You were totally correct: His fecal exam revealed a "high level of parasites," and he was given Metronidazole as you predicted (with another in 2 weeks).

Don't know what this will cost in the end, but so far it's below the financial doomsday I was picturing.

Oddly enough, because of that I'm not as mad as I thought I'd be over a company selling a sick snake at the Expo. Should I consider this a potential risk that I have to accept any time an animal is purchased?