Snake with RI, What would you do?

[JoshJP7]

Only speaking from my first snake experience... cost me 50$ for the vet visit which included medication... 5 shots later and my snake was as healthy as can be.

NY and CA... the two most expensive states to live in... yeaaaa!

[starmom]

Only speaking from my first snake experience... cost me 50$ for the vet visit which included medication... 5 shots later and my snake was as healthy as can be.

NY and CA... the two most expensive states to live in... yeaaaa!

Well, I live in Oregon and my vet bill would be higher for the initial appointment, culture, and shots... I called my vet and got a quote last year; just in case. My snakes haven't had any RI's but I bet this year the price will have gone up

[JoshJP7]

thats pretty messed up to me... I took my first two snakes to the vet for a visit and the vet came out and told me there isnt much you can tell someone about a healthy snake... He can do a fecal and make sure there are no parasites but other than that he told me not to bother coming in unless there was an issue. When I had the RI all I had to do was tell him the symptoms and he knew it was an RI. He was very fair and didnt over price the visit. The medication was like 10$ and its 40$ to just meet with the vet... I was expecting to pay atleast 100 but left with a smile on my face when I found out it was only 50$

[johnabrams82]

thanks guys I went ahead and got an appointment for tomorow, if I took it back it would almost certainly die. and i got it for cheap so even after vet visit and meds I'll still be getting him cheap.

[addsdad]

Good luck. Hope it clears up fast.

[edie]

thanks guys I went ahead and got an appointment for tomorow, if I took it back it would almost certainly die. and i got it for cheap so even after vet visit and meds I'll still be getting him cheap.

I'm glad to hear that! Let us know what happens

[starmom]

Good luck! We still want pictures when the snake is well!!

[johnabrams82]

i checked around all of my local vets and found one that everyone recomended highly. ill still bring my NERD book just in case.

[johnabrams82]

ok hes been to the vet she gave me 10 injections of ceftazadime. it ended up costing me 71 dollars 48 for visit and 23 for meds. thanks everyone for the advise

[kc261]

I'm glad you got the snake to the vet. Hopefully the RI will clear up ok.

I am assuming that since it was a local breeder, the snake was not shipped, which means the comments about shipping = stress which may = illness do not apply in this case. So it sounds to me like the snake was ill when sold & when it left the breeder's care. Breeder's should not be willing sick animals, and should be willing to do whatever is necessary to make things right. I recommend that you follow NightLad's advice. Also, posting on Fauna no matter what happens from this point out is a good idea, so people know to beware of this guy's snakes possibly being sick. Just make sure you tell the whole story and be fair, for example he did offer to buy the animal back from you.

When you take it to the vet, get copies of all the paperwork, including your bill, and send it to the guy who had the nerve to sell you an ill animal. He is lucky you don't charge him for your time and aggravation, too. Tell him you would like compensation for dealing with an animal that was ill upon arrival. Make sure to get the vet to note if the infection seemed to be long-standing or not.

Be polite and at least civil in your wording. Don't be afraid to phone him, too. However, in the end, if he refuses to handle this situation in a responsible way that leaves you satisfied, rip him a new one on Fauna. If he is unreasonable and/or rude, other people should know. That said, if he does a good job of offering after-care and compensation, mention that too.