Blood test to determine sex?

[casperca]

I have never heard of sexing BPs using a blood test. I was wondering if anyone else has? I couldn't find it mentioned in the VPI book. Perhaps a seasoned vet can shed some light on this for me.

[Fearless]

Would guess without saying for sure that it usually isnt done, not necessariy because its not possible but popping and even probing are relatively easy, inexpensive, and much less invasive measures to accurately sex snakes.

[littleindiangirl]

Would guess without saying for sure that it usually isnt done, not necessariy because its not possible but popping and even probing are relatively easy, inexpensive, and much less invasive measures to accurately sex snakes.

Why spend the extra money and time waiting on a lab test when you can pop or probe right there?
Yes you can find out the sex of a snake that way, unless they have a funky gene that makes them genetically a female, but they got male parts. Ahh.. why did I suggest that?

[casperca]

I know all about popping and probing and am capable of both. However, my situation is this: A person in my home town wants to get rid of their two adult balls whom they have never had sexed. I told them that I wanted them if they were females, but cannot get there to probe them for another two weeks. The people getting rid of them called around to see if any vets in the area can do it. They were told that a blood test could be done for about $65 per snake. :eek: I have just never heard of this method used on balls and was wondering if they had contacted an unqualified vet.

Yes you can find out the sex of a snake that way, unless they have a funky gene that makes them genetically a female, but they got male parts. Ahh.. why did I suggest that?

Did you watch "Opera" today? She was talking about people who were transgendered.... Not bps though. hehe.

[casperca]

no one knows the answer to this????

[slartibartfast]

I really doubt you can get any kind of bloodwork done for $5. That costs more than the vet's cost of any lab work I've ever seen. Even the canine heartworm tests we submitted in bulk cost us (the vet) around $8 each, and that's a much more common technology than whatever it is they use to test gender.

Is it possible the owner just misunderstoond?

[littleindiangirl]

You mean 65$ right?? Not 5$. *confused*

[casperca]

Is it possible the owner just misunderstoond?

Nope, but it is possible that you did. It was $65 not $5