Regular Vet Care

[frankykeno]

Just wondering as we get more snakes and so forth, what the majority of you do about regular vet checks. I'm thinking a once a year fecal float on everybody is probably a good idea. My vet is very reasonably priced and would likely give me an even better deal for a "bulk" check.

Is this a good thought or being overly obsessive?


~~Jo~~

[IamKaervek]

Once a year? Excessive? LOL I was thinking once every 6 months or so for my herps. *shrugs*

[SatanicIntention]

I agree, a once per year fecal is a good thing to get done on all of your animals, not just your herps. Especially if you have added any new animals into the household, it's important to get a fecal on them while they are still in quarantine so they don't pass on whatever they have to your existing colony

[Adam_Wysocki]

If everyone looks good and healthy and is doing what they are supposed to do, annual checks are fine.

A long time ago, a very wise vet told me that if one animal in your collection has it, they all have it ... it's an exaggeration, but his point is that not every single animal needs to be checked every single year. My vet visits my place twice a year, more to see what's doin than to examine every single snake. We look at random animals (about 10% give or take and at least 1 from each rack), animals that have had problems in the past, and animals that I think might have something funky going on. If you know your animals, you'll know who you want checked and who you "just know" are fine.

With smaller collections, floating every single animal is cool if you can, but once you grow, it's ok to "spread it out".

-adam

[frankykeno]

Oh excellent responses, thanks everyone!

Yep fecals on new snakes from unknown sources I completely see or on a snake that's just not right. Fecals once a year on a small collection makes sense but I see Adam's point of doing a cross-section of the collection for fecals....makes a lot of sense when you are dealing with huge numbers.

Always get such good advice here!


~~Jo~~

[Shelby]

With 21 snakes doing a float on each one would be a pricy thing for me.. (it's about $20.. maybe they would give me a deal though with 21 snakes?)

I keep an eye on everyone.. I just got my scale and I plan on weighing everyone monthly to keep track make sure everyone is growing normally. As long as everyone eats sheds poops and generally acts normal, I don't worry about them. I quarantine for three months too..

[IamKaervek]

I just got my scale and I plan on weighing everyone monthly to keep track make sure everyone is growing normally.

With the great deal Matt is having on 1000-gram scales ($35!), I'll be picking one up myself next payday, hopefully along with some flexwatt and those gorgeous Tremper Leo's, too!!

[Shelby]

I got a 55lb scale off of ebay for $25 shipped. Accurate to 2g. It has a remote readout so I can have a big snake in a big tub and still read the display. It's quality too.

[IamKaervek]

I got a 55lb scale off of ebay for $25 shipped. Accurate to 2g. It has a remote readout so I can have a big snake in a big tub and still read the display. It's quality too.

Wow! Got a picture of that, by chance?

[Shelby]

Here's the 35# version.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ULTRA-35-SHIPPIN...QQcmdZViewItem