🧬 Inclusion Body Disease in Snakes: A Vet’s 2025 Guide to IBD, Reptarenavirus & Collection Protection | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Inclusion Body Disease (IBD) is a fatal viral infection that affects captive boas, pythons, and other snakes. Caused by a recently identified arenavirus (Reptarenavirus), IBD is one of the most devastating diseases in reptile collections. 🐍⚠️

🔍 What Is Inclusion Body Disease?

IBD is caused by Reptarenavirus and is characterized by distinctive microscopic “inclusion bodies” found in infected cells. It is progressive, contagious, and has no known cure or vaccine. 🧫

How It Harms:

• 🧠 Attacks the central nervous system (brain & spinal cord)
• 🧪 Suppresses the immune system → leads to secondary infections
• 🩸 Affects red/white blood cells and bone marrow
• 📉 Progresses to liver failure, GI dysfunction, and eventual death

🧠 Symptoms of IBD

Boas:

• 📆 May carry silently for weeks/months (carrier state)
• 📉 Weight loss, vomiting, poor appetite
• 🦠 Increased risk of secondary bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections

Pythons:

• 🧠 Rapid neurological decline — head tremors, stargazing, loss of righting reflex
• 🤢 Regurgitation of meals
• 📉 Muscle weakness and lack of coordination

🧬 Species Affected

IBD has been confirmed in a wide variety of snakes including:

• 🐍 Boas: Boa constrictors, Haitian boas, green anacondas
• 🐍 Pythons: Burmese, reticulated, ball pythons
• 🐍 Colubrids: Corn snakes, king snakes
• 🐍 Vipers: Captive palm vipers

No specific sex or age group is more at risk — all snakes are vulnerable. 🧪

🧫 Diagnosis

Veterinary Steps:

• 📋 Full history and physical exam
• 🩸 Bloodwork (CBC & chemistry)
• 📸 X-rays to rule out other issues

Definitive Testing:

• 🧬 RT-PCR test — detects Reptarenavirus
• 🔬 Tissue biopsy — to see inclusion bodies
• 📍 Preferred samples: mouth swabs, blood, organ tissue

DNA sequencing confirms the specific Reptarenavirus strain. 🧬

💉 Treatment

There is no cure. Treatment is palliative (supportive care only):

• 💧 Fluids and electrolytes
• 🍽️ Assist or tube feeding
• 💊 Antibiotics for secondary infections
• 🚫 Minimize stress and handling

Most snakes diagnosed with IBD are humanely euthanized due to its progressive and fatal nature. 🕊️

Experimental Therapies:

Some reports suggest certain snakes may clear IBD infection naturally — but this remains unconfirmed. 🧪

🛡️ Prevention

1. Quarantine

• 🧪 Test ALL new snakes for Reptarenavirus (PCR)
• 📆 Isolate new snakes for 6–12 months minimum

2. Snake Mite Control

• 🕷️ Mites spread IBD between snakes
• 🧴 Use vet-recommended mite preventatives regularly

3. Husbandry

• 🌡️ Maintain proper temperature and humidity
• 🧼 Sanitize cages and tools between snakes
• 🤲 Wash hands before and after handling each snake

🧬 Is IBD Zoonotic?

Reptarenavirus is NOT known to infect humans under natural conditions. Risk to people is considered extremely low. 👨‍⚕️

📈 Prognosis

• ⚠️ Poor — IBD is fatal in all known cases
• 🧠 Neurological signs → rapid decline (especially in pythons)
• 📉 Boas may live for months as carriers, but will eventually succumb

📱 AskAVet.com for Testing, Isolation & Care Support

If you suspect IBD, time matters. Download the Ask A Vet app to speak with reptile-specialized vets, get testing plans, and manage quarantine protocols for your collection. 🐾💬

With early screening and strict biosecurity, you can protect your snakes from one of the most devastating diseases in herpetoculture. 🐍🧠💚