Locating a Dragon Doc

[imsarah]

I get the idea that my regular Cat/Dog Dr isn't where I take my dragons for a checkup... How do I go about locating a vet that treats reptiles in my area. I suppose I could go to my local reptile store and ask them, but I'm lazy and don't feel like hopping in my car to drive two blocks away just to ask a question.

 

[nesta's mommy]

http://www.herpvetconnection.com

 

[imsarah]

Thanks Mommy, I think the closest one on that list to me is Riverside and thats a bit of a drive. I went ahead and got off my lazy butt and drove down to the reptile store. What a waste of time that was. I stood there patiently while the kid that worked there took about five minutes to explain that he didn't know where it was they took their animals for medical care.... but he wished he did... he knew there was a vets office in the same complex, he didn't know if they worked on reptiles though... they had a customer once that recommended someone, but he couldnt remember who... he wished he did...
I just told him I'd check the internet.
I may have to pick up a phonebook... gah!

 

[pscaulkins]

Here is what I did when I first got my dragons. I called a vet and asked them if they seen reptiles and if not who they would recommend. I then took a tally and the vet office most recommended, I called. I just went down the yellow pages. I know it is a lot of work but you get an idea who is well known and who isn't. Then call the vet and ask some basic questions to see how acknowledgeable they are. Such as if they do bloodwork and xrays on dragons. You will be amazed at the answers you get. Pick the one that you are most impressed with. Not all reptile vets are listed on lists but vets in your area will know who specializes in what.

 

[imsarah]

Good idea, thanks. I'd just like to have someone I know I can call or go to if theres an emergency ya know? Like I do for my dog or my cat. Plus, its probably a good idea just to take them in for a checkup anyway to be sure they're healthy, and I don't want to go to just any vet that might not know for sure about the ins and outs of beardie health. Of all the times I've ever been to my regular vets office with my dog or cat, I can't say I've EVER seen anything other than dogs or cats there. No bunnies, birds, reptiles, nothing. He's a really nice guy, I just don't know that he'd know how to truthfully tell me whether my beardies were healthy or not.