Are routine Fecals test necessary

[L.West]

I called my exotic vets office to see if I could drop off poop for a fecal float. My snakes are all healthy but I just wanted to get their poop checked for my own piece of mind.

Well, they insist that I bring the snake in for a checkup. I think that is rediculous. Why stress my snake out by taking them to the vet for no reason.

Does anyone know if it is even necessary to get the fecal float done?? And, would you all bother.

Thanks

[JodanOrNoDan]

If I get an animal from a reputable source I do not bother with a fecal unless the animal is showing signs of illness. If the source is questionable I will get one done. I have done 2 fecals in the last 3 years and have over 50 animals. All bets are off if you break quarantine though. If I was taking my animals anywhere I would probably have fecals done periodically.

[MissterDog]

If I get an animal from a reputable source I do not bother with a fecal unless the animal is showing signs of illness. If the source is questionable I will get one done. I have done 2 fecals in the last 3 years and have over 50 animals. All bets are off if you break quarantine though. If I was taking my animals anywhere I would probably have fecals done periodically.

This is something I was wondering about too. Sorry if I'm hijacking, but since the topic of quarantine came up, have you ever worried about getting mites while traveling with your snakes to the vet?

[L.West]

I called my regular dog/cat vet to inquire if they would send out the fecal for me. They had no problem with doing the fecal without seeing the animal - which makes sense.

I plan to take the fecal samples to them and should something show up that needs to be addressed - then I would obviously follow up with my exotic vets office.

My 3 snakes are all fine but I just wanted to have them checked for my own peace of mind.

[L.West]

This is something I was wondering about too. Sorry if I'm hijacking, but since the topic of quarantine came up, have you ever worried about getting mites while traveling with your snakes to the vet?

Yes, that is a real possibility - which is why I won't take them to the vets office for no reason like getting a fecal done. That is crazy in my mind.

[MissterDog]

I find most vets insist on bringing in your pets more often than is really necessary. I think it comes down to whether or not you feel if it's really needed depending on the state of your pet. In your case I think you're totally fine.

[JodanOrNoDan]

This is something I was wondering about too. Sorry if I'm hijacking, but since the topic of quarantine came up, have you ever worried about getting mites while traveling with your snakes to the vet?

I always worry about mites. I had them once and never want to see one of those things again. If in the rare case a snake does leave my house and comes back, they immediately go into a tub freshly treated with pam and are put in my quarantine rack.

[MissterDog]

Yes, that is a real possibility - which is why I won't take them to the vets office for no reason like getting a fecal done. That is crazy in my mind.

That's what I was worried about, considering how many other reptiles have been there. What precautions/preventive measures do you normally do or would do?

[L.West]

I worry about that when I go to reptile shows. I go overboard with precautions. I strip down in my basement and get right into the shower - clothes get washed.

How do all these vendors at shows keep the mites out of their collections. That would worry me.

By the way, how long do you QT new arrivals??

[bcr229]

That's what I was worried about, considering how many other reptiles have been there. What precautions/preventive measures do you normally do or would do?

I'm not that worried about contamination at the vet's office as I've seen the techs clean and disinfect the exam table after each critter is seen. Not only does it prevent diseases from being spread about, but they really don't want a large constrictor being put down on a table that has strong rabbit or guinea pig scent on it, that wouldn't end well...

Also while my local dog/cat vet doesn't see snakes they've done fecals for me before without doing an exam on the animal. Just bear in mind that they look primarily for worms, not for reptile-specific diseases like crypto which requires a different test.