Why you get second opinions (semi-rant)

[xFenrir]

I have taken Loki twice to the vet for a suspected RI (popping, clicking, unwilling to eat, etc), each time the vet looked at her, claimed RI, gave us Baytril and sent us on our way. The popping and clicking hasn't stopped and Loki was still not eating and if she did she usually spat it back out, so we took her to a vet I've seen on TV (their ad includes them holding a large Burmese and the caption saying that they "aren't afraid of any pet", haha). Went in, the woman looked Loki over, and said she noticed mucus and that her throat was pretty swollen too. Did a culture for bacteria (which the other vet never even OFFERED, just did a visual diagnosis) and came back to tell us she has a fungal infection!! No wonder the Baytril wasn't working!! I was so mad that the other woman never even bothered after we came in the second time to wonder if maybe it was something other than an RI, or even offer to do a simple culture (the one the vet did today was in-house, she didn't even need to send it to a lab).

Now Loki gets to enjoy 14 days of getting icky meds stuffed down her throat and another trip to the vet when she's done. (She's very mad with us right now, she balled up and would NOT come undone.)


So moral of the story is if you don't think your vet is getting the job done, don't be afraid to go find another one. Just because they SAY they work with exotics doesn't mean they're good at it.

[Royal Hijinx]

Good thing you found a vet willing to do what was needed. I guess the snake in the ad paid off for both of you

[Valentine Pirate]

Wow, what a PITA. Glad you were able to find the actual problem. Also good advice to anyone who isn't around one of the more well known herp vets (I'm still waiting on deciding which one to go through should anything happen to my animals, there's a list of potentials but none of them are herp only vets)

[xFenrir]

Well, the place I went is an "all animals" vet practice, but they actually advertised snakes, and the reviews on them were excellent so we gave it a shot. Plus when they use a Burm to represent their practice you feel a little better taking your snake there!

Our only worry now is that the infection might have possibly gotten into her lungs since she's had it so long, I guess we'll see in 2 weeks.

[karmak]

Hope the poor thing gets better!! Good luck !!

[angllady2]

I know your pain dear.

I am very glad you have a knowledgeable vet to go to now, and I hope your little one gets better soon.

Gale

[RestlessRobie]

Yeah I am glad you got your little guy heading in the right direction. I did a lot of research before I found a good herp vet in the area and took my sons snake in last week (even with the snow and weather) I didnt even have to suggest a culture he offered once he found out what we had going on and was great with my son and his snake. He even asked if I wanted him to take the snake out of the room because the procedure for a swab would be a little tramatic for my son to see. Long story short GREAT herp vet in the greater seattle area DR. Maas of the Center for Bird & Exotic Animal Medicine. I would recomend his services for anyone in the area. Not only was it a great experience but it was not terribly expensive. Under $150 for 2 snake exams 2 fecals one culture and the approperiate meds. Yes for the next 14 days he gets oral meds what a pain but he on day 5 and looking a lot beter. BTW I brought my New pied addition just to make sure she was healthy and had no bugs or anything and just a good general checkup as she is coming out of QT

[L.West]

I learned the hard way that "herp specific vet" doesn't mean anything. I had a very well known "herp vet" misdiagnose my Mojave when I first took him in about that large lump near his vent. This dr. told me it was scar tissue and sent me home - but not before charging me $160 to tell me this.

Well, I wasn't convinced with his diagnosis so I took him to an "all animal, plus herp vet" and was sooo glad I did - they were able to diagnose the problem and put us on the path to getting him all taken care of.

I now drive two hours one way to take my snakes to this vet - trust in the vet means more than I can say. I feel totally comfortable taking my babies to him.