Interesting comment from the vet.

Talked to the vet I use for my cats and dog. And he offered up a little reptile advice that didn't seem right. He doesn't practice on reptiles but he said he likes to study about them. Still this didn't seem to jive with what I know.


He said you should dust the mouse with vitamin A before feeding because RI was caused by a lack of Vitamin A and sunlight. As well as poor temps and other bacteria.


I know the temps part is right but I have never heard of dusting mice with vitamins. and I know BP's atleast are nocturnal so they really have no need for light.


I don't think he's right but I was just interested in seeing what everyone else thought.

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Originally Posted by Seru1

Talked to the vet I use for my cats and dog. And he offered up a little reptile advice that didn't seem right. He doesn't practice on reptiles but he said he likes to study about them. Still this didn't seem to jive with what I know.


He said you should dust the mouse with vitamin A before feeding because RI was caused by a lack of Vitamin A and sunlight. As well as poor temps and other bacteria.


I know the temps part is right but I have never heard of dusting mice with vitamins. and I know BP's atleast are nocturnal so they really have no need for light.


I don't think he's right but I was just interested in seeing what everyone else thought.

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umm i disagree with him that doesn't seem to make sense imo

BPs have no requirement for UV rays. You are right about it not sounding right. You should never have a sick snake as long as its husbandry is correct. They get all the vitamins they need from the rodents they eat. Your vet need to study a little more lol :weirdface

Diurnal reptiles like lizards and tortoises can suffer from vitamin A (and other vitamin) deficiencies and also UV deficiencies (which usually manifest themselves as nutritional deficiencies from not being able to absorb vitamins and nutrients properly without proper UVB/UVA) if not provided with the proper care and lighting, but the same does not apply to ball pythons and most nocturnal reptiles.

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

BPs have no requirement for UV rays. You are right about it not sounding right. You should never have a sick snake as long as its husbandry is correct. They get all the vitamins they need from the rodents they eat. Your vet need to study a little more lol :weirdface

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Yeah I told him rodents provide a complete diet for snakes, but I was trying to be nice because he's a nice old man.

Still it made me glad I have a separate knowledgeable reptile vet 20 miles from me.

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He doesn't practice on reptiles but he said he likes to study about them.

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Well tell him to keep studying :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Well tell him to keep studying :rofl:

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:rofl::rofl:

Your a mindreader I made the same joke when I was telling my roomate

I think some of these comments are unfair. I know breeders that supplement their rats before feeding them to their boas. It's not like he telling you you're negligent for not doing it. He probably just read something about hypovitaminosis A and thought he was offering helpful advice. Besides Emily, some snakes are diurnal!

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

I think some of these comments are unfair. I know breeders that supplement their rats before feeding them to their boas. It's not like he telling you you're negligent for not doing it. He probably just read something about hypovitaminosis A and thought he was offering helpful advice. Besides Emily, some snakes are diurnal!

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I did of course thank him for his advice, if I thought it was total bunk I would not have asked people here for there thoughts would I?

He's a good vet and a smart man.

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

I think some of these comments are unfair. I know breeders that supplement their rats before feeding them to their boas. It's not like he telling you you're negligent for not doing it. He probably just read something about hypovitaminosis A and thought he was offering helpful advice. Besides Emily, some snakes are diurnal!

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I highly doubt the OP is going to go back and tell the vet he doesnt know what he is talking about and that he should keep studying. Yes many of us suppliment our rodents. Those of us who breed our own usually give them extra treats and change up their diet both for the rodents AND for the snakes that eat them. You are right that is is not harmful advice from the vet. It really isnt plausible at all tho. Would your BP eat anything that was dusted with something which smells nothing like a rodent? This would change everything about the rodent. The smell, texture, taste. This is why it is silly advice. The better thing would be to say suppliment the rodents with vitamins. If he gives this advice to other nocturnal snake owners, people who know no better will try it. Then they will most likely have snakes refusing their food. Its not like dipping a rodent in chicken broth.

This raises an interesting thought...

We (as in pet owners in general) always say "when there's a problem, go talk to your vet" - yet there are countless occasions where vets offer up advice that is completely nonsensical and sometimes even wrong.

Vets are usually the authority on what's right and wrong with animals - yet people with years of hands on experience have different views on particular subjects, and may not even have a college degree of any sort.

So, who is a newb to trust these days? :confuzd:

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Originally Posted by nate

this raises an interesting thought...

We (as in pet owners in general) always say "when there's a problem, go talk to your vet" - yet there are countless occasions where vets offer up advice that is completely nonsensical and sometimes even wrong.

