How to find a good reptile vet?

[Sorraia]

First of all - I do NOT need a vet right this instant. I DO want to find a vet BEFORE I need one. And I want a vet who knows what they are doing.

I hope this isn't something that's asked all the time and people are tired of hearing. I tried searching the forum but had no luck finding what I am looking for. So either I used the wrong search terms, or its so buried I can't find it.

I did check the vet listing sticky, did not see any vets listed for my area. If anyone has any recommendations, let me know! (I am in Western Riverside County, California, about 90 miles south-east of Los Angeles and 80 miles north of San Diego).

My question is -
How do I find a good reptile vet? What kind of questions should I ask? What kind of answers should I especially listen for?

I've had snakes in the past, but have not had a need to take them to the vet. I have enough other animals to understand the need for having a good veterinarian on hand, in case medical care is ever needed. I also have enough experience with "exotics" (rats) to understand the need for an experienced AND knowledgeable veterinarian, and not just the first one who says "yeah I can see those". The veterinarian hospital I go to for my dogs and cats has a vet who is an "exotics" vet, and he has done well with my rats. I have not yet interviewed him to see how experienced or knowledgeable he is with reptiles though.

[Snakefood]

search the thread for "worldwide reptile vet list" we've started this to make it easier to find vets in your area!!

[Sorraia]

search the thread for "worldwide reptile vet list" we've started this to make it easier to find vets in your area!!

That's the first thread I checked. The nearest vet listed there is 307 miles away. Surely I can find a qualified veterinarian closer than that!

[Snakefood]

LOL!! man I would hope so!!

[shaunyboy]

once you find a local vet surgery...

call and ask if they have a reptile specialist,if so,would it be possible to talk to them via telephone when the surgerys quiet,usually just before it starts or finishes

once you have a chat with the vet,you will then have a good idea just how qualified he is

cheers shaun

[Sorraia]

once you find a local vet surgery...

call and ask if they have a reptile specialist,if so,would it be possible to talk to them via telephone when the surgerys quiet,usually just before it starts or finishes

once you have a chat with the vet,you will then have a good idea just how qualified he is

cheers shaun

I'm not competent in my abilities to really know though. Its been quite some time since I've had snakes, and when I did I did not have a need to take them to a vet. I know what it takes to find a good dog, cat, or even rat veterinarian, but snakes are new to me. For example... I read the thread "is this vet stupid?" about a vet who recommended flushing a snakes lungs to get a culture to determine what kind of infection the snake has. Until reading (including replies) this thread, I did not know was the procedure for snakes. If I have an idea of what kind of questions to ask the veterinarian, I'll be able to gain a better feel for the vet, without taking the risk when my animals need experienced care. The "exotics" vet at the clinic I take my dogs and cats to says, "Oh yeah I treat reptiles! I also treat birds, rats, and other exotics. That's my specialty, I've been doing it for years." But I don't feel confident with that answer alone, and due to privacy laws they can't tell me about specific clients and outcomes for their treatment. If I knew specific questions to ask, that would be helpful.

Maybe I am just asking for too much?

I just don't like the idea of going in without knowing what to look for and what to expect. I've been to veterinarians who said "Oh yeah I can treat these animals, I've been doing it for years!" only to find out they were too "old school" or didn't really know what they were talking about. Some of those veterinarians even had recommendations from other people!

[Kavyrie]

I would look up some basic questions, including "How would you treat a RI? Scale rot?" and a few other questions. Look around here and see what the most common ailments people come up with, then the answers. See what your vet says after you know the answers to some typical illnesses.

[Charis]

I would look up some basic questions, including "How would you treat a RI? Scale rot?" and a few other questions. Look around here and see what the most common ailments people come up with, then the answers. See what your vet says after you know the answers to some typical illnesses.

This is good advice.

[mykee]

Luck of the draw, and unfortunately the deck is NOT stacked in your favour.

[Sorraia]

Thank you for the help!

I have purchased a book called "What's Wrong with my Snake" by John Rossi and Roxanne Rossi. (What's Wrong With My Snake (Advanced Vivarium Systems): John Rossi, Roxanne Rossi: 9781882770847: Amazon.com: Books (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1882770846/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00))

Is this a good reference to learn about some of the ailments a snake may face and what might be an appropriate course of treatment? If so I can use this as another resource to help me find a good, qualified, vet.

Thanks again.

[shaunyboy]

I'm not competent in my abilities to really know though. Its been quite some time since I've had snakes, and when I did I did not have a need to take them to a vet. I know what it takes to find a good dog, cat, or even rat veterinarian, but snakes are new to me. For example... I read the thread "is this vet stupid?" about a vet who recommended flushing a snakes lungs to get a culture to determine what kind of infection the snake has. Until reading (including replies) this thread, I did not know was the procedure for snakes. If I have an idea of what kind of questions to ask the veterinarian, I'll be able to gain a better feel for the vet, without taking the risk when my animals need experienced care. The "exotics" vet at the clinic I take my dogs and cats to says, "Oh yeah I treat reptiles! I also treat birds, rats, and other exotics. That's my specialty, I've been doing it for years." But I don't feel confident with that answer alone, and due to privacy laws they can't tell me about specific clients and outcomes for their treatment. If I knew specific questions to ask, that would be helpful.

Maybe I am just asking for too much?

I just don't like the idea of going in without knowing what to look for and what to expect. I've been to veterinarians who said "Oh yeah I can treat these animals, I've been doing it for years!" only to find out they were too "old school" or didn't really know what they were talking about. Some of those veterinarians even had recommendations from other people!


you don't have to ask for their client details,but.....

you could say...

to put my mind at ease,what are some of the more complicated treatments you have done on reptiles

ideally,if you could find a reptile keeper in your area,they would be able to reccomend a good vet

i hope you find what your looking for pal

cheers shaun

[Charis]

I have that book too, and find it fairly useful.

[Sorraia]

I am hoping to find a local reptile keeper I can get in touch with and maybe get some references too.

Another question came to mind... when it comes to vet care, is "a snake a snake", or will species matter? I am inclined to think it doesn't matter what species, that all vet care should be similar across species, but thought I would ask just in case.

[Lankyrob]

I am hoping to find a local reptile keeper I can get in touch with and maybe get some references too.

Another question came to mind... when it comes to vet care, is "a snake a snake", or will species matter? I am inclined to think it doesn't matter what species, that all vet care should be similar across species, but thought I would ask just in case.

To an extent a snake is a snake BUT some species have different issues to others.

Imagine dogs, they are basically the same BUT every breed has its nuances/weaknesses that some vets will be more aware of than others.

[Sorraia]

To an extent a snake is a snake BUT some species have different issues to others.

Imagine dogs, they are basically the same BUT every breed has its nuances/weaknesses that some vets will be more aware of than others.

Thanks! That's kind of what I was thinking. Hopefully I can get in touch with some local snake keepers and find some good references to start with. Until then I'll just work on educating myself about some common ailments and typical treatments, and go about interviewing the local "exotics" vets to see who might be worth trying.