Treating a Blue-tailed Monitor for a Leg Infection

I find Snake Discovery videos where Emily and Ed have to take an animal to the vet very educational. In this one, they treat a blue-tailed monitor with a nasty leg infection. Even if you don't have a blue-tailed monitor (and who does?), you can learn a lot about recognizing and treating infections in reptiles. That's useful info for any keeper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf42GgHO5B0

I agree, that's an excellent video (thanks for sharing!) and that is an awesome rescue- what a lucky monitor, for all the suffering he went thru to get healthy & vibrant again. :gj: He's in very good hands now. :)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I agree, that's an excellent video (thanks for sharing!) and that is an awesome rescue- what a lucky monitor, for all the suffering he went thru to get healthy & vibrant again. :gj: He's in very good hands now. :)

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You know what would be really educational? Showing us the bill.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

You know what would be really educational? Showing us the bill.

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:D You've got that right! For many owners, this monitor would have been euthanized when faced with the risk (of losing anyway) versus possible reward (ie. success + the bill). He was in bad shape- lucky he wasn't septic. But I love seeing herp vets take these cases on, because that's the only way they learn what CAN be done successfully.

The bill may not be accurate though either.
I know my vet hospital would discount procedures for rescue groups, so they most likely are getting one there as well.

Some of the numbers I've been dealt or had given others for similar procedures before:
A quick breakdown though is probably around 2-5k depending on some factors for the average person.
X-rays would probably run around 175-300$ depending on how many views are needed.
Meds can run up to 300$ depending on type, how often and so on...
600$ for blood work and culture of the discharge, unless they really had to run some extensive tests... Then more.
The surgery is really the big ?? here. If it was an abscess only? Probably not too bad all. It would be a bit worse than an average abscess because of the amount of necrotic tissue to remove and upping the length of anesthesia would increase costs. If they did have to do any type of repair to the bone then that would be more costly.
Drain removal isn't usually charged for unless the animal needs to be sedated for it. Considered part of the surgery recheck.

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

The bill may not be accurate though either.
I know my vet hospital would discount procedures for rescue groups, so they most likely are getting one there as well.

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I'm sure. Add to that the bulk discount and the value of advertising to Snake Discovery's 2.87 million subscribers, and that vet probably ended up paying them.

Bottom line- exotic pets can make for exotic vet bills- pet buyers beware! The price of an animal & the initial enclosure for it is just the beginning.