Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Indeed they are adorable pets. In fact, as soon as the tokay trusts you, you will not have any problems with biting. They are extremely easy to care for.

PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING. Most likely it will be wild captured. That $8-$12 reptile has a LOT of hidden costs:

CAGING: At least a 30-40 gallon terrarium with a top. Around $50 or so. This houses one (1) tokay. PLEASE DO ***NOT*** EVEN CONSIDER GETTING A 10 GALLON TANK FOR A TOKAY--THAT'S ENTIRELY TOO SMALL.

VET BILL: ABSOLUTELY required because *ALL*--and I repeat *ALL* wild captured tokays are parasitized. Find a vet who knows how to treat reptiles. Bring in a *fresh* fecal specimen. He may even put it on prophaxsis drugs. This method generally works (mainly for nematodes and flagettes). If you do not do this, YOUR TOKAY WILL DIE in about a year or two, and die slowly. It will lose its appetite gradually and get more lethargic. This vet check--ABSOUTELY REQUIRED--will cost you roughly $70 to $100 (including a follow up). You will free your pet of parasites getting it to the vet.

If your tokay is captive raised, you STILL need to get an initial vet check.

If you are willing to part with about $200, then by all means get that tokay. But please don't buy one and just forgo the vet.

JadeFox

If you are experienced in administrating medications to reptiles you can forgo the vet visit in my opinion. I would prefer to do the medications myself considering I could probably do it with less stres to the animal but the medications must still be aquired at the vet unless you have connections. For the most part you can use Flagyl/Panacur ("shotgun treatment" for these animals although other problems may be present and if you are not experienced in this area a vet visit is a must. In short, expect to do a fair amount of work to get your new pet up to health.

Tell me what are your connections? I fully agree, but I know I cannot possibly get flagyl and panacur without a prescription. Also administration of the correct dose.

My tokay is pretty much used to me giving it medications. I really have no problem getting her to take medication.

I quote:

"If you are experienced in administrating medications to reptiles you can forgo the vet visit in my opinion. I would prefer to do the medications myself considering I could probably do it with less stres to the animal but the medications must still be aquired at the vet unless you have connections. For the most part you can use Flagyl/Panacur ("shotgun treatment" for these animals although other problems may be present and if you are not experienced in this area a vet visit is a must. In short, expect to do a fair amount of work to get your new pet up to health."

Yeah--and some vet trips..in short like I said, $100 - $200 for vet trips, follow ups, medications, and fecal exams.

Jade

I work at a pet store. We are stocked with Flagyl/Panacur/Teramycin/Eurythromycin/Batril etc. Pretty much anything for common problems (infections and so forth). The store is also pretty cheap so you learn to do a little surgery here and there.