General vet comments

[hallenhe]

Some of the threads lately have got me thinking along these lines.
Assuming a competent vet, if I am concerned or worried about my chamleon, either 1) it would benefit from a vet visit or 2) it would not. I can either a) take it to the vet or b) not take it to the vet. There are four possible combinations here. In two of them, I am "right": I take it to the vet and it needs the visit; I do not take it and it didn't/doesn't need to visit. In the other two combos, I am wrong: I take it to the vet and it doesn't need to go, or I do not take it when it should be going. Both wrong choices have consequences. If we go to the vet and the chameleon is fine, I've driven 20 miles (we have plenty of vets around, but the preferred reptile vet is out in the country a bit) and paid for an office visit. If I do not go to the vet when I should, I am risking the health, comfort and possibly life of an animal that I care for. At best, I will likely have higher veterinary bills and a more difficult course of treatment when I do go; at worst, I can lose my chameleon. The potential cost of the second mistake is very much greater than of the first. Additionally, if I do go to the vet when I don't need to, it is not all cost - I gain a professional evaluation of my chameleon's health, some peace of mind, and likely an explanation of the behavior that had me worried in the first place.

Just some general comments; only my $0.02.

 

[panthercham]

Some of the threads lately have got me thinking along these lines.
Assuming a competent vet, if I am concerned or worried about my chamleon, either 1) it would benefit from a vet visit or 2) it would not. I can either a) take it to the vet or b) not take it to the vet. There are four possible combinations here. In two of them, I am "right": I take it to the vet and it needs the visit; I do not take it and it didn't/doesn't need to visit. In the other two combos, I am wrong: I take it to the vet and it doesn't need to go, or I do not take it when it should be going. Both wrong choices have consequences. If we go to the vet and the chameleon is fine, I've driven 20 miles (we have plenty of vets around, but the preferred reptile vet is out in the country a bit) and paid for an office visit. If I do not go to the vet when I should, I am risking the health, comfort and possibly life of an animal that I care for. At best, I will likely have higher veterinary bills and a more difficult course of treatment when I do go; at worst, I can lose my chameleon. The potential cost of the second mistake is very much greater than of the first. Additionally, if I do go to the vet when I don't need to, it is not all cost - I gain a professional evaluation of my chameleon's health, some peace of mind, and likely an explanation of the behavior that had me worried in the first place.

Just some general comments; only my $0.02.

Well Said!

If you cant afford to take your cham to the vet or pay for meds or cant be bothered because its too much hassle then you shouldn't even consider owning one.

I am lucky that I have only had to do 1 vet visit and everything was ok but the thought of not going didn't cross my mind. He needed it and it was my responsibility.

Continuing with that thought...that is why so many 'pets' are dumped or taken to shelters as people just don't or cant foot the expense and responsiblilty.

 

[WelshOneEmma]

I totally agree. When my first cham was showing signs of abnormal behaviour, she was rushed straight to the vets. As there were discrepancies on her sex and we thought she had MBD, she had x-rays etc to confirm. She was back and forth, having jabs etc (unfortunately she died - severe kidney disease). When our second cham had a fall, again rushed straight to the vets for an emergency out of hours appointment.

One of the things we looked into BEFORE getting a cham were the potential vets costs etc that go with it (as well as insurance). I don't see any difference between taking responsibility for a child or animal. When you commit to care for an animal, they come first. On months when we have been short on money, we have gone without things to ensure that the animals do not suffer (and one of my cats got hit by a car - always the case when you are short of cash!).

 

[Julirs]

hallenhe-your "scenario" up there fits all animals AND humans!
I think with exotics and the fact that they instinctively hide symptoms of illness as a survival mechanism, knowledge and careful observation of signs of illness are important, and then a Vet visit at the first signs of something serious can actually SAVE you money in the long run. For example, eye issues I try to treat with Terramycin, and then with a stronger antibiotic for eyes, then a Vet visit if I am getting nowhere. But for something like a foot infection-it is an immediate trip to the Vet on first awareness. Do we have a "What to look for" thread as far as illnesses/conditions?
I am hugely lucky to have an experienced Vet and a long term relationship with their practice-who is also very affordable and accomodating-right Todd?