1and 1/2 year old beardie, never been to the vet

[SunnyThunder]

Hi, I have a huge family and busy schedule, and I got Sunny on August 16, 2024. I have never taken Sunny to the vet, as my parents don’t believe that she needs to see the vet unless she is showing signs of illness. She has never seen any type of reptiles expert since we’ve got her, so is there any vaccines or anything that i should be worried about? I need answers from experienced owners, but any advice is appreciated.

 

[xp29]

Hi, I have a huge family and busy schedule, and I got Sunny on August 16, 2024. I have never taken Sunny to the vet, as my parents don’t believe that she needs to see the vet unless she is showing signs of illness. She has never seen any type of reptiles expert since we’ve got her, so is there any vaccines or anything that i should be worried about? I need answers from experienced owners, but any advice is appreciated.

Vet check up usually consist of prod, squeeze, a couple spins around on the table and "that'll be $100.00 please"
Well hows my beardie?
"Oh he/she looks great, that'll be $100.00 please"
But what about " " " " " ?
"Just keep doing what your doing, that'll be $100.00 please"
But, but?
"You can pay the receptionist up front, that'll be a $100.00 please"
Unless they do an ultrasound, xray, ct scan, blood work, or fecal (never under any circumstances let them do an enema to get a fecal. They can injure severely or kill your beardie) or some combo of those there isn't much they can tell you that you can't see for yourself.
Sadly I'm not off base much. The simplest thing is to collect a poop sample in a ziplock and drop it off at the vet within 24 of collecting. They can check for parasites that way. Make sure you get a copy of the results and post them here. Vets tend to want to prescribe antibiotics for just in case. There are folks here that can help you decide it antibiotics are actually needed. Keep in mind a small parasite load is normal and does not require treatment. (Antibiotics can be harsh on them)

 

[SunnyThunder]

Ok, thats good to know. The main reason my parents don’t want to take her to the vet is exactly what you said “ $100.00 please”

 

[Sue E.]

If it helps, my dragon is a year and 3 months old and has never been to the vet either. I would definitely take him take him if something was wrong, but he is healthy and Im of the "if it aint broke, dont fix it" mentality lol. But Im certainly no expert and others may have a different point if view. I will say, please please use this forum as much as you need, ask any questions you need to, and post any updates and pics whenever you want. There are some fantastic, experienced dragon keepers here who have helped me tremendously (and a vet tech who checks in regularly too!). The most important things are her heating and lighting (uvb tube lighting). There are some great articles and resources here too on heating, lighting, feeding, supplies etc, you name it that Id suggest you check into. Welcome to the forum!

 

[ChileanTaco]

Mine also never has been. If necessary, I would however go, as in my opinion a small animal doesn't deserve it less. I know some people say a vet is for cats and dogs, and everything else is not worth it, but...

I would definitely take him take him if something was wrong, but he is healthy and Im of the "if it aint broke, dont fix it" mentality lol.

The same is for me. And: Reptile vets are very rare here. There is, if I understood correctly, a "cat and dog" vet that has an "exotics" vet from Santiago coming in once per week, and otherwise the next would be in Santiago, that's some 1400 km away (I would have to go by long-distance bus that takes 24 hours, as reptiles are not allowed on planes).

There are some great articles and resources here too on heating, lighting, feeding, supplies etc, you name it that Id suggest you check into. Welcome to the forum!

I can agree so much! This forum has helped me avoiding cost-intensive and dangerous mistakes such as buying the wrong lamps.

 

[SunnyThunder]

Thanks! That is a huge relief. I was scared I was doing something wrong

 

[Sue E.]

Aww she is adorable! Looking very happy and healthy! Here is mine, Kai, male, (acting all starved because its not a bug day)

 

[SunnyThunder]

Ha! Beardies are the best

 

[OctoberSky37]

I have taken Atticus to the vet once and only because he wasn’t eating all that well and was acting a bit lethargic and he was full of pin worms and cococidia and he did get a very low dose of Antibiotics and he pooped on the vets clipboard so they didn’t need to do anything that would traumatize him to get a sample. Mind you he was bought from a pet store because I didn’t know any better but he is so healthy now. He has went from a 4 inch and maybe a few like 10 grams at purchase and a vet visit was a month later and he was 33 grams and now he is about 11 inches and 72 grams so I am completely happy in knowing I have given him a much better life. This forum literally helped me change all my wrong set up that the pet store told me was adequate that wasn’t I will post a day 1 picture

and now.

 

[Sue E.]

He looks fantastic!

 

[OctoberSky37]

He looks fantastic!

Thanks

 

[Claudiusx]

For what it's worth, I've owned dragons for well over 20 years and I have been to the vet a single time. Maybe twice but I can't really remember. I definitely haven't go in the past 15 years LOL.

-Brandon

 

[SunnyThunder]

Ok, this is all great to know! Thank you!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree, most of the time when they are healthy there isn't a need to go to the vet. It's hard to find a
good vet who knows anything about reptile, too. Sometimes, people will take their dragon into the vet
just for a checkup & maybe a baseline blood test.
It sounds like he is very healthy!

Tracie