over the counter medication?

[Skiploder]

i think it's a very fair question. I also think that vets are OVERpaid, and ask a LOT because most people either need it or their animals will die, if it's bad enough, or pay it because they love their animals like children. It's truly unfair.

http://www.anapsid.org/resources/rxdose.html

You can see that a lot of the dewormers are dog dewormers or cat dewormers, that they sell at petsmart.

Most of this on the list you need a perscription for...however for instance i just went to the vet to get my dog's eye looked at, and recieved a perscription for liquid neomycin, which is an over the counter anti-bacterial. Oh, don't get me wrong, it also had an eye soother in it...the same ingredient as in Visine. Treated him for a simple case of conjunctivitus...pink eye...which i read later goes away on it's on. She was saying so many things and telling me how he could have an ulcer, and/or something behind his eyelid...talked faster than a used car salesman so of course i was like "save my dog!". I did fuss about cost and ask a lot of questions, not that it did me any good, though i felt like i was prepared to go in there...she was just a much faster talker than i expected. After my fussing she came back in and took a whole GRACIOUS 12 dollars off the 138 bill, because after all, she only WHIPED OUT one eye, not both!

I also didn't trust her information on my snake that i took in. Only a 42 exam fee there. She opened my snake's mouth, and listened for a heartbeat. THAT i an exam? Seriously.

I get so pissed off most of the time, but when i finally go in there i always feel swindled. I've treated two snakes from the pound, on my own, and have felt like i've done a hellava lot more good than if i had ever even brought them near a vet. They are thriving, and no vet fees. I've only been looking up each issue as it arises and have done just fine. Granted, obviously if i feel like its' over my head i'll take an animal in, but good lord...afterwards i just feel like an idiot.

Anyway, my point is, mr.spooky, it's a reasonable question by falconpunch, and there is not the simple answer of "oh if you want a pet, you should be prepared to take it to the vet and pay out the nose for any reason!!!"
It's perfectly fine to do home treatments for a lot of things. And successful. ANd yes, CHEAPER, but hey, you have to save money when you can for stupid things the vets want to charge.

I would make a terrible vet, considering i'd be more concerned with helping the animal, and making sure it's healthy than making double profit or more.

Another example...my dog needed some shots of adequan...$38 dollars a shot. Vet raised the price to $48 dollars a shot. I was able to find it from Drs Foster and Smith online (very reputable site) for $45 dollars a BOTTLE...which was almost FIVE shots each. ridiculous. When i asked the vet if he would match prices he flipped out and said no. Apparently it costs him more to order it...I do NOT see how considering the price i was able to order it for...with FREE shipping.

Greeeeeeedy.

Dog dewormers - oranges.

Dealing with parasite loads on imported reptiles - apples.

Quoting Anapsid for anything - worthless.

The lesson - do not compare apples and oranges and Anapsid (Melissa Kaplan) is far better known for spreading disinformation than actual useable facts.

Bottom line: the price of the snake should not dictate the level of veterinary care that the OP should invest in it.

There are no magic pills for dealing with internal and external parasites in reptiles. The parasites differ by both geographic area, other species in the area and target prey. They need to be proper identified and treated by a qualified reptile vet.