Average Snake Vet Bill?

[Generationshell]

I'm going to bring my Xander to the Vet soon just for a check up and fecal. To check for parasites and what not. Because he hasn't been gaining weight.

I was wondering what I should account for the vet visit.
I know some have an initial fee and then extra for tests and fecal exams. and Med if needed.

Should I call and ask beforehand what they cost for everything. Because I would love for it to be under $100. Thank goodness their are some good herp vets around here :]

I just want to here some peoples experiences and advice on what point you are being conned into paying to much money for something such as a fecal.

Also Do I have to bring the feces in or can they get the sample? Because I'm not quit sure when the next time my snake will relieve himself lol Since last shed he didnt.

Thank you!!

[Generationshell]

I called one vet and they are
$40 initial visit
$22 for fecal.

Is that reasonable?
Im going to call the other vet tomorrow to see how much they are.

[kellysballs]

You need to bring in the feces. I don't know of a vet that can loop a snake and get a sample like they do with dogs. Next time your guy leaves a present for you bag it up in a ziplock and place it in the fridge. Do it as soon as you see the poo. Then make your appointment for that day or the next. The poo needs to be fresh and refridgerating it will keep any eggs in the poo from hatching before it is examined.

My last vet bill for a herp was for a gecko with a prolapsed hemipene and the total cost for meds, removal of the hemipene and vist was $94.

You should call and ask their prices, you will get charged for the initial exam/visit $35-$60 (average), the fecal $10-$20 (average) and some sort of wormer if needed $5-$25 (depending on meds). So I would estimate $50-$105 for the whole thing based on my limited experience with different vets.

Hope this helps, keep us updated.

[bsash]

Well, I live in New Jersey and for the fecal tests I only pay $20 and the vet visit itself is $35 so in total for me it is $55 for everything or an additional $15 if medications are needed. I always collected my own samples because my snakes are fairly convenient and relive themselves often, and I don't like exposing them to other animals too often.

[unspecified42]

The first time I took a snake to the vet the office visit alone for exotics was $70! I think my total bill was $150 for a minor rat bite (she got an injection and some topical antibiotics).

The second time was for a bad RI and my total bill was $71 including the full run of antibiotics in preloaded syringes. Muuuch better!

[loonunit]

It depends in part on where you live, I think? Because I have a hard time getting out of the vet's office for under $150 in Phoenix, when the same treatments cost me ~$100 in Tucson. (typically total cost=visit+examination+fecals+ treatments for flagellates.)

I've had the same experience bringing in my dogs.

[loonunit]

The vet should be able to get the feces if you just bring in the snake. Admittedly, it's a little alarming to watch someone treat your snake like a tube of toothpaste, but it's pretty easy to get it out that way--and it's better to have a really fresh sample, because some parasites are in the feces, while others live in the surrounding fluid. So it's difficult to diagnose, say, flagellates with a two-day old dry sample of poop. (And flagellates are one of the few really common parasites for captive-bred ball pythons.)

But before you take him to the vet, it's worth feeling Xander's lower body to make sure he actually HAS something ready to go in his lower intestines. One time I brought in a female that was so empty, the vet couldn't safely extract a sample--so I had to go home, wait two weeks, and bring her back when she'd done a bit more digesting.

[Generationshell]

AHH I'm confused on whether to let the vet get the sample or wait till my snake poops. It could be a while or tomorrow dang he must be stocking up because he didnt even poop last shed 2 weeks ago!

So there has to be something in there!!!

Well heres some pics. I need opinions as to whether I can just bring him to the vet or not.







Now for some cute pics :]
I could'nt help sharing.



Poor baby is too big for the paper towel roll



Thank you everyone!!

[Bpmike1208]

i never had to take my snakes to the vet ( i only have 4 Bps ) but they all seem pretty good my corn snakes good bearded dragon is doing great and my leo but.......leave it to my dumb iguana to break her tail lol they socked me 75 bucks for the vist and 20 for antibiotics

[maverickgtr]

When we took our girl to the vet for the check up right after we bought her and brought her home it was $100 total. Not sure of what the break down of charges was since it was a year ago, but I think that was just the initial visit.