This is an interesting development, I've read a little about IBD but not a lot because (like others) I was under the impression that it didn't affect garters.

Please keep us informed, because if IBD can affect garters it turns a whole lot of assumptions around. I wouldn't like to ask you to go to the expense of the test the vet mentioned, however it would really serve the garter community if you had the test done and it turns out positive. Would it be the first confirmed case of IBD in a garter?