Snakes

[PhillyBoyInTN]

I am a big fan of snakes (have 14 of my own). It is very difficult in my area to find a vet that works with them, and I was wondering if anybody's initial journey into Vet Med began with the thoughts of filling a "void" in animal care.

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[sumstorm]

In my personal experience, there is a lack of investment in snakes to base a business around them. As in, often it is cheaper/easier to replace a snake and/or the issues are husbandry related. Having said that, there are vets who specialize in exotics (reptiles, birds, pocket pets, etc) and there are SA/MA vets who will also treat these species in their regular practice.

I really like snakes...I have at present handled 7 of the most venemous snakes in the world, and I have a huge black rat that lives on our property and that my husband calls my 'pet' because he isn't terribly shy, and he doesn't slither off when I am around (all our dogs are trained not to mess with snakes.)

 

[No Imagination]

I'll admit it, I was a quite avid herper back in the day. Did my share of breeding and selling as well.

Not sure there is a demand for herp vets, as most people in the hobby know far more then the average vet about keeping and treating herp illness'es. With the overall lack of emotional attachment and relative in expense of the animals, not sure there is a spot for a dedicated herp vet (or at least many of them), but im sure i'll be corrected.

 

[StillDreaming]

I don't think there is high enough business in this to be a herp specialist. I am sure there are some vets out there who have a special interest in herps, but probably the majority of their patients might be other small animals or exotics...

I work with herps, and won't say i love it (it's just been a temp job) , but they are fun to wrok with.

 

[bunnity]

While it might not be possible for you to be a herp only vet, I think there is a need for vets that are proficient in various exotics as well as "regular" animals. I know what you mean about there being a gap in the profession to fill. Around here it is really hard to find a good rabbit vet, and good luck trying to find an emergency clinic that will take anything but cats and dogs. I live in a medium to large city with a very active house rabbit society so it's not like there isn't a demand either. If I do come back to the area to practice I really want to learn as much as possible about rabbits and the other exotics (side note - what is exotic about a rabbit?) that need a good vet around here. I wouldn't try to base a whole practice around it though, just have it be one of the species I am comfortable practicing on.

 

[sumstorm]

I don't know what makes a rabbit exotic...where i grew up rabbits were considered livestock. wool and meat production. we had some for that, and a few who were just pets.

 

[bunnity]

Yeah it makes no sense to me, other than the fact that domestic rabbits are technically not native to North America, but I've heard them classified that way a lot.

 

[StillDreaming]

i believe at my local vet school Rabbits are considered exotics and will see that service, not outpatient med or livestock vets

i guess their internal anatomy takes them out of the livestock category here and as for outpatient med... i'm not sure...

I know some local vets who see them regularly, but don't consider themselves small and exotic.

 

[Mistoffeles]

i believe at my local vet school Rabbits are considered exotics and will see that service, not outpatient med or livestock vets

In NYC, rabbits are considered exotic as well. There are 2 referral centers/emergency clinics (AMC and Center For Avians and Exotics) that have staff to see them on an ER basis, one 24hr hospital (Animal Kind), and a few general practice clinics with GPs who see bunnies.

 

[Agkistrodon]

I am a big fan of snakes (have 14 of my own). It is very difficult in my area to find a vet that works with them, and I was wondering if anybody's initial journey into Vet Med began with the thoughts of filling a "void" in animal care.

I also have a huge interest in snakes which coincidentally sparked my interest in becoming a veterinarian. I originally wanted to be a herpetologist but I knew I wouldn't be content merely studying the ecology of reptiles and amphibians.

I have been keeping reptiles and amphibians since I was old enough to walk and talk and I have also been an amateur field herpetologist for about 6 years now (both of which I failed to mention in my VMCAS). What type of snakes do you have? I currently have a ball python, everglades rat snake, brazilian rainbow boa, and a rubber boa. PM me if you want.

 

[PythonChick]

I am a snake/herp fan as well. I volunteer at a local Museum helping to take care of the herp collection, and I have 5 snakes of my own, and have found it generally difficult to find good quality Veterinary care for them. That said, I would certainly love to have snake/herp pets as part of my eventual client base. I agree with what has already been said though, in that there are many challenges that would make it difficult to solely or mainly practice on snakes/herps. There is a three doctor practice local to me that specializes in birds and exotics. They are a great resource, but even for them I believe most of their client base is small mammals and birds. So I think it is feasible to expect to see some snakes/herps, especially if you work in an exotics practice, but I don't know if you could make a go of a career where that is all you see all day.

Unless you found a position as some sort of awesome zoo type herp specialist vet. There is always a chance!