IBD, accurate tests?

[bbalderas]

I'm trying to find some information on testing for IBD. I breed boas and would love to be able to test them without sacrificing them to prove that I don't have it in my collection. I showed Melissa Kaplan's info on running a blood test to my vet and he said that the snake would have to be obviously ill to show those results.

Does anyone have any current info on test that can be done on seemingly healthy boas? Anyone have experience with different lab's capabilities in testing samples collected?

	Inclusion Body Disease IBD

[BWSmith]

Your vet can perform a liver biopsy. The snake is anesthetized and a small piece of liver about the size of a fingernail clipping is removed and placed in a 10% formalin solution. The sample is sent to the lab and ran through an electron microscope. This method can detect inclusion bodies even in asymptomatic animals. The snake comes out no worse for wear, just a couple stitches unless your vet does it by means of endoscopy.

[JMReptiles]

BW...did you get ahold of any of that test info or pics to help me out on my school report?

[bbalderas]

Originally Posted by Stangracer85

BW...did you get ahold of any of that test info or pics to help me out on my school report?

Not sure what you're referring to?

[JMReptiles]

oh im sorry...a few weeks ago i posted a thread and BW gave me some info on the subject and stated hed try to come up with more details that could help me out...just saw this thread on the same subject so thought id check back in. sorry about that.