Reptile patients need the best care possible. Luckily, there are now lots of qualified veterinarians out there that love reptiles just as much, if not more than you do. These veterinarians usually keep up-to-date with the latest standards for treating reptiles, pursue further education and have much more experience working with reptiles. This means that a reptile vet will offer your pet snake with much better medical care. He or she may also be able to diagnose the cause of your pet’s symptoms much more quickly than a regular animal vet.
As with any type of pet illness or disease, the first thing you should do before bringing your pet to the vet is to make an appointment. When you take your pet to see a reptile vet, they will give you a complete examination. They will look at your pet’s eyes, ears, skin, teeth, nails and bite marks to determine which of the disorders or problems you pet might have. They may even want to order some tests to rule out certain diseases or conditions. The last thing you want to do is send your snake to the vet without knowing everything there is to know.
Reptiles come in two basic groups, land and amphibians. There are many differences between these two groups. One of the biggest differences is in the way they think. amphibians are generally more problem-free and don’t often exhibit herpetic behavior; land species tend to be a little bit more unpredictable and herptic in nature. Land turtles and leopard geckos are some amphibians that are often difficult to correctly diagnose by a regular vet.
There are also other differences between amphibians and land-based pets. For one, amphibians are often less expensive than reptiles. This is especially true for pet stores and breeding stocks, which have the lower overhead costs that exotic pet stores do. However, the quality of the animals in these stores may be a lot lower as well. Some of these pet stores may even knowingly sell low-quality reptile stock, especially to those who do not have enough experience with exotic pets.
You should take your time when selecting the best vet for your pet. The first thing you need to do is find out how long the vet has been practicing veterinary care, particularly if you are planning to get exotic pets from that vet. Check out their website for testimonials and ask family and friends for recommendations. Vets who have been practicing for a long time are usually very knowledgeable about their practice and willing to share references.
Many reptile owners prefer to go with her veterinaries because these doctors focus on marine reptile care, where they have a better understanding of what it takes to properly care for these exotic animals. Another important thing to consider is the extent of the doctors education and experience. Be sure that the vet is accredited by the American Association of Reptile and Amphibian Vets or the American Animal Society. Some vets also attend special courses and seminars to keep up with the latest advances in reptile care.
Check out your options carefully when selecting a reptile veterinarian. Your decision should not be based on price alone. Do some research and talk with other reptile owners for suggestions. If you can, choose a clinic that will take care of all of your reptile needs, whether they are big or small. A good reptile veterinarian will have extensive experience dealing with different kinds of reptiles and will always have one on hand for emergency situations.
When you finally decide on a vet, keep in mind that the selection process can take quite a while. It is not a simple decision. Reptiles do not come cheap. Therefore, it is important that you find a competent reptile veterinarian who is willing to spend the time it takes to make sure your pet is completely healthy.
