Vet Appointment

Today was Rue's vet appt! We took a mini road trip to the vet. Long story short. Rue's a healthy horse! Haha all kidding aside, we haven't done any tests. We did just the run of the mill annual exam! She checked his throat, his nose, his eyes, his skin, okay okay you get the idea. She checked little Rue from head to toe! The things that stuck out to me,

• She sexed him; He is in fact a he! Phew.
• He currently weighs 244kg
• Fully hydrated, perfect weight[meatloaf shape]
• Nice color, she said he is indeed a red tail. For those of you that have followed Rue's story since day 1 on the forum. Little rue was sold as a python ha! Feels so good to have the vet back up your guys/gals diagnosis of rue. Dun. Dun. Dun. Y'all were right {but i knew that already}
• Rue has lines in his scales. You betcha I asked the vet about them. As soon as little rue will let me take a picture of exactly what I'm talking about, ill share. Anyway, Rue. She said it could be one of two things. 1) Dehydration in his past. She explained that when boas get dehydrated they pretty much "shrivel up like a little prune" or look like "a plant that really needs to be watered" [her exact words] The vet stated Rue is hydrated right now BUT at one point he could have been very dehydrated to the point where he was a prune. If this is the case though she said after a few sheds, it should get better & better! Poor rue! 2) He was kept in a tank/cage that was to small that forced him to be coiled enough to where the lines are there for good........ To give you some what of a picture, lines that run up and down. The lines are only one scale in width and run from belly to belly 360 degrees. The scales stick straight out, some fold over
• He has a small amount of "flem"in his throat. I told her about when i first bought him and he sounded very wheezy, which got better and better. By the two week mark i couldn't hear him wheezy anymore. She said this must be the last little bit of that, but wants to keep an eye on it (gah. means another road trip to that vet hehe) She also advised me to lower his humidity. 50-60% for now. [His tank is usually 60-80%]
• She advised me to get rats from glacier rodents.
• She put him on his back to test the reflex (slips my mind at the moment) he reacted good.
• She also told me, Rue, sadly isn't the first snake to be seen there from this particular store with minor issues.
• Complimented rue for how patient and curious he was {he loves being held}

I explained in full detail where i bought him, how old i was told he is, what his husbandry is like. Trust me, she grilled me [for good reason though hehe a vet that actually cares woohoo] I opted to not do any tests right now, but in the future i do plan to. Next month, the stool sample. In june, the chemical and blood work {hey don't judge, its spendy}

When i left the vet I called the reptile store owner because i don't know any of his medical history, and clearly the vet didn't either. I called her to see if she knew anything about his health history or had any records. The conversation is as follow; after all the greeting & hello's

Me: I was just curious if you had any medical records or info on anything for rue, i took him to the vet today an- (cuts me off)

Owner: i HIGHLY advise against that, the vet is just going to try and pump as much money out of you as possible!!

Me: See the thing is, i haven't done any tests thats not the issue. Rue has lines on his sides an- (cut off again)

Owner: Which is normal!! HES A SNAKE! Its from coiling.

Me: She said it could be from something more serious in his past, i was just curious if you had any medical records or knew anything about the owners before you

Owner: No one keeps medical records on snakes. Its a snake. You mist it, feed it, make sure it has water. Thats all. I mean its pretty hard to have a snake in poor condition.

Me: no i defiantly understand what you're saying. So you don't have any info on rues past?

Owner: No, nobody keeps records. I don't even know of anyone that takes there snakes to a vet.

Me: Okay, okay, i understand. Thank you. *I hung up*

BUT WAIT SHE ENDED UP CALLING ME (conversation is as follows)

Owner: Hey sam, i just wanted to apologize about before. I know i can come on pretty strong. My frustration isn't with you, its with the vet. If i was you, i wouldn't trust a vet that says the lines are abnormal. Its really hard to find a boa that doesn't have the lines, its normal.

Me: uhh..huhh...

Owner: I had rue from June 2014 until you bought him in march (2015) before that my neighbor had him. She bought him off of craigslist. So as far as medical wise I have no idea, i just know i've never had a problem with him.

Me: Okay, well thank you

Owner: I know he's a healthy snake, anyone can come into my shop and look at my snakes...

Me: I was only asking about the lines, its hard to figure out what happened when, i didn't have him at the time. Thats all. Other than that she does believe he's healthy.

Owner: Okay, well you might want to think about the vet bills, the blood tests aren't going to show you anything. The stool only shows you worms an- (i cut her off)

Me: thank you, i understand.

Owner: Well, good luck. *hangs up*

As i noted above the tests will come, with time. Anyone else have any similar stories? Advice? Thoughts? Please! Don't be shy! I took rue to a local exotic vet whose 4.5 out of 5 stars and let me tell you i was not disappointed!!!

Oh yeah, here are a couple of pictures from today!

