sorry, i guess it was just a tad too much text. here's the final portion.

Herp Vets:
Your average herp or exotic animal vet is going to cost you a pretty penny. Some people are luckier than others for the fact they have cheaper rates from their vets than you do. But, just because there is a good herp vet, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are experienced with any leaftail gecko. Remember, most people have exotic reptiles such as leopard geckos, bearded dragons, iguanas, ball pythons, etc. It’s more likely that your herp vet is used to animals like this, and not used to leaftail geckos. Ask your vet if he/she has worked on any leaftail geckos before. If not, it wouldn’t be too surprising. But sometimes the vet can only provide you with the possibility of getting answers after performing a series of expensive tests.
If the problem is merely getting a fecal done to test for internal parasites, it can cost as little as $20, or it could cost $40 or more. But your vet should be your best bet of getting the problem accurately diagnosed, as well as get you the proper medication and treatment methods. If you are going to leave your gecko with the vet for some tests to be done, be absolutely sure to get an estimate beforehand, and talk with the vet about your financial limits.
I had problems arise once with a gecko, and I was quoted approximately $250 to treat the problem, however when I got the animal back the bill had skyrocketed to $500, after no one had notified me. Not only that, but the gecko still died the day I got it back. I was able to retrieve approximately $200 of the $500 back since I had never authorized the fact that I could afford a bill like that. The lesson here is talk with your herp vet, and balance the cost of whatever procedures he/she recommends to your financial situation, and how likely you feel your gecko will be able to get better. Honestly, sometimes the vet cannot tell when euthanasia is the best option, but sadly sometimes it is. Ask the vet the risks involved with what he recommends. It is ultimately up to you whether or not to have your gecko treated, but don’t let yourself get stuck with an outrageous bill.
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-Mike Martin
North Carolina

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