You might have considered taking your reptile, snake or lizard‘s pet to a cat or dog specialist, but probably this is not a very good idea. In veterinary school, soon to be vets generally spend most of their time studying about cats, dogs and other normal household pets. And in your case, you are not a normal household pet. So, unless you are a vet or know one who is, a cat or dog specialist is not the best person to take your pet to for checkups. Let me explain.
All veterinarians treat reptiles differently. Like all animals, reptiles have special needs that are not met by “regular” people. Specialized veterinarians, such as snakes veterinarians, have been designed to handle reptiles much differently than “regular” veterinarians. So unless your snake is going to need particular specialized medical attention, it’s probably best if you entrust that responsibility to someone who knows all about these reptiles.
It should be mentioned that just because your pet is an exotic pet does not mean that it cannot receive the same veterinary care as your other pets. This is true with all types of pets including amphibians, lizards and snakes. But just because they are exotic doesn’t mean that they can’t be dealt with the same as other pets. You can keep your pet on a regular schedule, just as you would with any other animal. And you can have those regular checkups as well.
So what exactly is involved in reptile care? Well the first thing that you need to do is find a reptile vet who has experience dealing with these unique pets. Many new veterinarians don’t understand the complicated nature of reptile care. And that can lead to your reptile pet being mistreated, having injuries or even die.
In order to be sure that you are getting a true reptile vet you will want to do some research. And luckily, internet access has made it very easy to find qualified vets who specialize in reptile care. The internet also makes it easy to compare different vets and learn about their services and reputation.
Reptiles require special attention in many regards. They need special diets, unique temperatures and humidity levels. All of these can be difficult for a vet to maintain. A good reptile vet will be able to mimic these environmental needs for your pets without it being at risk for your pet. And, in turn, he will be able to make your exotic pets healthy and happy.
Your chosen reptile veterinarian should be willing to answer any questions that you may have regarding your reptile. This is extremely important. If you don’t feel comfortable with your prospective vet then you should not take the risk. Remember, you will be investing a lot of money into your reptiles’ health and well being so you should feel confident with your chosen reptile veterinarian.
By following these few simple steps, you can find the best reptile veterinarian for you and your pets. Reptiles are among the most unique pets around. No two reptile species are alike. So, it’s important that you choose a reptile veterinarian that will work closely with you and understand your pets specific needs. Once you choose one, you can rest easy knowing that you are making a great choice.
Reptiles need special attention in terms of health care. In fact, they require much more care than your common pets. A reptile vet can diagnose a wide array of conditions and disease accurately. They also provide preventative health care by keeping your pet well groomed and clean. Proper reptile vet care can prevent serious conditions such as heat stroke and arthritis.
For amphibians, keep in mind that they do have different requirements than reptile veterinarians. Like all amphibians, they are at risk for heat stroke. Because many amphibians live in warm water, they must have access to a source of water for swimming and other activities. Reptiles, on the other hand, spend the majority of their time in cool water. Because of this, they are not considered to be high risk amphibians.
These are just a few of the differences between standard pet vet care and reptile vet care. No matter what kind of lifestyle you have, you should always consider seeing a specialist. Keeping a reptile pet can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Make sure you choose the best vet for your reptile pets by paying attention to the following tips.