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| Boa ConstrictorEnclosure Selection Health Feeding BreedingGeneral Information Mouth Rot Coccidia Shedding Prolapse Respiratory problems Egg Binding Blister Disease Overview Reptiles in general are extremely good at hiding when they’re not feeling top notch. More often than not the first signs of illness are lack of appetite and lethargy, followed by weight loss. Regular weigh-ins and monitoring of how much each one is eating will allow you to spot when all is not as it should be, however occasional fasts of a few months are not uncommon. Lack of feeding should only be considered a worry if the animal is losing weight. Careful monitoring of behaviour will enable you to identify when a particular animal just doesn’t seem itself. Below is a list of common problems in boa constrictors, and possible causes and solutions where applicable. I have no veterinary training and the following is a collection of information I have gathered through extensive research. I provide it here for your interest and education. It is not to be used to diagnose, treat, or as a guide for administering medication and is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary consultation. I accept no responsibility for loss or damage to any person or animal as a result of acting upon the following information. More diseases and illnesses will be added over time. Common Problems and Cures Mouth Rot, which can be caused by rubbing repeatedly against the glass walls of their enclosure, indicated a serious infection and should be treated by a vet. It is distinguishable by the white cottage cheese like substance around and in the mouth, and if you notice this you should see a vet immediately. Coccidia is a very common parasite, and is thought to be found in low levels in most reptiles. When the animal becomes stressed, commonly when moved to a new home or when suffering from another illness, immune responses to Coccidia slow down and the parasite infestation can worsen considerably, to the point where it has detrimental effects on the health of the dragon. Symptoms of Coccidia include lethargy, loss of appetite, and change in stool consistency. Faecal examinations carried out by a vet are the primary way of diagnosing the parasite, and they can provide you with sulfa based drugs to help reduce the spread. However, drug use alone cannot cure the parasite. Meticulous cleaning is needed to ensure all traces of the infection are wiped out from the surfaces of the vivarium. Paper towel should be used during treatment and changed two or three times a day. The entire cage should be cleaned with bleach every day, preferably switching the gecko back and forth between two cages twice a day while the other one is cleaned and dried. Coccidia has a single host lifecycle, which means it can reproduce using only one animal. Small "spores" are released in the faecal matter called Oocysts, which are then spread and re-ingested where they form many more within the gut. Infestation levels can escalate rapidly so early intervention is essential. Shedding takes 7 to 10 days. To begin with the eyes will cloud over and the colours will dull slightly. 5-6 days after the shed began these signs will clear up, and the snake will rub against something rough to dislodge the old skin. This is done from the head down and the skin should come off in one piece. If not, you need to raise the humidity in the enclosure as it is too dry. Often, the eye caps will not come off with the shed and the eye will appear silvery or dull. A damp cloth can help, or you can wait until the next shed and see if it comes off then. If not, you should consult a vet. Small boas will shed up to once a month while adults may only shed a few times a year. Prolapse can occur when a female is straining to lay eggs, or excrete faecal matter. The result is that part of the tract is inverted outside the vent, seen as a dark red mass protruding from the cloacae opening. Veterinary treatment is required immediately if the animal is to be saved. Soak the prolapse in sugar solution to prevent swelling and make an emergency appointment with a vet straight away. The sugar solution will make it easier for the prolapse to be re-inserted, which should only ever be attempted by a vet. Respiratory Infections can result from excessive humidity, and excessively low temperatures for extended periods of time. The infection can often be reversed but increasing temperatures slightly and reducing humidity. Symptoms will include breathing through the mouth (gaping), and laboured or heavy breathing. Egg Binding occurs when a female fails to find an appropriate laying site. She can retain her eggs to the point where they become lodged. It is inadvisable to attempt to manipulate the eggs out manually as you will likely tear the tract. Contact an experienced vet to have them removed. In some cases eggs will be reabsorbed by the female but careful monitoring is needed to ensure this is happening. Ensure gravid females are provided with the necessary areas to lay eggs to prevent binding. Proper supplementation with calcium will also reduce the risk. Blister Disease is a result of temperatures which are too low, unclean living conditions or a damp environment. It appears as a series of blisters or red sores on the belly and low down the sides. You must consult a vet when these occur.
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