Vets are usually the authority on what's right and wrong with animals - yet people with years of hands on experience have different views on particular subjects, and may not even have a college degree of any sort.

So, who is a newb to trust these days? :confuzd:

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see a reptile vet not a dog vet :p

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Originally Posted by Nate

This raises an interesting thought...

We (as in pet owners in general) always say "when there's a problem, go talk to your vet" - yet there are countless occasions where vets offer up advice that is completely nonsensical and sometimes even wrong.

Vets are usually the authority on what's right and wrong with animals - yet people with years of hands on experience have different views on particular subjects, and may not even have a college degree of any sort.

So, who is a newb to trust these days? :confuzd:

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~This is why I feel fortunate that I have an amazing exotics vet who in the last 15 years has treated 2 snakes and couple birds of mine. He is only at the animal hospital I go to 2 or 3 days a week because he needs to go to other animal hospitals so often. Many vets who see snakes will also see dogs and cats so the information they have is just side work for them. My vet is strictly an exotics vet and only treats exotics. I wish everyone had access to a vet like this. Of course their advice is usually restricted to medical advice.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

see a reptile vet not a dog vet :p

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:gj:

A newb is supposed to read up before they buy. duhhhh. although sometimes that seems a little too much to ask these days. Oh well.


And yes, I've dusted rodents before (dipped pinkies in vitamins). Didn't affect feeding at all. I also know someone that supplements all frozen thawed rodents for pigmentation.

I'm just saying in breeding animals, etc. it isn't the worst idea.

This is why we take our snakes to vets who are qualified for exotic pets instead of domestic pets:gj:

I have a reptile vet to. I just went to this one to get my roomate's dog a checkup.

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

A newb is supposed to read up before they buy. duhhhh. although sometimes that seems a little too much to ask these days. Oh well.


And yes, I've dusted rodents before (dipped pinkies in vitamins). Didn't affect feeding at all. I also know someone that supplements all frozen thawed rodents for pigmentation.

I'm just saying in breeding animals, etc. it isn't the worst idea.

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Yeah me too. I used to supplement my rats with spray calcium for gravid and building females and a few times a year give everyone amino acids in the form of spray on a prey item and it never affected feeding responses. LOL they where strawberry and other fruit flavored LOL

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Would your BP eat anything that was dusted with something which smells nothing like a rodent? This would change everything about the rodent. The smell, texture, taste. This is why it is silly advice. The better thing would be to say suppliment the rodents with vitamins. If he gives this advice to other nocturnal snake owners, people who know no better will try it. Then they will most likely have snakes refusing their food. Its not like dipping a rodent in chicken broth.

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I see what your trying to say, but I dont necessarily buy it. A little vitamin dust is not going to over power the original smell of the rodent.

I know a few people that have done similar things with absolutely no negative response to the feeder.

I am not saying they need vitamins, just saying that perhaps your logic in this case is a little too obtuse.

Not an attack by any means, just a simple difference of opinion. Besides, I am new to the Ball Python world, so what the hell do I know :D

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Originally Posted by BigBlue56

I see what your trying to say, but I dont necessarily buy it. A little vitamin dust is not going to over power the original smell of the rodent.

I know a few people that have done similar things with absolutely no negative response to the feeder.

I am not saying they need vitamins, just saying that perhaps your logic in this case is a little too obtuse.

Not an attack by any means, just a simple difference of opinion. Besides, I am new to the Ball Python world, so what the hell do I know :D

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No offence taken. I have a few snakes that Im sure would turn up their nose at it but I have never dusted anything so in reality, I really dont know. Its not something I think would ever be needed. I do give my rats treats and alfalfa but Im not going to dust anything. If others have actually done this with no feeding issues then more power to them. I just think its silly "advice" on a vets part.

i use repcal from time to time for breeders i have seen a diffrence in eggs shell development and clutch size but then again it may be the food i fed the rats and water soluble vitamins they get 2 or 3 times a month
just my 2 cents for what its worth thought id share a lil bit

That may be true for some tortoises. Ball Pythons don't need sunlight so IDK about that....

I don't give my snakes any vitamins, but I feel it's very important on what is feed to the rodent that is feed to the snake!

I use a calcium dust dip on the hindquarters of rats for a few feedings for females after they lay eggs. Doesn't do them any harm, and doesn't stop them from feeding.

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

I just think its silly "advice" on a vets part.

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This we can agree with :D

I dont think its harmful, but I also think that if your feeding your snake from healthy, properly raised rodents, they will get all the nutrients they need.

Though, perhaps a little dusting couldnt hurt. Eitherway, i dont think its needed, but more of a bonus kinda thing..