Be loyal to your snake...not your Vet

[Jyson]

Excellent post BG, ironically when I first got into snakes, my vet gave me a questionaire on my ball python much like this.

Umm,
Are you sure that's a trick question?
dr del

<- actually made that face when I saw that pic.

[blackcrystal22]

Umm,



Are you sure that's a trick question?


dr del

Was my face exactly as well!

I agree BG. A quality herp vet is important!

[Big Gunns]

BG made a very good thread, but forgot to add something.

Before you EVER purchase a reptile, always make sure there is a qualified vet in your area, but if you just purchase a reptile without doing so, and it gets sick, you may find yourself driving a few hours just to get to a qualified vet.

This isn't a good enough reason not to buy one kiddo. With good husbandry you may never see one.

So Mr. BG why does your snake have a forked tongue?

When Big Gunns created all living creatures, he gave snakes forked tongues so they had a better chance of finding their creator.

Big Gunns has got to say. He's glad everyone liked his post. Make sure you all take Big Gunns advice on this though. Big Gunns really hates talking to walls....he prefers his millions of mirrors.

[Beardedragon]

I have a very good vet, but there was a case when my friend took his ball python to a vet he trusted and wouldn't let me tell him other wise.

In the end he ended up paying around $100 for the vet to say he wasn't sure, pull out a book and look up the symptoms, and told him the closest one that matched. Which happened to be IBD. The snake in question did die but after he got the body tested it turned out not to be that, and all of its siblings almost two years later are doing great ( and have been taken to proper vets to be treated for Parasites).

I told him that vet was a slower payed for Google.

[MarkS]

BG made a very good thread, but forgot to add something.

Before you EVER purchase a reptile, always make sure there is a qualified vet in your area, but if you just purchase a reptile without doing so, and it gets sick, you may find yourself driving a few hours just to get to a qualified vet.

Unfortunately Tiffany, if people took this advice then most people would never get a snake, then there would be less incentive for vets to learn anything about them, then fewer people would be able to get a snake, then there would be even less incentive for vets to learn anything about them, etc etc etc... See where I'm going with this?

Remember Veterinarians are a BUSINESS. They may have gotten into the field because they want to help animals but if it can't help them pay the bills it becomes a lower priority. Few professionals will expend time and effort learning about something that may only be helpful to them once every couple of years.

[BPBandit]

Something learned. Good post

[GoBoilers]

"They may have gotten into the field because they want to help animals but if it can't help them pay the bills it becomes a lower priority."

On the contrary, exotics medicine is a much higher paying field (at least that is the trend in the Houston area). Unfortunately, therein lies part of the problem...a client will often "take what they can get" from their small animal veterinarian to avoid paying more at an exotics practice. Every vet that I have worked for that doesn't specialize in exotics has been up front with a client if posed with the question of whether or not he or she "sees reptiles"...if the client insists, the vet would do his or her best, but would ALWAYS treat with the understanding that exotics were not their specialty. Perhaps there are other unscrupulous vets out there (I wouldn't be surprised), but please keep in mind, if these folks were in it for the money, they would have become human doctors. I can assure ya'll that if I added up all of the services that we've given away for free simply because "somebody doesn't have the money," or literally just leaves without paying, the sum would amount to more than I make in a year. Just my 2 cents (and a different perspective)!

[CritterVet]

For people who don't have qualified herp vets in their area, keep in mind that non-qualified vets can be open-minded and willing to work with you. I have no problems being schooled by clients when it's a species I've never seen before. I am trained in the nitty gritty of physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, surgery, etc, but not the details of husbandry, natural history, and diet of all the thousands of herp species out there. Combining my skills (and prescription pad) with an owner's knowledge of a certain species can make a great team. I also have no problem calling other vets who are more experienced with me in certain species to consult with. Better yet is when the client brings me the phone number. That said, I also know my limits, and when I'm out of my league I will help the owner find a better-qualified vet if possible.

Regarding fees, I agree that vets charge more for exotics -- as they should. It's a specialty that takes more training and investment of time, energy, and money for special equipment. Also, exotics appointments almost always take longer than dog & cat appointments.

[CoolioTiffany]

This isn't a good enough reason not to buy one kiddo. With good husbandry you may never see one.

I've heard about random RIs that pop up

[AaronP]

Great post Neil, fortunately I've been close to some of the best Herp vets on the east coast!