Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,
As I have previously stated to people in my responses I cannot stress enough that all reptiles and amphibians should be checked out by a vet at LEAST once a year. A fecal exam should be performed as eating bugs leaves them open to intestinal parasite infection which can lead to poor health and death
I have also stated that being a reptile and exotic vet technician I rareley get to see the healthy animals that are not near to death. Many of these creature have been brought in too late, and I know of many that have not been brought in at all because many people believe the creatures to be disposable. I constantly hear stories from the people who did bring their animal in when it was near death telling me and the vet I work for about how they used to have this and that and how it died all of a sudden for no apparent reason. It is possible if these creatures would have been brought in to be examined when the illness was first noted, it would have been a simpler problem.
All animals have diseases that are tranferable between them and other species INCLUDING HUMANS. I beleive this is the NUMBER ONE reason to bring you new pet to the vet before your trip home or soon thereafter.
ALWAYS quarentine your animals (and by this I mean keep these animals in a seperate part of your house, or even in another house or place with a seperate air system) for at least 2 weeks.
I know that reptiles can be expensive, I have inherited most of mine from people who decided it was better to dump the on a vets doorstep or in the local petstore than continue to take proper (or improper) care of them. I have learned from younger and untrained experience that is the rare case you are able to fix a health problem by yourself, and its even more expensive to lose the animal you have strived and worked so hard to take care of, just because you decided not to spend the money on the vet trip.
I don't wish to be a jerk, or tell you what to do with your animals, I'm just tired of the pets suffering unessisarily.
If anyone has any questions about what kind of things are recomended or on any procedures surgical or otherwise please feel free to ask, I will be hanging around these forums from now on.
Thanks for listening,
Lauren
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4 Whites Treefrogs (Gleep, Gloop, Gazoo, and Mrs. Chubs)
1 Bearded Dragons (Butterfinger)
1 Mali Uromastyx (Groucho)
1 Nile Monitor (Starbuck)
1 Dendobates Azureus (BoBo)
1 Dendrobates Tinctorius (Stan, the man)
1 Argentine Horned Frogs (Mcfatfat)
1 Togo Starburst
1 Blue Cobalt
1 Rosehair
1 African Spitting Scorpion
1 Betta Splendins
1 Koi (mr. winkie)
1 Spectacled Amazon (Indiana Jones)
2 Button Quail (Bob, Bob)
3 WOW char (they are pets too.)
Even us girls can like slimey scaley and squishy things.

i want to be a vet (exotics only) when i grow up got any tips for stuff to do when you are young, or stuff that looks good on your resume?

Yes, I do.
Do as much research into ALL subjects that you are interested in and then branch out into subject that you may not have as much interest---Say you want to take care of exotics, you have to remember to study on cats and dogs too, as well as large animal. All vets have to work with EVERYTHING in school. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, you will be in for some pretty gross tasks. And before you start out and decide thats what you would absolutly love to do with your life, see if there is a vet near you that will take on an assistant, thats is if you are old enough--if not, keep learning! Thats the best way I've found
Good luck to you! Feel free to ask anymore questions
-Lauren
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4 Whites Treefrogs (Gleep, Gloop, Gazoo, and Mrs. Chubs)
1 Bearded Dragons (Butterfinger)
1 Mali Uromastyx (Groucho)
1 Nile Monitor (Starbuck)
1 Dendobates Azureus (BoBo)
1 Dendrobates Tinctorius (Stan, the man)
1 Argentine Horned Frogs (Mcfatfat)
1 Togo Starburst
1 Blue Cobalt
1 Rosehair
1 African Spitting Scorpion
1 Betta Splendins
1 Koi (mr. winkie)
1 Spectacled Amazon (Indiana Jones)
2 Button Quail (Bob, Bob)
3 WOW char (they are pets too.)
Even us girls can like slimey scaley and squishy things.

thanks for the reply, i know you have to work with other stuff, and that is ok. i just am not a cat person. i am going to job shadow a exotic animal vet for a project and i do herp shows and work and am going to work at the zoo this summer. what does your GPA have to be to get into a good vet school? i also have 22 some pets, mostly frogs and lizards. they are all in my profile. did you always want to work with animals, or be a vet?

As far a GPA goes I have no idea. I'm sure around 3.5 at least, but don't let that stop you. I have always wanted to work with animals since I was very little, but am still undecided about becomeing a vet. I have been working on my artwork alot more recently and I'm thinking that might be worth investing some time in. Its just up to you. You might find a place where you can see only exotics, but as far as I know thats very rare. Good luck!
-Lauren
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4 Whites Treefrogs (Gleep, Gloop, Gazoo, and Mrs. Chubs)
1 Bearded Dragons (Butterfinger)
1 Mali Uromastyx (Groucho)
1 Nile Monitor (Starbuck)
1 Dendobates Azureus (BoBo)
1 Dendrobates Tinctorius (Stan, the man)
1 Argentine Horned Frogs (Mcfatfat)
1 Togo Starburst
1 Blue Cobalt
1 Rosehair
1 African Spitting Scorpion
1 Betta Splendins
1 Koi (mr. winkie)
1 Spectacled Amazon (Indiana Jones)
2 Button Quail (Bob, Bob)
3 WOW char (they are pets too.)
Even us girls can like slimey scaley and squishy things.

thanks for the info. i had no idea wither. i draw a lot too, but have never sold any, here are pics of some, done a lot more though.

more pics:

Those are WONDERFUL! Make sure whatever you do ALWAYS keep drawing and painting. You definitly have alot of talent, I hope to see you someday at a gallery opening or selling you work at herp shows!
Here are a few of mine, I too have no sold any - just donated a few to herp shows. Its hard for me to sell my work, I'm so attached to it, but donating it to a good cause is different.

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4 Whites Treefrogs (Gleep, Gloop, Gazoo, and Mrs. Chubs)
1 Bearded Dragons (Butterfinger)
1 Mali Uromastyx (Groucho)
1 Nile Monitor (Starbuck)
1 Dendobates Azureus (BoBo)
1 Dendrobates Tinctorius (Stan, the man)
1 Argentine Horned Frogs (Mcfatfat)
1 Togo Starburst
1 Blue Cobalt
1 Rosehair
1 African Spitting Scorpion
1 Betta Splendins
1 Koi (mr. winkie)
1 Spectacled Amazon (Indiana Jones)
2 Button Quail (Bob, Bob)
3 WOW char (they are pets too.)
Even us girls can like slimey scaley and squishy things.

wow, i remember seeing the one of the eye in the gallery and thought it was awsome, but didn't know it was yours. good luck with whatever you decide to do!