question about vets....

I wouldn't go to a vet that "sees reptiles" but doesn't specialize in them. I'd look for one that is an expert. If the vet doesn't know what they're doing and your snake gets ill you could end up paying more on treatment because he or she will prescribe things that don't work which means more meds and more visits.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Inject in the front 1/3? The reptile vets at UF always advocate the last 1/3, so there's no chance of hitting things like.. oh say.. lungs? I wouldn't ever advise anyone to be stabbing any needle into a snake's thorax.

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I understand your concerns and see what you mean. But its recommended to give an injection subcutaneous or intramuscular lateral to the spine in the first 1/3. There is no way to stab the lungs unless you really didn't know what you were doing. Needles for either injection don't go very deep.

All reptiles, not just snakes, have a slightly different blood flow than mammals. This can cause some trouble with certain medications. It has been found that the blood flow in the rear part of the body circulates through the kidney and liver before continuing through the rest of the body. This can result in the elimination of medication before it has had a chance to take effect.

For this reason, it is recommended that medication be injected in a part of the body in front of the kidneys.

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I'm a pre-vet student and I'm personally put off a LOT by people's responses to this. I was planning on focussing in small animal (since it's more common, and I do love it) as well as reptiles because there are so few vets. But seeing everyone so easily dismissing someone to took years and years of school to get where they are just because they didn't pick to focus JUST in that area.. that's really putting me off that idea.

I say meet the vet, talk to them, get other's input on their work and THEN make your decision. :] I know many vets who are talented in species other than cats and dogs even though they work in them. If they're truly interested in reptiles then I'd say they most likely have a strong knowledge in them.

I'm pre-vet(exotic) as well and I agree and disagree. I've met vets that can go both ways. Some that do companion animals and reptiles on the side can do a good or bad job. But in my experience, most vets who specialize in companion animals don't always choose the best way to treat reptiles. For example, giving oral medication instead of injectables. Every vet goes through a crash course of all sorts of animals, but probably won't go into depth as a specialty vet will in that field.

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Sorry if you take it amiss, but 90% of vets in a cat/dog clinic will not have enough specialized training in reptiles to safely treat a exotic reptile.

Sure, there will be SOME. But most will not, because they've chosen to focus on cats/dogs.

It's not a dismissal of those vets as VETS. But if they don't know much of anything about REPTILES, then a reptile owner shouldn't be using them. I'm certain that you wouldn't advocate a cattle farmer to suddenly go to a dog/cat clinic with a downed cow with a prolapse, right? I mean, it doesn't mean that vet isn't a great vet who is brilliant with dogs/cats... but he/she might have no clue what the first step would be with a species he/she hasn't seen since vet school, if then.

I don't find being directed to inject a snake in the front 1/3 near the spine at a fairly sharp angle to be off at all either.

Best bet would be to talk to the vet before you even go there. Ask for experience and references. Ask who, if anyone, he/she consults with if they run into a scenario that is not entirely clear cut. If you're not satisfied answers given, look for another vet. Some people have to drive hours to find a good herp vet, others actually ship their reptiles to qualified herp vets. Better off finding a qualified vet before going to see one so not to possibly waste a lot of time and money and run the risk of mistreating your animal.

ok i feel like a tug of war in this, some of you are saying no stay away, others are saying give her a chance, and the rest say dont bother unless its a vet that specialize in exotics.

I dont know what to do here now.

Thanks to Deborah, i did find a vet whos specialty is reptiles, there are some big diffeences though, that vet is farther away, in different borough (in manhatan, i live in the bronx) also finding parking in that area is close to impossible, also they charge 98 dollars for a routine checkup/exam and 200 dollars if i just show up and have a emergency, while the local vet i was talking about earlier is just 50 for a regular exam and is like less than 10 minutes from my house and has there own parking lot.

Now i dont know if i should just completely dismiss the regular vet who sees reptiles, or just go straight for the one who specialty is exotics????

On a side note did u guys see the picture of the vet in the website of the clinic i posted? shes hot.... :oops:

That list that Deborah posted is helpful but don't assume just because they are on that lists makes them a good vet because I personally took my snake to a vet from that list and was very dissapointed. I spend alot of money only to learn that the guy didn't really know his stuff. I ended up doing more research and found a wonderful vet.

Now, the vet that I really liked is what is considered an "all animal" vet and I couldnt be happier with my experience there. They have several vets and certain ones are more knowledgeable than others with reptiles. I'm in Michigan and this vet is Cedar Creek Veterinary in Williamston, MI. Dr. Nolan is the one that did the very extensive surgery on my Mojave and he is doing wonderful. I would highly recommend them for anyone in the MI area.

I did have an almost 2 hour drive but well worth the comfort of knowing my snakes would be well cared for.

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That list that Deborah posted is helpful but don't assume just because they are on that lists makes them a good vet because I personally took my snake to a vet from that list and was very dissapointed.

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ok, now im even more confused on what to do.

I guess the best advise would be to use that list as a guide - you still have to interview your vet and decide what is best for you.

If it were me, I would go to that vet you seen - give them a shot. Go there and get the most for your money - at the initial visit ask them alot of questions, maybe ask for referrals of other snake owners of whom they give care to. You really need to feel comfortable with where you go - and only you can decide that.

Good luck with your search. I know how you feel - I went thru the same thing and went to three different vets before I found the one I trust and like.