Would you ever take your snake to the vet?

I am in the habit of finding a good nearby vet clinic before I get a pet, so I did the same for Henry (that's my snake) in case of a snakemergency. I don't know exactly what that would be but he is is unusually clumsy* and could probably figure something out. The reptile clinic near me offers a $1 meet and greet - they do a little wellness checkup, you get to meet the team, they go over diet and stuff with you (think I got that down but eh). Only reason I'm considering it is his past owners neglected him and never fed him and I don't know if his weight is normal. Or if anything is normal.

Part of me thinks this seems like a reasonable thing to do and part of me just thinks it would stress him out. But this is coming from the person who asked about snake leashes. (And, for the record, he would be in a carrier) ;)

Hope this isn't a stupid question. I'm just a new snake mom and I want to do what is best for Henry. (Except the leash thing, apparently.)


*For instance, when I set him on my lap when I sit on the floor, he sort of goes into a trance and falls off me. Then slithers back into my lap, and sliiiiiiide, slither, sliiiiiiide... :confusd:

I'm one of those "if it ain't broke" types and only take a herp to my vet when it's something I can't handle myself. That said, it's important to find a reptile vet that you feel confident using. As for transporting Henry, go with a snake bag(aka pillow case) inside a tupperware container(with holes punched out for air - depends how far vet is really but never hurts to be safe). The bag will add security and cushion(as well as absorb any released waste) while the container is more of a stabilizer to help minimize movement. Should keep stress levels to a minimum.

If he needed it, absolutely. I have a good herp vet nearby, and take my animals in to him when it's something I can't handle myself.

It's okay to ask those types of questions when you're new to a hobby! There are a lot of home remedies for mild cases of illnesses, but anything further would require veterinary help. Vets are a key asset in owning a snake. In regards to your snake's "clumsiness," unfortunately some snakes develope neurological problems, especially in certain genetic morphs. Though I've no clue the degree of your snake's oddity, he could have a little "head wobble" as some people call it. It's not dangerous though, just a little quirk of his.

Thank you! And I don't think it's a neurological problem like the spider morphs have; in almost every other way he's perfectly fine. He just kind of zones out if you pet him a certain way and cannot seem to remember that the floor exists. He's kinda like his mama.

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Originally Posted by StephenT

It's okay to ask those types of questions when you're new to a hobby! There are a lot of home remedies for mild cases of illnesses, but anything further would require veterinary help. Vets are a key asset in owning a snake. In regards to your snake's "clumsiness," unfortunately some snakes develope neurological problems, especially in certain genetic morphs. Though I've no clue the degree of your snake's oddity, he could have a little "head wobble" as some people call it. It's not dangerous though, just a little quirk of his.

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Absolutely. I keep clean snake bags handy just in case. I've already taken two of mine in - they arrived together from the same breeder, and both started clicking about a week later. Upped humidity and heat, made an appointment, and two days later when I took them in, they showed no sign of RI - but I took them in anyway, to be sure, and they were given a clean bill of health. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks. That's kind of why I'm on the fence. I thiiiiiink I know what a healthy snake looks like? He's definitely a bit underweight but that can be fixed; it's just that he's been severely neglected the entire year of his life and I worry I might be missing something important.

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Originally Posted by butterballpython

If he needed it, absolutely. I have a good herp vet nearby, and take my animals in to him when it's something I can't handle myself.

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First of all, they make snake bags? Off to the Googles!

Okay, I think I'm starting to lean toward the "go to the vet" side. It's only a dollar and I'd really like to meet the care team, and have them meet Henry.

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Originally Posted by Caspian

Absolutely. I keep clean snake bags handy just in case. I've already taken two of mine in - they arrived together from the same breeder, and both started clicking about a week later. Upped humidity and heat, made an appointment, and two days later when I took them in, they showed no sign of RI - but I took them in anyway, to be sure, and they were given a clean bill of health. Better safe than sorry.

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For $1 to meet who will take care of your snake if something went wrong is definitely worth it. First impressions are everything and often you don't get those kind of chances until your herp is sick and you have no choice. I would do it to see what kind of impression they leave and how they handle your snake. It also gives you time to find a new vet if it doesn't seem they are knowledgeable enough. What will it hurt? You may find out something you didn't know or give you the reassurance that everything is ok. To transport I would just buy a $5 tub and put your snake in with maybe a homemade hide out of a box or butter bowl or something, I would also try to keep your vehicle at decent temp so don't blast the ac.

