Interesting comment from the vet.

[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?

[joepythons]

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?

see a reptile vet not a dog vet :p

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

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?

~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.

see a reptile vet not a dog vet :p

[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.

[CoolioTiffany]

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

[Seru1]

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

[Vilenica]

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.

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

[BigBlue56]

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.

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

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

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

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.

[jayhawker]

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