Terrifying Vet Visit

[Adama]

So, we just paid $89 for a brief checkup and fecal analysis for our 4 month old beardie. After a visit that involved a lot of condescension (especially over our baby having a balanced diet...he has mostly protein with crickets and reptiworms, as well as Collard greens, mustard greens and butternut squash), they recommended that we 'learn' some more from this great site (http://WWW.reptilespecialists.com). Please check it out and tell me I'm right about wanting money back for everything but the fecal analysis.

Here's some highlights:
-bearded dragons are social and LOVE living in groups
-sand is an ideal substrate for adult dragons because it's easy to clean. Calcium sand is even better because it's SAFER
-pinkie mice are a great staple food (no mention of what ages should not try to eat them)
-romaine lettuce is a great staple food


SERIOUSLY?

 

[Gail]

Wow, I would be looking for a different vet. I don't know if you can get any money back but I sure would let them know how unhappy you are with his advice. If by chance your baby does have parasites, double check here before giving any meds from this vet. The wrong kind can be fatal and I have a feeling this vet is too stupid to realize that.

That site has good advice but then it has some potentially fatal advice right along with it, sad that a vet is recommending it. I wonder how many people are keeping their dragons on calci sand and feeding pinkies, poor things.

 

[Jamiedog]

Vets, like doctors and others in the "super educated" groups of people, should be able to give advice without being condescending. Superiority complex = obnoxious. Yes, you're educated. Doesn't mean everyone else is a total *****. Treat people as intelligent human beings, and they might actually come back to do business with you again! (Not to mention, being willing to listen to those who come in might mean you learn something, too - wisdom can come from unexpected places!) I love my vet simply because she asks us what we think about particular situations, and seems to really listen to what we say!

Is this a vet that specializes in reptiles/exotics? Is there another one in your area? Would definitely consider switching, if there's an alternative... Did you perhaps ask why he recommends that particular site? Wondering where he heard about it - and if he's not a reptile specialist, if perhaps he doesn't know better himself, but doesn't want to admit that!

 

[Adama]

@Gail Will do, thanks

@Jamiedog He does specialize in reptiles and exotics. In fact, it's a university veterinary hospital that have people who specialize in all kinds of species for research, etc. The only other vet in the area has some serious issues...several of his employees have commented on how he talks about strangling animals and several have died there after seemingly routine shots, etc. Hopefully we can find someone within 50 miles that isn't awful.

 

[Adama]

Alright, so the vet has called back to say that we were correct about him having parasites and he recommends treatment (no surprise there). However, he wants to schedule a time to come in an talk about treatment and prescribe something first. We haven't given him a call yet because, first and foremost, the last office visit was $60 (which I find to be absolutely exorbitant) just for them to weigh him, look at him, and give us that BS care website. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to approach this as far as talking to him about it or maybe just trying something like Reptaid? I wouldn't mind going in and even paying the $60 if I thought it would actually add value, which we know from experience it won't.

Thanks all <3

 

[ziggy23]

I see no reason to pay to talk about treating parasites. They don't need to see your animal, except perhaps to weigh it, which vets do for free. And anything they have to say about treatment can't be said in a 5 minute or less phone call via receptionist if they dont' have the time.

With my vet any necessary follow-ups are included in price of the initial check-up. Even if they need 2 or 3 more follow ups. I just have to pay for the meds which is only a few bucks.