Quote Originally Posted by ConcinnusMan View Post
Now, what was described just doesn't sound like a neurological problem at all. No tremors? No vibrating? No problems moving around? Just sudden rolling and mouth open, etc.
No, the sudden rolling was describing the first seizure. d_virginiana's right, I did say in my first post that afterwards he's acted lethargic, slithering erratically, and seems unable to keep himself upright. He's had at least four more small episodes like this since, being in the enclosure without me touching or interacting with him at all, some of which I've witnessed more of. It's like he suddenly flails, then seizes up in a varying "crinkled" position, often with the tip of his tail tremoring while the rest of his body is still. Twice I've seen him flick his tongue out during one of these, holding it out for several seconds while he's seized. It seems like after the second and third times, his motor control's worsened. He tends to the left even when slithering slowly (a 'circling' behavior I've seen and known to be caused by neurological issues in mammals, for what it's worth- I know reptiles are different.)

We just got back from the vet. He told me that it is definitely a neuro issue, and after further examination and calling two specialists, told me that he thinks it's inclusion body disease. He told me that there is a test they can do to determine this for sure, but heavily implied that he didn't think it was worth doing. He said that parasites and vitamin deficiencies are other possibilities, though he seemed fairly well convinced that it is IBD. He told me he wanted to give me time to think about it and wasn't going to euthanize him today, but if this is what it is then there is no treatment. The vet also offered to refer me to a specialist a couple hours away if I was inclined to get a more in-depth opinion.

He did give my snake a thiamin shot, stating that it won't hurt anything and in case it might help. I plan on doing my own research on IBD- I've only read about it incidentally, as I've only ever seen it referenced in relation to python species. What do you think? Should I get a second opinion (from the specialist or my usual vet?) Is it worth having the test done? Should I just try and manage it for the next few days and if he continues to seize/fails to eat, have him PTS? I plan on giving it at least a couple days to see if the thiamin shot helped, but I won't let him suffer or starve to death.