love vs. Money

Collide · 06-19-03, 04:29 PM

I had a bad experience with a vet so please tell me there are good ones out there!

I have a male vailed Chameleon one day he had some discolouration on his back spines(looked like is was gettin ready to shead but just in that spot) Then he shed and when the skin came off his spines in that spot were over half gon. Off to the vet we went $160.00 later we had some cream some skin tests in progress and no diognosess. Well I think it was a fungal or bacterial infection it has cleared up but he has missing spikes on over a inch of his back. The vet never found out what it was

So My question is if u have a have a $80 Chameleon how is it worth spending lots more cash on vets. I would take my veiled again if needed but if a ailment persists how do u justify spending all that cash, I would, but when does the love run out? If his flesh eating desise continued i wouldent have been able to go to the vet again at that time.

Im babling, just wondering what u guys think!

PS he is fine now that happend over a year ago!!

Samba · 06-21-03, 01:33 PM

I think that a pet (even a reptile) is a member of the family. No price can 'justify' their value as a companion and as an owner, you should be more willing than not to make sure sure all your chameleon's needs are met without complaint. Some people pay just $50.00 to adopt a mutt from the pound. These same people would spend $1000's to help that animal out if it needed it.
Part of minimal basic care includes medical services and regular vet-checks. If someone (not you per say) isn't willing to see to their animals this way; the animals would probably be better off with someone who can and will pay the price for their pets.
I think it's great you got your chameleon treated, and I would hope if it needed the vet again, you'd be more than happy to oblige.

Zoe · 06-21-03, 01:36 PM

Yep I agree... just because one animal is worth 50$ and another is worth 5000$, why would it be okay to spend more on the 5000$ one? They are ALL living animals, ALL dependant on me for shelter and food, and, should the need arise, medication or operation. I care as much about my sudan plated lizard than I do my adult Irian Jaya.

Zoe

Jeff_Favelle · 06-21-03, 01:53 PM

But its also ignorant and egotistical to keep some animals alive simply because you "love" them. They din't love you back. They won't miss you. Some animals (and people) were MEANT to die before their time. Its nature. Take dogs for instance. I've seen some old old decrepid dogs that should be put down because they can't walk, can't see, have gone mean, and have no dignity left (yes, dogs have dignity, or at least a close relation to it that there is no word for yet). But these dogs are unceremoniously kept alive by their owners because they can't bear to see the animal out of their life. Sounds all well and good, but how is that fair to the animal? It isn't. They just can't tell you. But if they could, they would.

So when it comes time to decide whether or not to put an animal down, don't just think of the costs. Think of the animal and whether or not it will enjoy life as much as it normally would before its life deteriorated.

Zoe · 06-21-03, 01:57 PM

Well of course, there's a difference between keeping an animal half alive because you can't bear to part with it, and paying for an operation to remove a tumor or something.
If my chameleon got egg bound, I'd pay to get them removed. But if she was 2 1/2 years old, was having seizures, then I'd have her put down.

Zoe

marisa · 06-21-03, 02:00 PM

It's just a matter of choice I guess. But it upsets me too when I see people forcing something to live because they love it. Forcing it to make dozens of stressful vet trips, testing, etc. Dogs especially true Jeff!!! Some people force dogs to go through the most horrible things just because they think the dog appreciates it. In most cases, the dog was ready to go years before.

I think the same applies with snakes, lizards whatever. If a semi-simple cure can be had, or a solution that will be a sure thing then of course pay for it. But I know that if any of my lizards end up needing serious vet trips, months of care, etc just to prolong a life of suffering,. They will be put down if its right for them.

My feelings about them shouldn't come into the equation at all. Period.

Marisa

Collide · 06-21-03, 02:32 PM

Thanks guys i love pondering over crap. Just to let u know i would get my guys for help! Incase that wasent clear. And i see what u meen about keeping pets alive, my bf's mon has a 15 year old yorkie poor thing, she wont put him out of his misory. And i cant seem to find a good vet every one i get recomended to is crap. And the one that is specilasing in reptiles is too far away.

Samba · 06-23-03, 09:33 AM

Collide, if the reptile vet is too far away ( and you aren't willing to make that trip if your animals needed it) perhaps you should re-think your choice of companions. It's good that you would get your guys help if they needed it, but would you make the trip for regular check-ups, diagnostics, etc.?

Jeff, you bring up a valid point, and one that I can identify with, unfortunately. Recently I lost a leopard gecko that had great worth and sentimentality, and watching him suffer was unbearable. I considered putting him down, but at the time I truely believed he would be well again. By the time I discovered him he was on his last leg... it was nice to be the one would held him as he passed away, but also traumatic. He wasn't a geriatric animal and his illness came about suddenly. If I had known he would have suffered I certainly would have put him down. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Collide · 06-23-03, 12:20 PM

When I have too get my cham out of his enclosure (which isent easy) put him in a small carry case keep him warm when its 20 below and drive for a hour to the closest vet who dosent know jack about reptiles and cant diognose my probs, well I gave up. There is one place that i heard is good with reptiles but it would take me 2 hour to get there in toronto trafic. I live just outside city. Dont get me wrong if i noticed anything bad I would have them there in a heart beat.

If you know a vet realitivly close too me let me know I live in Richmond Hll.

My Cham was very friendly and happy b4 all the vet visits now if i see him in normal colours it makes me happy, he is always pissed and the sight of me makes him run away and hide. He seems to not like girls (the vet was a girl) He is fine around my boyfriend. He is smart as hell that cham.

Anyway I know i should be taking them for checkups, but it seems that I know more about chams then the vets I have been too know.

Sorry I know you guys prob think im makeing a bad desision on the vets. But send me to a good one prove me wrong.

And a 4-5 hour vet trip seems to do them more harm then good.

Samba · 06-23-03, 02:34 PM

Just remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I can't tell you if there is a rep-vet around there somewhere, but if I hear of one, I'll let you know!