These days, reptiles are increasingly popular pets. They’re relatively low maintenance, and many people find them fascinating. However, raising a reptile can produce some unexpected challenges like finding a trustworthy vet. Not every vet has the experience or knowledge to care for reptiles. We’ll look at the most effective ways of finding a trustworthy vet for your beloved pet.
First: Why Do Reptiles Need Specialized Vets?
Reptiles like bearded dragons, iguanas, and turtles are exotic animals. Many regular vets don’t have the knowledge or experience with these animals to confidently provide treatment. They may be able to perform a general check-up. However, specialized treatment for reptile diseases could be beyond their training. It’s also possible that they won’t have access to the necessary antibiotics and medications that your reptile pet needs. Even worse, they may prescribe the wrong drugs. This can have devastating effects, and nobody wants to experience the trauma of an adverse reaction.
That’s why it’s crucial to identify your nearest trusted reptile vet. The problem is that there may not be one available in your immediate locality. You may need to travel to another bigger town or city to find a good reptile vet. This is something to consider before getting a pet. New reptile owners should be able to care for their pets properly. If you can’t provide emergency healthcare for your animal, maybe it’s time to reconsider.
Check Online Resources for Recommendations
Most people will search online for their closest reptile vet. A preliminary search may not produce many clear results. But don’t worry because several great resources will make this even easier. Try using the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians’ special search engine. Reptile Vet Search is a great resource that’s very useful for people living in North America and across the world. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK also has an online database of practices.
Some reptile pet owners may be lucky enough to have multiple options nearby. This is great, but it’s wise to narrow your options. The easiest way to do this is to read the reviews online. Nothing creates trust like a word-of-mouth recommendation. If there is consistently positive feedback, it’s generally a good sign.
Online forums on Reddit and other websites are another place to get advice from people. It’s not quite the same as getting advice in real life. However, these forums can bring like-minded people together and create communities. Remember, users may not be experts so exercise caution.
Ask Generalized Veterinarians for Recommendations
Another great way to find a trustworthy vet is to go into a local practice and ask for recommendations. Even if a veterinarian only works with cats and dogs, they may refer reptile owners to their colleagues or other professionals in the field. Some veterinarians may work with reptiles but not advertise these services online.
They could also point you in the direction of telehealth services for reptiles. These services don’t require in-person appointments, and they’re generally recommended for common health conditions that only require antibiotics. Still, it’s good to have a regular veterinarian for your exotic animal in case any emergencies arise. Again, asking a local veterinarian for insight could be your best option in finding the provider that’s right for your animal.
What to Expect When Visiting a Reptile Vet
Upon bringing your pet reptile to a veterinarian, they will:
Perform a Physical Exam
It doesn’t matter if it’s a pet snake, parrot, or chinchilla, a vet should perform a physical exam. They’ll examine the animal’s physical characteristics and behavior. Maybe it has symptoms like cysts or discolorations, or maybe they’re unusually lethargic. Vets always perform a physical exam regardless of the type of animal.
Conduct Proper Testing
If the vet can’t immediately diagnose a health problem, they may need to perform further tests. Bloodwork is very common to identify if an animal has any problems with organs like kidneys or the liver.
Calcium abnormalities are very common in reptiles. This can happen if they don’t have the correct UV lighting or if their diet is incorrect. Many reptiles may also need testing for parasites. Often, it’s impossible to diagnose these without testing.
Note that diagnostic testing can be expensive. The good news is that many pet insurance policies cover reptiles and offer coverage. They can also cover the cost of medications, surgeries, and overnight hospital stays.
Run Imaging Scans
Running imaging scans is another very common practice for reptile vets. This may be necessary if an animal could have broken a bone or suffer from a metabolic bone disease. Imaging is also useful to check the condition of certain organs.
Offer Diagnosis and Treatment
The vet should be able to give an official diagnosis based on their findings. Then they’ll advise the correct course of treatment for your pet’s malady. This is the part when it’s important to have a specialized reptile vet. There’s a better chance that they’ll know the right way to help your pet overcome its health issues. Regular vets may rely on guesswork and their experience with other types of animals like birds. You want to visit a medical professional who understands your reptile’s health profile and can benefit their well-being.
Explain Your Next Steps
When you visit a reptile vet, they’ll likely end your appointment by offering additional insight into promoting your pet’s health. This may include installing different UV lights, changing their diet, or expanding their enclosure.
