Would you ever take your snake to the vet?

[m1lkhoney]

I am in the habit of finding a good nearby vet clinic before I get a pet, so I did the same for Henry (that's my snake) in case of a snakemergency. I don't know exactly what that would be but he is is unusually clumsy* and could probably figure something out. The reptile clinic near me offers a $1 meet and greet - they do a little wellness checkup, you get to meet the team, they go over diet and stuff with you (think I got that down but eh). Only reason I'm considering it is his past owners neglected him and never fed him and I don't know if his weight is normal. Or if anything is normal.

Part of me thinks this seems like a reasonable thing to do and part of me just thinks it would stress him out. But this is coming from the person who asked about snake leashes. (And, for the record, he would be in a carrier)

Hope this isn't a stupid question. I'm just a new snake mom and I want to do what is best for Henry. (Except the leash thing, apparently.)


*For instance, when I set him on my lap when I sit on the floor, he sort of goes into a trance and falls off me. Then slithers back into my lap, and sliiiiiiide, slither, sliiiiiiide...

[John1982]

I'm one of those "if it ain't broke" types and only take a herp to my vet when it's something I can't handle myself. That said, it's important to find a reptile vet that you feel confident using. As for transporting Henry, go with a snake bag(aka pillow case) inside a tupperware container(with holes punched out for air - depends how far vet is really but never hurts to be safe). The bag will add security and cushion(as well as absorb any released waste) while the container is more of a stabilizer to help minimize movement. Should keep stress levels to a minimum.

[butterballpython]

If he needed it, absolutely. I have a good herp vet nearby, and take my animals in to him when it's something I can't handle myself.

[StephenT]

It's okay to ask those types of questions when you're new to a hobby! There are a lot of home remedies for mild cases of illnesses, but anything further would require veterinary help. Vets are a key asset in owning a snake. In regards to your snake's "clumsiness," unfortunately some snakes develope neurological problems, especially in certain genetic morphs. Though I've no clue the degree of your snake's oddity, he could have a little "head wobble" as some people call it. It's not dangerous though, just a little quirk of his.

[m1lkhoney]

Thank you! And I don't think it's a neurological problem like the spider morphs have; in almost every other way he's perfectly fine. He just kind of zones out if you pet him a certain way and cannot seem to remember that the floor exists. He's kinda like his mama.

It's okay to ask those types of questions when you're new to a hobby! There are a lot of home remedies for mild cases of illnesses, but anything further would require veterinary help. Vets are a key asset in owning a snake. In regards to your snake's "clumsiness," unfortunately some snakes develope neurological problems, especially in certain genetic morphs. Though I've no clue the degree of your snake's oddity, he could have a little "head wobble" as some people call it. It's not dangerous though, just a little quirk of his.

[Caspian]

Absolutely. I keep clean snake bags handy just in case. I've already taken two of mine in - they arrived together from the same breeder, and both started clicking about a week later. Upped humidity and heat, made an appointment, and two days later when I took them in, they showed no sign of RI - but I took them in anyway, to be sure, and they were given a clean bill of health. Better safe than sorry.

[m1lkhoney]

Thanks. That's kind of why I'm on the fence. I thiiiiiink I know what a healthy snake looks like? He's definitely a bit underweight but that can be fixed; it's just that he's been severely neglected the entire year of his life and I worry I might be missing something important.

If he needed it, absolutely. I have a good herp vet nearby, and take my animals in to him when it's something I can't handle myself.

[m1lkhoney]

First of all, they make snake bags? Off to the Googles!

Okay, I think I'm starting to lean toward the "go to the vet" side. It's only a dollar and I'd really like to meet the care team, and have them meet Henry.

Absolutely. I keep clean snake bags handy just in case. I've already taken two of mine in - they arrived together from the same breeder, and both started clicking about a week later. Upped humidity and heat, made an appointment, and two days later when I took them in, they showed no sign of RI - but I took them in anyway, to be sure, and they were given a clean bill of health. Better safe than sorry.

[chrid16371]

For $1 to meet who will take care of your snake if something went wrong is definitely worth it. First impressions are everything and often you don't get those kind of chances until your herp is sick and you have no choice. I would do it to see what kind of impression they leave and how they handle your snake. It also gives you time to find a new vet if it doesn't seem they are knowledgeable enough. What will it hurt? You may find out something you didn't know or give you the reassurance that everything is ok. To transport I would just buy a $5 tub and put your snake in with maybe a homemade hide out of a box or butter bowl or something, I would also try to keep your vehicle at decent temp so don't blast the ac.

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[m1lkhoney]

Ohhhhh, a pillow case! I was imagining some sort of zippered think like you'd carry a camera in and I was like "well there's another thing I forgot to buy..."

I'm one of those "if it ain't broke" types and only take a herp to my vet when it's something I can't handle myself. That said, it's important to find a reptile vet that you feel confident using. As for transporting Henry, go with a snake bag(aka pillow case) inside a tupperware container(with holes punched out for air - depends how far vet is really but never hurts to be safe). The bag will add security and cushion(as well as absorb any released waste) while the container is more of a stabilizer to help minimize movement. Should keep stress levels to a minimum.