Vet Check!

[hunterk997]

So I saved up enough money finally to get an appointment for my Russian tortoise. The appointments in general are $56 and the fecal tests are $26 so I saved up $90. I think she might have worms so I decided to get the fecal test as well. She has to go Tuesday. Just wanted to tell this to people who might care.

 

[Tom]

Is something wrong with your tortoise?

You should be able to save money by just taking in a fecal sample. No need for an office visit fee if nothing is wrong.

 

[hunterk997]

Well, her eyes seem a little watery, and she has been yawning and sneezing once or twice a week. And my vet forces you to pay the office fee to get a fecal test :/

 

[Tom]

Your call man. Don't let them give any "vitamin injections". These are often fatal within a day or two after. I would not go to a vet that forced me to pay for things I didn't need, but I have lots of options here.

 

[hunterk997]

This is my first time with this vet, so I'm not sure how he is with tortoises. They said he specializes in reptiles but didn't specifically say tortoises. And I got her at Petco so I want to make sure she is a healthy tort

---

And if he says she needs a vitamin shot should I just deny the shot?

---

Sorry, injection I meant

 

[Tom]

Go for it. It's a good way to meet the vet, establish a relationship, and decide if you think the guy really knows what he's talking about. Many vets don't know tortoises at all and just go read the Internet or a hand book in the back when deciding what to do and what to charge you for. Hopefully this guy will be a good one.

 

[Laura]

if she has worms.. some petco's will pay for the treatment...
If she needs Meds,, A vet cant prescribe them without seeing the animal..

 

[Jenncure]

Deny the vitamin injection, yes.

 

[tortoise007]

there is so much you can do for torts right out of you home! just do some research around TFO and I'm sure you will find all sorts of answers! yawning is not bad, it's just plain cute. For the sneezing just increase temps a little and give nice warm soaks every day for about 15-20 mins.

 

[biochemnerd808]

I'm glad you are having a fecal sample run - always a good choice, and good to get treatment early on if parasites are present!
Good luck, and i hope you have a good experience with this vet.

We have a wonderful reptile vet that I have a good relationship with. Good to have that BEFORE something is seriously wrong.

there is so much you can do for torts right out of you home! just do some research around TFO and I'm sure you will find all sorts of answers! yawning is not bad, it's just plain cute. For the sneezing just increase temps a little and give nice warm soaks every day for about 15-20 mins.

 

[hunterk997]

So my tortoise had her appointment yesterday, she has worms but we have begun her treatment already. He said besides the worms she is very healthy. He said her heart and lungs sound good, and she was 12 ounces which he said was a healthy weight. We asked tons of questions and he seemed like a very reliable reptile vetrinarian and tortoise one too.

 

[exoticsdr]

Better bring some extra, if they find parasites, they are going to want to treat them and medicine costs extra. Doc

So I saved up enough money finally to get an appointment for my Russian tortoise. The appointments in general are $56 and the fecal tests are $26 so I saved up $90. I think she might have worms so I decided to get the fecal test as well. She has to go Tuesday. Just wanted to tell this to people who might care.

 

[Godcomplex]

Thats way too expensive

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

Thats way too expensive

It's pretty common and inexpensive. don't forget to tell us what the Vet said!!

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Well, now that you have invested in a baseline for your tortoise, be sure to avoiding high vet bills in the future by preventing through good care: the right temps, a great variety of foods, making sure it is safe from harm (doggies!).

Try crushed superfine fine (food processor or mortar and pestle) raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds (use fresh, do not store) and butternut squash as part of their regime. Natural dewormers that some farmers still believe in. Worked for my grandpa's now 60+ year old CDTs.

Man made drugs are hard on living things, for every action there is an opposite reaction type of thing. Most are profit driven. If a plant that your tortoise can eat can help prevent, then bring it to the buffet! Remember to check thetortoisetable.org.uk if unsure.

 

[Instinct]

Might be a New York thing.
All the vets in my area make you pay an office visit fee even if there is absolutely nothing wrong. Just walking through the door you already have about $50 on your bill.

Glad you were able to get her to the vet, especially one that is knowledgeable. Fingers crossed that her treatment goes smoothly.

 

[exoticsdr]

I'm curious, if you bring your car into the mechanic and they run diagnostics on it and find nothing wrong, do you get away without a charge?

Never been to or worked in a clinic....MD or Veterinary that didn't charge you an office visit when being seen by the doctor....as a matter of fact, MD offices will charge you a fee for not showing up for a scheduled appointment, that doesn't happen in Vet Med.

Doc

Might be a New York thing.
All the vets in my area make you pay an office visit fee even if there is absolutely nothing wrong. Just walking through the door you already have about $50 on your bill.

Glad you were able to get her to the vet, especially one that is knowledgeable. Fingers crossed that her treatment goes smoothly.

 

[Jd3]

Might be a New York thing.
All the vets in my area make you pay an office visit fee even if there is absolutely nothing wrong. Just walking through the door you already have about $50 on your bill.

Glad you were able to get her to the vet, especially one that is knowledgeable. Fingers crossed that her treatment goes smoothly.

You're paying for the expertise. And not paying that much overall. Someone went to 8 years of school to tell you nothing was wrong.... If you want free then you'll get free quality.

Think of it like going to the doctor, dentist, eye doctor, calling a plumber, etc. if you expect a doctor to check you out for free you should expect what you pay for.