"Chemical Reaction" in a Fecal Exam??

[Annarose15]

Long story made short - I sold a hatchling to someone who returned it a month later, saying he wouldn't eat for him. During that month, the snake shed and was force/assist fed (couldn't get a clear answer on which). I explained to him that with the shed cycle and the changing homes, I wouldn't have expected him to have eaten more than once in that time span. As a side note - he housed the hatchling with two or more other snakes (can only assume balls) until I explained to him that this was not the proper practice. Oh, and the baby had three meals of rat fuzzies prior to delivery, with no hesitation. Unfortunately, since he is back in my care, he has eaten readily, but regurgitated his meal three days later. I am waiting two weeks, have double-checked my temps, etc., and am leaving him alone.

Now to my question - I attempted to take a fecal sample to a local vet today on the chance that the regurge is a result of internal parasites that might have been transmitted in the month in his temporary home. The veterinarian (via the receptionist) told me that they did not have the proper instruments to check snakes feces because the chemical would react differently that with cat/dog feces. Now, it's been a while since I worked at a vet clinic, but we used saline for fecal floats. Has anyone heard of this before? I understand that a standard float wouldn't catch bacteria, but why not nematodes and protozoa?

The kicker was that they recommended me to an exotics vet...TWO HOURS AWAY. It would be cheaper for me to buy my own microscope, with today's gas prices.

[Skittles1101]

I have brought fecal samples to my "vet" that I actually know more about snakes than they did. They are not an exotics vet. They do not specialize in exotics but do see reptiles. I had no issue bringing in multiple fecal samples so I am surprised that a vet that sees reptiles couldn't do a test. I don't think it's done any different for a cat or dog either....that statement would make me nervous to go there again anyways so I'd think it's for the best to find a different vet

The medication they even prescribed for when my normal male had pinworms was actually just diluted dog/cat antiparasitic. I made it the same way I would for a dog/cat, just diluted it to their instructions and gave him a fraction that a dog/cat would have gotten it at.

[Annarose15]

I have brought fecal samples to my "vet" that I actually know more about snakes than they did. They are not an exotics vet. They do not specialize in exotics but do see reptiles. I had no issue bringing in multiple fecal samples so I am surprised that a vet that sees reptiles couldn't do a test. I don't think it's done any different for a cat or dog either....that statement would make me nervous to go there again anyways so I'd think it's for the best to find a different vet

The medication they even prescribed for when my normal male had pinworms was actually just diluted dog/cat antiparasitic. I made it the same way I would for a dog/cat, just diluted it to their instructions and gave him a fraction that a dog/cat would have gotten it at.

Sorry, I should have clarified. They do not claim to be an exotics vet, they just happen to be local. But to your point, the meds are the same (aside from dosage), and the parasites are the same, so why would the test be different? I actually don't even want them to prescribe for me. I will handle treatment myself, but needed to know what to treat for, if anything.

It bothers me when anyone with "Dr." in front of their name isn't even willing to try to help out. The vet I use for my dog (an hour away, since everyone local seems to have this same attitude) has actually called in antibiotics for my chicken before! She does not work with chickens, but was willing to do a little research and make a recommendation. Unlike these people...

[Skittles1101]

I am thinking about getting a microscope and parasite biology book myself, it seems cheaper than the vet! I think I'm going to check the science department at my local university and see if they have any unused microscopes laying around

[ed4281]

Your vet doesn't have to be an exotic vet in order to send a bag of poop off to antech or idexx for analysis. The vet didn't want to mess with it and there is no chemical reaction I read hundreds of sample from many different species each day. Poop is poop. Vets can be persnickety.

[Annarose15]

Your vet doesn't have to be an exotic vet in order to send a bag of poop off to antech or idexx for analysis. The vet didn't want to mess with it and there is no chemical reaction I read hundreds of sample from many different species each day. Poop is poop. Vets can be persnickety.

Glad to know I'm not totally crazy.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Well it's not too much of a surprise for me over the years I have heard the craziest things coming from some vets

He could have done it I think he just does not want to, my vet will see exotics (not sure what their level of expertise is though as I have not had any problems but they can at least do a fecal for you)

Their is also an exotic vet in Commerce and one in Lawrenceville if you want to go to an exotic vet.