![]() ![]() The captive reptile trade is a large and diverse market within the United States. Though additional studies are necessary, these data suggest a role for the novel bacterium in the disease process, a predilection for clinical disease in male snakes, and the potential for sexual transmission of the disease. In stark contrast to male snakes, the presence of the bacterium in both breeding and virgin females was very rarely associated with clinical disease. This study characterizes a granulomatous mucosal disease syndrome of breeding male ball pythons associated with a novel Actinomyces. ![]() In the affected colony, 65.5% of breeding animals ( n = 23) but only 11.9% of virgin animals ( n = 42) tested PCR positive, with breeding status being a significant predictor of bacterium presence ( P < 0.00001). ![]() was also identified by PCR of cloacal swabs of unaffected snakes ( n = 94) from the affected colony and two unrelated, grossly unaffected breeding colonies. Screening of cloacal and oral granulomas using a specific, heminested 16S rRNA PCR assay confirmed the presence of the agent in all 17 snakes, as well as in cloacal swabs taken at the time of necropsy in 11/13 snakes. Aerobic bacterial culture of a hepatic granuloma of one snake resulted in the isolation of filamentous, Gram-positive bacilli amplification, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the isolate identified the bacterium as a novel species of Actinomyces. Postmortem examination ( n = 4, all female) showed oral lesions histologically indistinguishable from the cloacal/hemipenal lesions. ![]() An additional small subset of breeder animals (6/2027 0.3%) presented with oral and mandibular swellings. Extension into the coelomic cavity and liver was noted in a subset of these animals. On postmortem examination ( n = 13, 12 males, 1 female), numerous well-defined mucosal and submucosal granulomas were present in the hemipenes (males) and cloaca (males and female). Lesions were absent in virgin males ( n = 201) and virgin females ( n = 293). In a large ball python breeding colony, a unique syndrome characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the cloaca and hemipenes (phalli) was observed in 140 of 481 (29.1%) breeding males, but only one of 1,446 breeding females. 2Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United Statesīall pythons ( Python regius) are one of the most commonly kept and bred reptiles in captivity.1Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.Specifies any terms which have not been overridden by this Seller's stated policy.Steven B. We do not offer payment plans on animals under $500.Īnimals over $3,000 we require a %25 non refundable deposit and the rest be paid within 60 Days. We require a %25 non-Refundable deposit to hold the animal and we allow 30 Days to pay the remaining balance on animals over $500. Excluding the 25% deposit on payment plans.Īll returns must be made within 7 days and must arrive to me healthy and alive. If you are not satisfied with your purchase you must notify us within 24 hours to receive a full refund. Live arrival is only guaranteed if you are at available to sign and receive the animal. Genetics of all ball pythons and sex of the snake will be 100% guaranteed. I guarantee snakes will arrive to you healthy and honestly represented to the best of my ability. Financial information includingĬredit card numbers, expiration dates, billing address is used solely to bill the customer for their order. Information pertaining to gift recipients. which is provided by the user is used solely for the purpose of completing the order. A $55 shipping charge is applied to adult proven breeders and animals priced under $500.Ĭontact information including email address, telephone number, address, etc. Priority overnight shipping is included on all orders over $500 with the exception of large adult proven breeders. We will only ship when temperatures are between 40*- 85*F. Shipping will done on Monday-Wednesday only by FedEx Priority overnight. Shipping plans will be made after purchases to guarantee a safe shipment for the animals. Snakes will be shipped according to the weather. ![]()
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