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...der_255528.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3608.jpg

Good to hear. Yeah I just wouldn't even bother with that store anymore. That owner was so wrong on so many levels. I mean she/he actually believes a blood test wont show anything??!! A blood test in reptiles is about the only way to get a thorough check up. It gives proteins, uric levels, calcium etc. I had one done on my bearded dragon. They aren't cheap but they give you a complete assessment. As for the vertical lines, some boas do get those, usually from being a bit fat. Also I have read that sometimes when a boa sheds, if it sits in a tight coil for a long time, the scales will crease because they are soft when they first shed. Also dehydration I guess too but I would assume the lines would be all directions, not just vertical. But regardless, good to hear he got a clean bill of health. Also good call on lowering humidity. I keep all my snakes around 50-60% humidity even during sheds and they are all fine. High humidity will promote bacterial and fungal growth which can lead to fungal RI. Curious which vet you used. Was it Kamaka Exotic Animal? I heard she is pretty good. I use Bird and Exotic Clinic of Seattle with Dr Bennett. But I'm always ears to hear about other reptile vets.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Good to hear. Yeah I just wouldn't even bother with that store anymore. That owner was so wrong on so many levels. I mean she/he actually believes a blood test wont show anything??!! A blood test in reptiles is about the only way to get a thorough check up. It gives proteins, uric levels, calcium etc. I had one done on my bearded dragon. They aren't cheap but they give you a complete assessment. As for the vertical lines, some boas do get those, usually from being a bit fat. Also I have read that sometimes when a boa sheds, if it sits in a tight coil for a long time, the scales will crease because they are soft when they first shed. Also dehydration I guess too but I would assume the lines would be all directions, not just vertical. But regardless, good to hear he got a clean bill of health. Also good call on lowering humidity. I keep all my snakes around 50-60% humidity even during sheds and they are all fine. High humidity will promote bacterial and fungal growth which can lead to fungal RI. Curious which vet you used. Was it Kamaka Exotic Animal? I heard she is pretty good. I use Bird and Exotic Clinic of Seattle with Dr Bennett. But I'm always ears to hear about other reptile vets.

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Dr.Music at The center for bird & exotic animal medicine in bothell. Love her! I recommend this vet to anyone who lives around the seattle, Wa area! I will for sure be going back for his tests/checkups.

Also, the store I bought Rue from and have had SO many problems with is Hewiett Reptile Emporium in Everett, Wa. Sadly, I don't recommend her, or her store to anyone. Not even my worst enemy.

Lol kind of funny about Hewitt. I knew the original owner, Steve, before he sold it to Kayla(the owner now). I've actually never had problems with her except she couldn't tell me the bloodline of a BCA she had for sale except that it was from a breeder in Idaho which put me off so I held off buying it. She ended up selling it guess she told me which is fine since I ended up picking up a Redgroup/Burke Lipstick line Sunglow poss super sunglow. I cant really fault her too much though as people who are looking for a specific snake will usually just go straight to a breeder and most "pet shops" don't keep records because they aren't given records usually from who they buy from aka a wholesaler or reptile mill. The conversation did sound kind of rude though from what I read. Since you live up in the Marysville area, you should check out Reptile Snack Shack in Marysville. I sold the owner, Bobbie, a bunch of dubia roaches to bolster her colonies and she seems really nice plus I think she has pretty much everything to feed reptiles. And ah the Bothell Exotic Clinic. That is fairly close to where I live kind of. I have never been there. Its good that they worked out. I'm trying to think of which snake you bought from Kayla.....was it the BCI in a white wood cage with sliding doors kind of towards the back right when you walk in on the floor? If so, that guy looked fairly healthy and kind of looked like a mini version of my big girl Rosey. Funny she sold you a boa as a python, if you guys weren't on such bad terms, I probably would give her grief about that next time I went up there to get horn worms for my beardie but since you two are, I will probably just not say anything lol.

At least your snake was mellow at the vet. When I had to take Harley to the vet, she was a nervous wreck lol. She pooped all over the nurses shoes, the exam table, the blanket and then she jumped onto me and ran up my shirt and hid under my neck which is her safe spot since I had her at 6 weeks old. Then she got mad when the doctor tried to take a swab of the inside of her mouth and bit the wood Q-tip in half. Both the doctor and the nurse said "Harley got a strong jaw" lol. But that's a beardie and she is a really shy girl. If she doesn't know you or is somewhere unfamiliar, she generally holds onto me with the grip of death and hides under my chin lol.

Anyways as for rats, you can also try Big Cheese Rodents or Layne Labs. Both of those have well packaged, clean rats. I just buy live and kill them myself before feeding as I see it as a fresh cooked home dinner vs a tv dinner :P

Congratulations on reconsidering Rue's fate and good call with the vet appointment. Glad he is a healthy boa. :gj:

Good job with Rue! He's in good hands. :)

Obviously, someone who believes a boa constrictor is a python is the person you want to trust on veterinary advice. :rolleyes:

Seems like Rue finally landed in an excellent home!

