deadheadvet said:The best way for me to put this is:
Those with large, valuable collections will test and quarantine new additions because it will limit spread and exposure of dangerous pathogens. Those with small collections or individual animals, or
Tortoises on the inexpensive side, will see this only as a dollars and cents thing and can't justify the cost of the test. That is a hurdle that serious tortoise keepers will never be able to overcome. That is why this disease will be difficult to overcome. The failure of collectors to test will continue to cause the spread of this organism. I have passed on numerous purchases because the seller refused to test their animals.
All true statements. But I would also add this...there are those who have collections that have had no new introductions for over a year, or even two years and have never had any illness issues or symptoms during that time. I would include myself in this group. Should these people also test their animals or is it safe to assume (I know, this is stupid to do) they are 'clean'.
Testing would be great if it was simple and inexpensive. BUT, my local veterinarian only does the cloacal swab for $50.00. I then have to take the swab to FedEx myself (which is another $40.00) and have it sent to the University of Florida which I am told charges another $100.00 per test. If I have 10 animals in my collection you're starting to talk about some serious money to test for something I have never seen a symptom of.
So I can understand why many keepers aren't all jumping on the bandwagon to test their collections. It may not be the best situation, but I understand it.