It is not uncommon for herp vets to prescribe medication without examining the animal. Reasons for this may be:
1. Prior familiarity with the animal.
2. Prior familiarity with the owner and their collection.
3. Realization that the stress of an examination may outweigh the benefits of testing.
4. Realization that many diseases in reptiles have overlapping therapies.
5. Dealing with venomous animals owned by experienced owners.
Many of the tests that vets try during a diagnosis do not definitely point to a singular cause. An RI is not a blockage or an impaction. An RI is an RI. However many common reptile diseases are bacterial in nature. Therefore one therapy may cover several bases.
Many reputable herp vets will make a house call in full realization that the stress of the exam may worsen the condition of the snake. A snake suffering from stress and the imbalances it causes to it's immune system may be put into further decline after a car ride and a ten minute groping by a vet. That's why a REAL herp vet will recommend a house call, in which they can minimize stress and also see first hand whether husbandry may be a causative factor.
Having said all of this, many herp vets are not really herp vets. Finding a reputable and experience herp vet is an endeavor worth the time and effort.
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