So here’s what I don’t get…why do you think I wasn’t taking my vet’s advice? The question I asked was regarding the withdrawal time for poultry dust. I didn’t say I wasn’t going to use it. Actually I let her rub a small amount on the mom while we were there and it was extremely effective. By Friday I didn’t see one bug in the whole colony. I asked the question because withdrawal time was not information that my vet had on hand. If she had to research it, then she wasn’t immediately familiar with the topic. I do my own research as well and then we discuss what the best course of action is. That is what I consider a working relationship with a vet. I am very lucky to have an exotics vet here but her specialty is fish. You need surgery on a goldfish you call her…but she’s not as experienced with rodents or reptiles. The clinic does encourage all their vets to take special classes/seminars for all types of exotics. I see this vet because she is the one who works the late shift, which is when I can get in to see them. If she doesn’t have the information she will always research it for me, and there are multiple vets at this hospital for her to confer with as well as great techs who do computer research for her. This forum is also not the only place I would rely on for information. I understand everyone can make mistakes, but it is the one of the places I can come to for opinions from people who work with the animals everyday. Isn't that what forums are for? At least I didn't want info without seeing a vet like some many other beginners I have seen. Just like people on forums make mistakes, I have also seen experienced vets use information that is out of date when there may be a better solution. I also researched at the websites for the manufactures of poultry dust as well as a livestock forum and the MSDS for various insecticides. What I also don’t get is why you feel the need to treat me like I am stupid. As an intelligent, responsible adult I like to take an active role in my animal’s health care. If I seemed irritated at her it was due to her emotional reaction to what I plan to do with my rats, as well as what I consider an exorbitant rate. Yep, that’s right…I think that some vets rip people off because they are also in the business of making money. It’s just like when you go to the mechanic not knowing anything about the car, and they replace your engine when all you needed was an oil change. I do also know vets who charge less than they should and do a lot of charity work for the shelters that I volunteer at as well as for low-income families. Let me assure you my vet is not one of those places, but I pay the money because I respect her level of education and reputation for being a good vet. I can still whine about it because it's still a lot of money to me, and if you're going to be a vet you probably want to get used to people whining about prices because it's going to happen. I also keep myself educated well enough so I know when to ask them if a treatment or test is REALLY necessary because sometimes shockingly enough they aren’t. At least my vet will admit it when she’s asked directly. As far as her reaction to culling my litters for snake food, I will give her a chance to adjust to the news. Sometimes people need a moment. Then if she can’t handle it I will look for a vet who can.



Thank you for the information regarding ivermectin and Revolution. Ivermectin was one of the drugs I have been researching because I have heard of it being given to reptiles to treat internal parasites, and I use it to treat my horse as well. I wasn’t aware that Revolution was based on a similar ingredient, but I have been too busy to thoroughly research it. This was exactly the type of information I was looking for. I haven’t gotten a chance to discuss Revolution with my vet because she had a dog emergency come in, and it was more of a long-term solution than an immediate concern. I realize for some people injectible ivermectin wouldn’t be a good solution if they had to take a bunch of rats in to the office but if it’s a subcutaneous or intramuscular shot that my vet can give me she generally allows me to do the injections myself at home.



Anyway, I am sorry to get under your skin. The good news that my bug problem seems to be under control with the advice from my vet. We decided on a certain spray for the area around the cages and the powder seems to have killed the lice living on the rats. I will follow up with her in a couple of weeks, and then we can discuss long-term solutions. Also, I think it’s great that you are in vet school. I started working with livestock when I was a child and I have been around animals my whole life. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with some incredible vets over the years. I live less than an hour from Davis, which is a great vet school. I even thought about it myself, but I would decided I would rather enjoy my animals in a non-professional capacity. I appreciate those of you with the determination and ambition to go through with it.
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Anna



The Zoo

Corns

1.0 Snow - Cornelius

1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Eek & Boo

1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet

0.1 Hypo - Nikko

0.1 Anery - Missy

0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy

Boas

0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella

Lizards

1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo

Rats

0.1 Dumbo Agouti - Moon

1.0 Silvered Black - Pluto

1.0 Powder Blue - Corner

Plus the breeders

Cats

1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona

0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru

Horses

1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

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