Just one word of advice...when traveling with the snake, even short distances to the vet or whatever, they should always be in a secure, closed container. A tub with a tightly fitted lid, a sturdy cardboard box with the flaps taped down, even a small ice chest if it's a short trip. Something insulated to prevent sharp changes in temperature as much as possible...and something well padded with newspapers or old towels that leaves just enough room for the snake to fit so it can't get jostled around. The snake itself should be in a securely tied bag (inside-out pillowcase can work fine) and then placed in the container and secured in a safe place in the car. (On the floor if it's a warm day, or seat-belted on a seat if the day is cold enough to need the heater running).

I've read too many horror stories about snakes (big snakes, little snakes, snakes of all sorts) getting lost in cars because their keepers carried them on a lap for a "short drive."

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Lol kind of funny about Hewitt. I knew the original owner, Steve, before he sold it to Kayla(the owner now). I've actually never had problems with her except she couldn't tell me the bloodline of a BCA she had for sale except that it was from a breeder in Idaho which put me off so I held off buying it. She ended up selling it guess she told me which is fine since I ended up picking up a Redgroup/Burke Lipstick line Sunglow poss super sunglow. I cant really fault her too much though as people who are looking for a specific snake will usually just go straight to a breeder and most "pet shops" don't keep records because they aren't given records usually from who they buy from aka a wholesaler or reptile mill. The conversation did sound kind of rude though from what I read. Since you live up in the Marysville area, you should check out Reptile Snack Shack in Marysville. I sold the owner, Bobbie, a bunch of dubia roaches to bolster her colonies and she seems really nice plus I think she has pretty much everything to feed reptiles. And ah the Bothell Exotic Clinic. That is fairly close to where I live kind of. I have never been there. Its good that they worked out. I'm trying to think of which snake you bought from Kayla.....was it the BCI in a white wood cage with sliding doors kind of towards the back right when you walk in on the floor? If so, that guy looked fairly healthy and kind of looked like a mini version of my big girl Rosey. Funny she sold you a boa as a python, if you guys weren't on such bad terms, I probably would give her grief about that next time I went up there to get horn worms for my beardie but since you two are, I will probably just not say anything lol.

At least your snake was mellow at the vet. When I had to take Harley to the vet, she was a nervous wreck lol. She pooped all over the nurses shoes, the exam table, the blanket and then she jumped onto me and ran up my shirt and hid under my neck which is her safe spot since I had her at 6 weeks old. Then she got mad when the doctor tried to take a swab of the inside of her mouth and bit the wood Q-tip in half. Both the doctor and the nurse said "Harley got a strong jaw" lol. But that's a beardie and she is a really shy girl. If she doesn't know you or is somewhere unfamiliar, she generally holds onto me with the grip of death and hides under my chin lol.

Anyways as for rats, you can also try Big Cheese Rodents or Layne Labs. Both of those have well packaged, clean rats. I just buy live and kill them myself before feeding as I see it as a fresh cooked home dinner vs a tv dinner :P

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Yeah. The wooden cage in her shop was Rue's. I didn't not take that with me because it's to small and she said over and over how much he hated it ha. Ashley is usually really rude and than apologizes later on.... I'm almost done with my store credit at her store than I plan to never go back. When she had him, she called him shiloh. Other than the creases and the last bit of the RI Dr. music said he looks very healthy. If you don't already have a normal vet, I would deft reccommond them! I love it there, the dr was super patient & caring. Also, all of the staff was helpful! Plus, it was only 50$ for the exam which considering my dogs vet. Rue's visit is way cheaper ha.

I will deff look into the different shops!

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Originally Posted by JLC

Obviously, someone who believes a boa constrictor is a python is the person you want to trust on veterinary advice. :rolleyes:

Seems like Rue finally landed in an excellent home!

Just one word of advice...when traveling with the snake, even short distances to the vet or whatever, they should always be in a secure, closed container. A tub with a tightly fitted lid, a sturdy cardboard box with the flaps taped down, even a small ice chest if it's a short trip. Something insulated to prevent sharp changes in temperature as much as possible...and something well padded with newspapers or old towels that leaves just enough room for the snake to fit so it can't get jostled around. The snake itself should be in a securely tied bag (inside-out pillowcase can work fine) and then placed in the container and secured in a safe place in the car. (On the floor if it's a warm day, or seat-belted on a seat if the day is cold enough to need the heater running).

I've read too many horror stories about snakes (big snakes, little snakes, snakes of all sorts) getting lost in cars because their keepers carried them on a lap for a "short drive."

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I will for sure put him in a secure spot next trip!! I never considered him running off, but than again I know when he doesn't like something he can move very very fast hah! Thank you for the tips!

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Originally Posted by Rue

Yeah. The wooden cage in her shop was Rue's. I didn't not take that with me because it's to small and she said over and over how much he hated it ha. Ashley is usually really rude and than apologizes later on.... I'm almost done with my store credit at her store than I plan to never go back. When she had him, she called him shiloh. Other than the creases and the last bit of the RI Dr. music said he looks very healthy. If you don't already have a normal vet, I would deft reccommond them! I love it there, the dr was super patient & caring. Also, all of the staff was helpful! Plus, it was only 50$ for the exam which considering my dogs vet. Rue's visit is way cheaper ha.

I will deff look into the different shops!

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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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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.