Annual Vet Check-Up a Waste

Hi, I have an approximately 8 month old corn snake and have set up an 'annual check-up' with a veternarian. Is this important to do or more like a scam/waste of time? Because I know they don't need vaccines, etc... I just want to ensure the health of my snake but not waste money on something that is not needed. Any information would be appreciated! And if anyone has taken there snake for a check-up, could you tell me the general stuff they do? Thanks.

Personally, I would only take a reptile to a vet if there was a problem. Annual check up seems like a waste. JMO :cheers:

Make sure you go to a good vet.

It makes a difference what vet you go to. I have had to go a couple of times. It definitely pays to do some homework. It can be expensive and if they aren’t much help; frustrating.

It doesn't hurt to do a yearly fecal exam, this is cheap and most often you don't even need to make an appointment... just drop off some poo. I'd especially recommend this if you get your feeder mice from a pet store. Unfortunatley some vets will overreact just to sucker you into unnecessary treament, but I'd just ask around and find a good one.

I took my snake to the vet for a "well pet exam" and it cost $34. All he did was look her over and say she didn't have any mites and that by looking at her tail she is probably female. All stuff I could have done myself. Don't waste your money and save it for mice or bedding or for when she/he really NEEDS a vet.

* Touch Wood !!! *

In almost 15 years of keeping corns, I have never had to visit a vet once for the snakes.

(Plenty of visits with the cats but never mind)

I do know of an exotics specialist nearby so I know where one is if I need one. Same in the last place I lived. As long as I know of a vet who could look at the snakes if needed, I'm happy.

carol said:

It doesn't hurt to do a yearly fecal exam, this is cheap and most often you don't even need to make an appointment...

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That is my opinion too. This is worth checking once a year and treat your sneke is anything is found. Save your money for more snakes :crazy02:

One thing to mention...a lot of vet's won't do just a fecal exam on an animal without doing an "initial" exam to set up a Vet/Client/Patient relationship. One of the main reasons for this is because they are not supposed to prescribe medicine without having a relationship with the patient. If your snake has intestinal parasites, they may not give you the medicine without seeing her first.

Typically after the first exam and fecal, you should not have to take the snake back unless she is sick. You should also talk to the vet and let him know that since reptiles do not get sick very often (with proper husbandry, that is), and that in the future you would like to just drop off a yearly fecal. Basically, let him know your expectations up front.

By taking your little one to a reptile vet this time, you also can find out how much he knows. This is good information for you because in the case of an emergency, you do not want to be hunting around for a knowledgable reptile vet.

Thanks everyone. Now I'm definitely thinking about cancelling. I would really like to get my snaked sexed though, I don't know where I can go. The exotic pet place I bought my corn from won't do it...

If you want your snake sexed you're better off talking to a local breeder/hobbyist or a petshop that has a good 'exotics' section.

You could even take some very flear photos of the tail section of your snake and we could hazzard a guess for you and it won't cost a cent! You can mail them to me dirrectly if you like and I'll tell you what I think you have.

Cheers,
A

My two cents

I did take my corn to the vet, but only because I adopted him from the local animal shelter. I thought it was a good idea to establish a relationship with a local vet that has a good reputation with snakes (and actually is a snake owner himself). Now I feel extremely comfortable if there is ever another reason to go to the vet. I also feel comfortable calling and asking them if he would be ok with an annual fecal exam now that I've already been there once.