Asking for Snake Illness Help

[BWSmith]

With so many members arriving here on a regular basis, it is important to remind people of a few things regarding asking healthcare advice for their herps.

To my knowledge, there is not a licensed veterinarian on this site. There are a couple vet techs and experienced rehabilitators that can offer sound advice. All we can do is interpret the situation from the information provided and offer a POSSIBLE cause of the illness and a non-regulated treatment. By non-regulated, I mean things to do that do not require a prescription such as temperature changes or OTC topical treatments. When antibiotics are recommended, it is understood that this means to take the animal to a veterinarian so that they can be prescribed and administered properly. Granted, some keepers are able to keep antibiotics on hand. But that comes from years of experience and demonstrated competence that warrants the veterinarian to comfortably give a prescription of an entire bottle. Internet forums are NOT a veterinary consultation source or substitution for proper care from a licensed veterinarian.

Internet forum members can offer an OPINION, but NOT A DIAGNOSIS through the internet.

OK, that being said, you cannot ask for advice if you cannot accurately describe the symptoms. Think of it as going to mechanic without your car and telling them that "it is making a funny noise". A mechanic could not offer a diagnosis from an ambiguous description just as we cannot offer an opinion without the same detail.

Describe the problem IN DETAIL including species (often left out), age, size, housing, temps, and any other ailments or problems (even if they seem minor).

For most situations, a photo is needed. Here is the trick, a crappy photo tells us nothing. I realize that not everyone is a great photographer. But try taking many shots from different angles and distances. One is bound to turn out good. For most of my good photos, it 20-60 shots in a row to get that one. Almost everyone has a digital camera now, so taking lots of photos to find the best one is relatively easy. If you have a clear one that is a bit far away, then try zooming in on a photo editing software and cropping it. Almost every computer comes standard with some type of editing software, not to mention that most cameras come with something now.

ok, I'm done.

[amercnwmn]

LOL you should make that a STICKY thread...
It is good info and something we forget all too often..

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[Reptscue]

I thought so too so I made it a sticky!!!

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[amercnwmn]

HEHE GROOOVY imp:

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[BWSmith]

If I wanted it sticky, I would have been more thorough and eloquent. That was just typing off the top of my head.

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[amercnwmn]

LMAO..well I thought it was direct and to the point..Get all poetic and eloquent we all start droppin like flies ZZZZzzzzzz

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[Reptscue]

OK....well if you would like to be more eloquent. When you get time write it up and we can unstick this...
But I like direct and to the point. That's how I am...

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[NicoleRussell]

I made a sick herp qustionaire a while back outlining what people are to put down if they have concerns--see if perhaps you want to add to it...it's a sticky in HELP

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