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Ohhhhh, a pillow case! I was imagining some sort of zippered think like you'd carry a camera in and I was like "well there's another thing I forgot to buy..."

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Originally Posted by John1982

I'm one of those "if it ain't broke" types and only take a herp to my vet when it's something I can't handle myself. That said, it's important to find a reptile vet that you feel confident using. As for transporting Henry, go with a snake bag(aka pillow case) inside a tupperware container(with holes punched out for air - depends how far vet is really but never hurts to be safe). The bag will add security and cushion(as well as absorb any released waste) while the container is more of a stabilizer to help minimize movement. Should keep stress levels to a minimum.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

For $1 to meet who will take care of your snake if something went wrong is definitely worth it. First impressions are everything and often you don't get those kind of chances until your herp is sick and you have no choice. I would do it to see what kind of impression they leave and how they handle your snake. What will it hurt? To transport I would just buy a $5 tub and put your snake in with maybe a homemade hide out of a box or butter bowl or something, I would also try to keep your vehicle at decent temp so don't blast the ac.

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Agreed. Besides, sometimes if vets get busy, they'll tell you that they're not taking new clients. For a dollar, you'll have your foot in the door. And if you're worried about the snake's weight, that dollar will be well spent on veterinary advice. It sounds like a great deal to me.

Yes, I would really like to meet the care team and I would also feel so much better if I knew Henry was really okay.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

For $1 to meet who will take care of your snake if something went wrong is definitely worth it. First impressions are everything and often you don't get those kind of chances until your herp is sick and you have no choice. I would do it to see what kind of impression they leave and how they handle your snake. What will it hurt? You may find out something you didn't know or give you the reassurance that everything is ok. To transport I would just buy a $5 tub and put your snake in with maybe a homemade hide out of a box or butter bowl or something, I would also try to keep your vehicle at decent temp so don't blast the ac.

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Make sure they actually know something about and are willing to treat reptiles. Not all vets will treat reptiles, and some of those that do treat them don't know enough :/.

Virtually every snake I've owned has been to the vet, but that's because they are all rescues and some were found in terrible shape. Luckily for me, I have an experienced herp vet in my area. Since your folks are only charging $1 for a meet and greet, I would certainly bring the snake by in a pillowcase and just ask. Most of us don't take our snakes to the vet because we know how to treat basic ailments and issues. If you're BRAND new to the hobby and not sure how often you should feed or the proper size based on your snake's history, you can always ask a herp vet. Like others have said, make sure they know how to treat reptiles (specifically snakes), as some vets don't really feel comfortable examining snakes and some are grossly misinformed about them (I've heard on these very boards where a vet thought the hemipenes were prolapsed--it was the spurs on either side of the cloaca. Really).

We can all speculate and offer advice on how to feed your snake, but without seeing it in person, knowing its history, palpating its body and abdomen, etc, we can't be sure.

The only stupid question is the question that isn't asked. No worries. :)

They're a reptile vet! :)

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Originally Posted by Willowy

Make sure they actually know something about and are willing to treat reptiles. Not all vets will treat reptiles, and some of those that do treat them don't know enough :/.

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The OP did say it was a reptile clinic so they probably know a lot more than most vets. Hopefully they have been practicing there profession long enough to give the proper care instead of reading out of a text book. The fact they are offering a $1 wellness screen and meet and great gives a very good impression but things are not always as they seem so taking the opportunity they're offering and time to go is important. If they do not leave a good impression it will give you time to find a new reptile vet. Most people don't think to find one until something goes wrong but IMO it should be the first thing you think about before buying a herp along with being able to afford the vet cost. It's better to have something and not need it then to not have it and need it, especially when it comes to the care of your pets.

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Even if you don't take your snake you should go and observe. There's a big difference between an exotic specialist and a vet that "sees snakes".

FWIW the vet I use for the snakes doesn't see dogs, cats, or livestock, only reptiles, birds, and non-typical mammal pets like guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, etc.

I get a little antsy about taking my snakes anywhere other reptiles have been or will be. A vet office is definitely much cleaner than a pet store, but if the risk isn't necessary I would consider not doing it. That's just me though. If they seem like a good, knowledgeable, reptile vet clinic it could be fun. Just be careful of the advice you hear. Even veterinarians aren't ball python husbandry experts. They are experts when it comes to surgeries/health of animals, but they most likely don't have decades of ball python specific husbandry experience.