Looking for an exotic vet

[Team Slytherin]

Hey guys! I am on the hunt for an exotic vet in the Los Angeles/Southern California area. When I search online, it keeps sending me down a winding rabbit hole filled with animal hospitals that don't even mention exotic specialties, even when they're linked from sites that are geared towards those specifics! Does anyone have a veterinarian they recommend or a site that is helpful in finding one?

I'd like to take one of my snakies in for a checkup and to rule out a RI. I got him three months ago and ever since then, just every so often, his breathing makes a slight whistling sound. I've been a bit sick lately, so earlier tonight, I thought it was my nose making that sound! But I soon realized it was him. It's not very often and I would assume that, if it was an infection, it would have progressed over the past few months? I don't see any other signs of illness and, honestly, I have a difficult time keeping humidity in his cage up to where it should be, so I don't think that is the problem. It's the rainy season where he's from and humidity should probably be in the 80's. Even spraying twice a day and keeping the top covered, plus a substrate of jungle mix and tons of sphagnum moss, the humidity is only about 70-75% on average. It dips into the 60s and spikes into the 80s on a normal daily cycle, as I mist at least twice a day.

I would like to be able to check inside his mouth for any sign of illness, but after a few attempts, I think it is likely futile. He's far too active and his head and neck are so slender, I am afraid to hurt him. Tried sliding a credit card into his mouth and he looked at me like, "mom, you MUST be crazy." And, even though he's a very good boy, I think it's best practice not to get my face too close to those teeth while trying to pry open his jaws

[Sauzo]

Maybe ask your local herp club or local zoo reptile house keeper who they use or recommend. I would imagine either of those 2 places would have good info as I'm sure they get sick reptiles here and there or stuff that needs yearly checkups. Good luck.

[bcr229]

Herp-related Facebook groups for your city or state are also a good place to ask for a referral.

[Starscream]

Herp-related Facebook groups for your city or state are also a good place to ask for a referral.

Seconding this, that's how I found my new exotics vet.

[Ax01]

the forum has a few vet recommendations here: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...d-Exotics-Vets

i pulled the Cali vets:

CALIFORNIA

Diamond Bar (Orange County)

Dr. Tom Greek
Village Animal Hospital
23379 Golden Springs Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765*
(909) 861-7463
*His office will be moving in the near future, please see website for details*
www.Tomgreek.com

I have been working with Dr Greek for several years now, and he is very kind and knowledgeable in exotics as well as the standard pets. He attends a lot of local herp events, and speaks at the local herp clubs as well. Very involved with reptiles and owns a lot himself. Great guy! ~Heather (LadyOhh)~

Sacramento

Dr. Marianne Brick
Madison Ave Vet Clinic
8520 Madison Avenue, Fair Oaks (Sacto area)
(916) 961-1541

Everyone I talked to in the clinic either kept a variety of Herps themselves or had experience with them. The vet herself was very knowledgeable and gentle with my python, and knew exactly what she was doing. Can't recommend them enough! ~(Dalishar)~

San Francisco

All Pets Hospital
269 South Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 861-5725
Website: http://aphsf.com/
Reptile docs: Alex Herman & Nicola Gillespie

My comments: I have been seeing Dr. Alex Herman for my mammals, and she is wonderful... helpful, friendly, reptile enthusiast, and really seems to care about her patients. Haven't (luckily) had a need to take any herps there yet, but I'd have no qualms about using her when I do. ~(Lolo76)~

Ventura

James Gray, DVM
Ventura Veterinary Hospital
1784 Thompson Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-2797

I know for a fact that he sees torts, turtles, snakes and most other herps. ~Pat (patthesnakeman)~

if u find a good new one, add it here and the list can be updated: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...r-Own-Vet-List

good luck.

[animalrie]

Not sure if this will help you specifically but it could be helpful to others. The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners has a program vets can go through to specialize in a species (this is different from the residency that exotics specialists complete) and you can search for a Reptile and Amphibian specialist in your area. The hoops they have to jump through to specialize include working with those species for a certain number of years, writing up multiple case studies and having them approved by the board, and completing a rigorous 3 part exam on their species of choice. Just another avenue to find the right vet for you!

https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/

[Team Slytherin]

What are you, an angel?! Thank you!!!