Vet Costs?

[zjuckett]

I recently acquired my WC Graceful, Gracie, and after reading up on here I found that it would be beneficial to call a vet and see how much a checkup would cost. They said 52 bucks JUST to look at her, that doesn't include any sort of fecal analysis or medications that might come alone with it. Uggg. Is this expensive or am I just not used to high price of exotic vet bills?

 

[camimom]

Thats a bit pricey... but it depends on the vet
i have one vet i use thats 35 bucks for an exam..
but i found another thats 65.

try shopping around.
and a vet visit for a fecal is good, being WC she could have parasites.

 

[zjuckett]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking after reading up on some of these sick chammies. I don't want her to have them and realize it when it's too late.

 

[camimom]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking after reading up on some of these sick chammies. I don't want her to have them and realize it when it's too late.

Good job! see youre catching on quick!

 

[jannb]

I think that would be an average price. Be sure to get a fecal. Most that are WC are carrying parasites.

 

[zjuckett]

Do I have to have a prescription to give them to get rid of them or is there some over the counter catch all med that I can buy on the web?

 

[millerman6401]

my vet is $75 for a checkup and everything els is extra. i had to take him in to get xrays and a fecal and it was like $200

 

[zjuckett]

Holy mother of god.

 

[thephotoprincess]

I want to get a microscope so I can check fecals myself. The cost of a microscope is more than a vet visit but when you have several chameleons those add up ...

Do you know anyone with a microscope?

You can buy panacur over the counter but you would have to research the dosage. I would not just give it if you don't know if there are parasites but some people do on all WC.

You can also buy a product called Reptaid. It is a herbal antibiotic said to cure many things including parasites. Some here will say it does not. It won't hurt your chameleon but it may not help.

You may want to call vets in your area and see if you can just bring in a sample to have it checked without having to do an office visit unless there is a problem.

 

[jannb]

Do I have to have a prescription to give them to get rid of them or is there some over the counter catch all med that I can buy on the web?

First the vet will need to do a fecal to see what kind of parasites your cham might have. Then the vet will give you the meds to give your cham for the parasites he/she might have. There's different meds for different parisites. I would not recommend giving your cham any meds that do not come from a vet. I'm sure you could buy them else where but why chance it? I love my guys way too much to treat them with any drug not provided to me by my vet.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

That's about average for a vet exam fee. Even low depending on the area. Be glad your insurance pays part of your human exam fee. My last human exam fee (just to look at me) was $120 before insurance! You'll need to know what parasites you're trying to treat before giving any medication. They don't all do the same thing (or there wouldn't need to be so many).

 

[zjuckett]

Yay! I found a vet that allows me to just bring a stool sample in and it only costs 16.50. Phew. lol

 

[Undertow11]

Sometimes vets offer a "breeder discount"... I know some of the larger vets (like Banfield) will do it. It helps take a bit off the price. Just tell them you're a reptile breeder and you'd like to know if they offer a discount...

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Sometimes vets offer a "breeder discount"... I know some of the larger vets (like Banfield) will do it. It helps take a bit off the price. Just tell them you're a reptile breeder and you'd like to know if they offer a discount...

There is banfields near me! Im gonna check into them. My current is a 50 exam charge and they will do fecals but wont prescribe anything without seeing the animal first.. which is kinda bs...

 

[ChameleonFan1989]

My vet charged me £35 just to look at my cham and for 3 sets of antibiotic shots, it cost me £100 all together.

 

[zjuckett]

Do you think it's unwise just to get the fecal test? She looks healthy. I need to fatten her up a bit, but she seems okay. I just don't want to spend 52 bucks if it's not necessary.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Do you think it's unwise just to get the fecal test? She looks healthy. I need to fatten her up a bit, but she seems okay. I just don't want to spend 52 bucks if it's not necessary.

It may not be a bad idea, but i would wait til after it is hydrated and well fed before any treatments.

 

[Undertow11]

Do you think it's unwise just to get the fecal test? She looks healthy. I need to fatten her up a bit, but she seems okay. I just don't want to spend 52 bucks if it's not necessary.

If you skip the fecal exam, then you need to give the chameleon panacur (or equivalent) to be on the safe side. I have skipped fecal exams before, but I always make sure the chameleon is treated for parasites/worms.

 

[Rottsko]

That's about what I pay and of course the fecal is extra. It's worth it to know my chams are healthy.

 

[zjuckett]

I'm getting such mixed reviews! haha. I love it. And yes, I would wait for a few weeks before taking her in. She needs to hydrate and get comfortable before I just randomly take her to a new and scary place.

Out of curiosity. Is it bad to cover their cages at night like birds? I have them in my room and I turn the lights on every once in a while and they don't seem to wake up but would it be detrimental?