Um... wow

[MedusasOwl]

A friend of mine just got a baby BP, a cute little rescue named Oliver. He's a little underweight, but she'll soon fatten him up. She's a good snake Mom, and I'm delighted for her and the boy! But her vet adventures have been insane, and I just have to share this little bit...

She's called this vet more than once to make sure they take reptiles. "Yes, we take reptiles." So she takes the new kid in for his first checkup and they tell her "Oh, we don't take snakes."

She says "But they told me many times that you treat reptiles" To which he replies "Yes, reptiles...iguanas...lizards...not snakes"



Luckily he referred her to someone else, but... wow. Who knew snakes weren't reptiles? Learn something new every day... Just had to share this. I mean... what the... seriously? And he's a vet? Honestly...

[frankykeno]

Probably not that uncommon Sheree. I know when I phoned around to locate an experienced herp vet back in Michigan I had to specifically ask if they saw snakes. One said they did but only up to a certain size, another said they saw lizards, turtles, etc. but no snakes of any type or size. Ended up that the vet clinic we'd been using for our aged cats had hired a lovely young woman fairly recently and she was pleased to treat snakes. She'd done part of her training in a major zoo and has a real interest and love of snakes. The funny part was how many of the vet techs were afraid of our BP's LOL. Dr. Pam would make them come into the examining room though and at least watch her examine our snakes while the vet tech's that didn't mind snakes assisted her. It was a bit funny to see a vet tech that probably helped hold a rearing horse or a biting dog, be that nervous of a little BP.

[MedusasOwl]

I'm always amused at how many people would rather tangle with a big dog than a snake or bird. *shakes head* Oy.

But even so, wouldn't the thing to say be "We only take certain reptiles" rather than "We take reptiles, not snakes"? That's the part that truely blew my mind. Lots of places won't take snakes, but I'd think most would acknowledge they're reptiles!

[Blu Mongoose]

I don't know what their deal is. I did great dane rescue for years and had to actually body slam attacking 170 lb. dogs to the floor to gain control. GIVE ME A SNAKE ANY DAY!!!!

[JimiSnakes]

People ask me all the time "how can you have snakes with a little girl in the house. Aren't you scared they'll eat her" Wow! You'd think they roamed freely or something. They never even think that their 100lb dog is a bigger threat for me to my daughter than a snake is, as if they hang out together while I'm not there or something. Jeesh!

[tigerlily]

People ask me all the time "how can you have snakes with a little girl in the house. Aren't you scared they'll eat her" Wow! You'd think they roamed freely or something. They never even think that their 100lb dog is a bigger threat for me to my daughter than a snake is, as if they hang out together while I'm not there or something. Jeesh!

I get this quite often too. Since I have snakes, I'm endangering my two young children's lives and I'm a horrible mother. I think a couple actually thought the snakes were free ranging in the house as well. I usually try and be very patient with these people, since they're obviously not dealing with facts but a fear or misconception.

[Blu Mongoose]

Yes my bp is about a foot long and he's wrapped around my wrist sizing me up for supper! All six feet of me. But seriously, my neighbor saw him and asked if I wasn't afraid of him growing up and killing me!!By the way Oliver is an excellent name!

[JimiSnakes]

I get this quite often too. Since I have snakes, I'm endangering my two young children's lives and I'm a horrible mother. I think a couple actually thought the snakes were free ranging in the house as well. I usually try and be very patient with these people, since they're obviously not dealing with facts but a fear or misconception.

I usually grab em by the back of their neck and dunk em in a pale of cold water until they are seeing things my way.

[Mina]

If it makes you guys feel any better, it isn't just with snakes, it is with any animlal that is not commonly kept as a pet, and that people tend to have phobias about. You should hear some of the reactions I have gotten when people find out that I have 18 tarantulas!!!

One of the most common and irritating is they find our about the T's and the next question is " You don't have any of them with you, do you?" Like I'm going to carry an exotic animal around as a common practice!!!! However the last time I got tired of it and said, "What? Oh, yeah, sure. Hang on for just a minute." And started digging around in the pocket of my jeans, she screamed and ran. Yes, I know, not the best PR for exotics but I was fed up!!!!
There is one good thing about the common reactions to my pets, it really cuts down on the number of solicitors that want to come into my house and do a demo. I tell them they are welcome to come in, this house is home to 18 tarantulas, a snake, and 2 pit bulls. I have yet to have anyone come in.

[JimiSnakes]

Rock On!!!