Your boa and the vet

[LINEBACKER 2]

How often have you people taken your boa to the vet? And, under what circumstances would you take your boa to the vet?

Steve

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Because most common illnesses can be home-treated under the proper care and medications, I would only take a snake to the vet if the circumstances were out of my own control. However, I would recommend a trip to the vet with any apparant illness, and for all the common illnesses of snakes. These include but are not limited to respiratory infection, parasites, mouth rot, prolapses or any other odd and ill behaviour. I would also take fecals of your snake on a bi-monthly basis, just to be safe. For such the small fee, it is worth it in my opinion.

[LINEBACKER 2]

What is it worth to get a fecal analzysis ?

Steve

[Lrptls]

i'v taken 2 boas to the vet, one i took twice. the first time i took the 2 boas to the vet i just got them. one had severe deformities from its last owner and the other had a large open wound on its head. the one with the wound was the one i took again basicaly for a check up.
you should go to redtailboas.com and read up on the illnesses, diseases and parasites boas can get. it explains exactly how boas can get them and what to do to treat them. some ofcourse, if they are severe, should be seen by a vet.
my vet here is pretty cheap, i had to get 2 fecal tests done on my monitor a few months ago, they were $13 each.

[zouleous]

I take mine once a year. I do it for a few reasons. One of them is because I like to have a vet to take my snakes to if they really are sick. I believe not enough people take their snakes for regular check-ups or even when they do have problems. This leads to a less experienced vet, and when my animal is sick I want the best treatment by the most experienced vet.

So I support my local vet. I think it's a small price to pay anually for what benefits it creates. If everyone did it we'd all be much better off. And hey you never know...the vet may find something even if you think you know a lot about snakes and you think your snake is healthy.

Z

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Because internal parasites can be transferred very easily, from contact with an infected animal preceding contact with your animal, to a feeder item contaminated with parasites - I would definitely say it is worth it. Cost wise, it usually runs between $10.00 - $20.00 (CDN funds).

[LINEBACKER 2]

That's it? Wow... well... maybe I'll take mine to a vet for a check up sometime. I know that vets don't deal with large boas everyday and I don't want to feel ripped off.

What's it worth for a check up?

Steve

[ReptiliansDOTca]

For a check-up, it usually runs in and around $100.00.

[Lrptls]

i took my boa and a lizard to the vet for a check up it was $35

[LINEBACKER 2]

Well, if anyone who lives in Calgary knows of a good vet for check ups, let me know.

Steve