(

[dball]

That is definately tragic BW. Very sorry to hear about your loss(es). I hope this final night goes by as quickly as possible. Let us know how everything is going.

[SevierSerpents]

Whining? Not at ALL, mate. = [


Though no direct consolation, and we certainly would never wish such a tragedy on anyone; we personally would like to thank you for your contribution to helping understand and combat this affliction.

Our sincerest condolences.

- Liam & Cameron Sevier

[scott21]

Jeez man, sorry to hear!

[ssscales]

OMG, do you have any idea how IBD got in your collection?
When did you think, IBD? Did they show symptoms at all?

This is tragic and scary, I hope the rest of your collection pulls through.