Vet Appointment

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Hmm think I've only dealt with Ashley(I think that was her name, I don't really pay attention to the employees that much) once and that was just when I told her I needed 1 medium rat, 1 small rat and a large fuzzy rat. So cant really argue or screw up that response lol. I use Bird and Exotic Clinic of Seattle with Dr Bennett. Its a much farther drive than Dr Music but I was recommended Dr Bennett from a few people in the area as a very good reptile vet. She took care of Harley really good so I'm pretty happy. She is a bit more expensive though but whatever. Lol that's funny because the last time I was in there, I was wondering where that little BCI went. And yeah that wood cage was tiny. I always wondered how he moved around in it as when I was up there, he was always on the right side of the cage curled up lol. Good that you got him as you seem to care for him. I just go up there for horn worms as I don't feel like ordering only 1 tub at a time. I buy my rats locally from Maser's as I've known the manager for years and their rats are really clean and kept in clean cages and stuff. Also I really wouldn't worry about the creases. Rosey my big BCI girl has them too but hers are from being a bit overweight as she loved to eat as a baby and I spoiled her by feeding her more than I should have :colbert:

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• Ashley is the owner, she has no employees. Its just her there. Nice, well than i would deff stick with your vet!! At least its in the same family (company) Hehe, since Dr. Music was good to me, ill stick with her. But my pit bulls vet is pricey! (totally different vet obviously) the price you pay for children right haha! Only the best! And your whole wallet! You were wondering where he went? Home with me :) when i held him, he was so happy to out of that cage he slithered all over me and i loved him from that very moment! My boyfriend made me "sleep" on the idea. Haha, so i went home. slept. went to work. and than went and got rue. He's been with me March (friday) the 13th of this year. Im slowly learning, I'm glad i found this forum and that he's been the vet! I will seek advice from the forum family or the vet I will no longer call her haha. And i have about 2 more rats worth of store credit than i will be looking else.

• The funny thing was, I went to get a bearded dragon since i've been wanting a reptile for a very long time. She advised me that snakes are better for my situation (a lot of overtime-work). I held Rue. And that was the end of the story.

• For new rats I will look up the different shops though!!

• The creases were an indication of some sort of neglect or mistreatment thats why the vet was asking me, and clearly, i have no idea about his past so thats why i called her. I hope it sheds out... He stretched out in his new cage, he doesn't stay coiled up. But, in the cage she had him in (wooden po$) he stayed coiled up on the right side because she only had a heating pad, no light. Merp.

• I truly love everyones support & advice!! Thank you!!

They will shed it out. Every time Rosey sheds, her creases go away, then come back after about a week. Like I said, in her case, its because she is overweight so you can actually see where the creases form when she curls up. On a thin snake, I would agree it would be from dehydration but like I said in Rosey's case, its a weight issue as they go away on shed but appear again in a week or so. I know her cage is right as I've had her in the same set up for over 2 years since she was a 16" little one. While I agree with the vet that creases can be caused from dehydration, it wouldn't only cause vertical creases, you would see an overall wrinkly body like the vet said, "a shriveled up raisin". You can google it also and you will find lots of peoples boas have those vertical creases. Like I said, mostly large snakes and overweight snakes.

Snakes don't need lights in the cage. Room lighting works fine for them. I have a light in Rosey's cage since she is in a Pro-Line 48x23x14 HDPE cage and without lights, its hard for me to see in there. She likes to relax curled up usually in her box with about 1/3 of her body outside half buried under her aspen with just her face staring out the door of the cage. And yeah I don't use heat pads at all. I run a RHP with Herpstat 1 for Rosey and CHEs with Herpstat 2 on my other 2 snakes in their temporary tanks until I order their Animal Plastics cages.

As for Hewitt, the owner is Kayla unless you are referring to her mother who sometimes helps out there. I know this because I've talked to her and used to do trades with her of my dubia roaches for her rats and horn worms. Its just its such a long drive, after my credit ran out, I just went back to my old rat place. She also has 2 other people sometime help out, a young guy(guessing maybe 20ish) and another gal although both of those are rarely there. Usually its either Kayla or her mother which I cant remember her name.

And yes beardies are demanding. Harley is spoiled rotten and usually I have to hand feed her and she wont sleep unless I wrap her up in her blanket and let her sit on my chest till she falls asleep. Also you have to cut up salads and coat bugs with vitamins daily as well as supply heat lamps, daylight lamps and UVB tubes. People say they are a beginners pet, I disagree, they take commitment. Much more than a snake.

Bottom line is I wouldn't worry about the creases as long as Rue is eating and pooping and has the right humidity, temps and always has fresh water in a bowl. I personally think they vet is over reacting a little on that part. As for the RI, if she didn't give you something like Fortaz or Baytril, then it shouldn't warrant another $50 vet visit. Just bump up the temps a few degrees to put Rue's immune system into overdrive and he should be able to kick it himself. Otherwise it sounds like everything went great and like I said, good that you found a vet you like and that Rue got a clean bill of health.

Oh and like I said, check out Reptile Snack Shack in Marysville. I sold Bobbie(the owner) some dubia roaches and she seemed really nice. No idea about her prices as I dread having to drive to Everett for Harley's horn worms much less drive even farther north to Marysville lol.

In my experience creases on boa scales aren't always connected to weight. Overweight boas are more likely to get them, but I have seen several healthy boas that have them, mine included. Honestly, if everything else is normal and healthy (and humidity is correct), I wouldn't be concerned.