Do you take your reptile to the vet?

[Renenet]

I'd definitely take any reptiles in my care to a vet if they were unwell. At this stage - I'm pretty new to keeping - I don't think I'd go for check-ups. As has been mentioned it's stressful for the animal and there's a risk of breaking quarantine.

What happens at a routine check-up? Has anyone taken a reptile to a vet for one of these and had them pick up something you hadn't already noticed?

I took my book along with a diagnosis which also offered a treatment. I just needed the vet to convert the treatment dosages to English and give me them.

What book do you use, Kathy?

 

[Oscar90]

took mine once to my local vet for a checkup he grabbed them behind the head firmly they didnt like that one bit and tried to bite the him. so dont particularly want to go back stressed out my poor babies too much.

 

[maddog-1979]

i had a coastal carpet python, which i'd owned for over 6 years, after about $800 in vet bills it passed from a tumor next to its heart. money wise i could have replaced her 5 times over , but she was a darling little girl and i woulda done almost anything if it had helped her. worst part was the 'experienced' reptile vet spent most of his time on google search trying to diagnose her.

 

[mysnakesau]

........What happens at a routine check-up? Has anyone taken a reptile to a vet for one of these and had them pick up something you hadn't already noticed?

What book do you use, Kathy?

I have two books - What's wrong with my Snake and Reptile Parasites. The Parasites one gives medical treatments for different issues so I took that in to show the vet what I needed. I just don't understand the dosage rates, but the vet at least knew that much.

Routine check up usually involves checking their mouth and throat for infection, check their nose for retained shed, clear eyes and cloaca. ANd my vet would even check under the scales for any evidence of mites. I don't know if taking swabs is a routine thing. I don't take mine for routine check ups so nt sure if they do anymore than this.

 

[Squinty]

There's no poll option for - No. I just put them in the freezer.

 

[Helikaon]

hi Longqi, Do you have access to monofiliment suture material? i see alot of dragons post being run over with mandibular synthesis fractures. I have had excellent success with a figure of 8 suture pulling both halves of the bottom jaw together, leave this in for as long as it is tolerated and they heal very well and can usually eat straight away after the surgery. If this would be helpful for you over there i can happily draw a few pictures of the process for you.

Everything depends on the problem
We are concentrating now on Reptile Rescue
This is giving us all kinds of head aches and heartaches
If a rescued reptile has RI we treat it here with 90%++ success
Same with stomasis which is surprisingly common in wild Retics
Normal cuts and burns we sew up but major damage goes to the vet
example, vehicle incident with possible rib damage that could cause peritonitis straight to vet for decision
Open wounds we usually treat ourselves
With Lower Jaw damage after vehicle hit we usually take the harder option and put them down immediately
as our success rate there with successful feeding again is minimal
Upper jaw we try or damnedest with about 50%++ success

View attachment 217126
This was a lovely cobra about 5ft long I stitched up after it had an argument with a dog
Fed and shed ok so released it in West Bali

 

[Jazzz]

do the people who voted no want to say why? ive only seen lots of yeses...

 

[mysnakesau]

do the people who voted no want to say why? ive only seen lots of yeses...

It wouldn't surprise me if family influence had a lot to do with people not taking their animals to the vet. Yes it a responsibility you need to accept when you take animals home, but try tell that to the other half when they are dead against you wasting money on what they consider un-important. Trust me, there are plenty around like this, and nobody likes to admit it. Its all about money. I am always being told its cheaper to buy another one than to take the one you have to the vet. I absolutely loathe that attitude and I guess its one reason why I chose to start my collection with high quality because I know my husband won't let me pay $800 for a snake and then let it die.

 

[Jazzz]

It wouldn't surprise me if family influence had a lot to do with people not taking their animals to the vet. Yes it a responsibility you need to accept when you take animals home, but try tell that to the other half when they are dead against you wasting money on what they consider un-important. Trust me, there are plenty around like this, and nobody likes to admit it. Its all about money. I am always being told its cheaper to buy another one than to take the one you have to the vet. I absolutely loathe that attitude and I guess its one reason why I chose to start my collection with high quality because I know my husband won't let me pay $800 for a snake and then let it die.

yeah i think people with that kind of attitude really shouldn't have pets... i understand if its thousands of dollars but if your not taking your pet to the vet in the first place to see whats wrong then there's a major problem.

 

[Tegstep]

Interesting points guys.
I think I might make another poll with hidden names, so anyone who was thinking of saying no, but was worried about incrimination can be honest.

 

[abnrmal91]

I only take my snakes to the vet if they need it. No point taking them if they don't. The best think I can recommend is always check you that there are no abnormalities on your repile whilst you have it out. A vigilant keeper will notice a slight physical change on their rep better then any vet in a 15min consultation.

 

[kawasakirider]

To be honest, I don't think people should own animals if they aren't prepared to take them to the vet if they get sick. I sold my 5 speed VT just to take my dogs to the vet, cost me 2 and a half grand to get done what I needed to, but I felt good about doing it.

 

[junglepython2]

do the people who voted no want to say why? ive only seen lots of yeses...

After keeping reptiles for well over 15yrs I feel i am better placed at diagnosing and managing my reptiles then your average cat and dog vet in just about all instances.

To see a true specialist vet would mean a 2-3hr drive and having a sick reptile off heat for 6+ hours would be asking for trouble in most cases.

 

[abnrmal91]

Good point junglepython2. I am lucky to have a specialist reptile vet 10 minutes down the road. As your pointed out the time spent travelling to a vet could become a detriment to their health.

 

[Jazzz]

After keeping reptiles for well over 15yrs I feel i am better placed at diagnosing and managing my reptiles then your average cat and dog vet in just about all instances.

To see a true specialist vet would mean a 2-3hr drive and having a sick reptile off heat for 6+ hours would be asking for trouble in most cases.

yeah those kind of explanations are reasonable, especially with 15yrs of experience. Its just the people who dont want to spend the money that annoy me and would rather buy a new pet.

 

[traceylee]

Absolutely I would.
Without hesitation. I take my kids to the doctor when they are sick; all my pets are my kids too, only in a different form

 

[longqi]

When its just skin or meat damage I use a dis-solvable thread my Gf found
Might be the same stuff?
Damage into organ cavities goes to vet

Money definitely is a major consideration here
I have absolutely no doubt that we've lost a few rescues that may possibly have been saved with major veterinary intervention
But basically we had a few hard choices to make
Save one and run out of cash to save ten??
I make the final decisions and its not that easy at times

In a perfect world everything is perfect
This is not a perfect world