Finding An Exotic Animal Vet

It’s not been an easy task finding a doctor for a lizard! Read the story HERE.

Sadly, there are not many exotic animal veterinarians. So, what constitutes as exotic? Basically, anything considered to be unusual is exotic, these include lizards, snakes, parrots, frogs, sugar gliders, and many more.

I am happy to announce that Lil’ Murph has an appointment on the 8th day of November!

I was referred to a vet last week, but upon visiting their website on 10-12-22 (I learned from our previous experience), I saw they too were curbside care (where they take your animal from you and your vehicle in case you are sick and may kill them). I then called, because sometimes websites aren’t updated. I had to leave a message. In this message, I got to my biggest question, it’s not about cost (I already cancelled two dentist appointments to have all funds I may need for Murph, so we’re good there), it’s “Can I stay with my Beardie throughout the entire visit?” Followed by, “I’ll wear a mask, gloves, I’ll even spritz my entire self with rubbing alcohol. I’ll acquire a hazmat suit.” A kind lady returned my call. I don’t know if she could distinguish through my message that I am entirely serious. She informed me they indeed only allow people inside if their animal is being euthanized (no hazmat suits?). So, nope, that’s not going to work. Our local cat and dog vet lets everyone inside to stay with their animals, and masks are not required. When Murph’s dog brother experienced his mercy killing, our masks would have been filled with tears and snot! I WILL find a place to let me stay with my lizard, my dear friend!

When I seek the assistance of a search engine: “Exotic animal veterinarians,” a small amount pop up, followed by typical cat and dog vets. The following day, on 10-13-22, I called a clinic that did not specify who they treated. I asked if they care for lizards there. As expected, they care for only cats and dogs, but the man I spoke to said he thinks a college can help me. He had heard of the animal care there and searched for them on his computer as we spoke – how kind!

I never considered a college for veterinary care! I called them, and guess what! Not only is our not living there not a problem, but people also come from very many states away to bring their pets, AND, I can stay with Murph, AND masks are optional!! On the following day (Friday), I called the gentleman that suggested this place so that I may thank him. He sounded genuinely happy to know they will allow me to be with Murph and I do not have to reside there to receive care for him.

A great number of people must travel great distances to visit an exotic animal veterinarian. On top of that, what has been terribly frustrating, is the majority of them will not allow us to remain with our scaly, feathered, or furry friends during check-ups, while receiving painful shots, or having blood drawn for testing! They who choose to operate their clinics this way are not receiving our business!

I think this is a legitimate question: If a person can enter an examination room with an elderly parent or child, why are beloved animals any different?

We are often our pets’ only friends. We are their caretakers. Do we not often liken them to our children, do we not refer to ourselves as Mommy or Daddy (or whatever) when speaking to them? My parents called me “Sissy” when speaking to their cats about me! “Are you going to let Sissy hold you?” … and things like that. I was their human sister, and we were family. Some people love their animals more than anyone else, which may not be common, but it definitely happens. Why do most people allow these clinics to decide for us that we cannot stay with our pets when we feel it’s necessary?

Are animals seen as property rather than sentient beings? If vets lost their non-emergency business due to intolerance on the public’s part, I think they would give the people what they want! But they don’t have to, they are all booked weeks and months in advance!

Sometimes, people may not have a choice, maybe they are not capable of traveling further and further to clinics that will allow them to stay with their pets. Still, others who can help to change these behaviors, do not, rather, they choose to go along to get along. It’s true that our animals will likely overcome any trauma after they are home for a while, but that is not the point.

It is my opinion that if we pay for services, we have some degree of entitlement to the level/quality of services we seek. Reasonable expectations are fair, and I expect to stay with my pet. I do not believe this to be an unreasonable request or expectation.

What I’ve learned: 1) When searching for a veterinarian, call AND visit their homepage. 2) Consider taking your pet to a college, but again, visit the site AND call, because sometimes the website states you are to live within that county or state, but that may not be so. 3) Finally, some people are so kind, others are awful. Some float in between, and others are kind, but make no sense (many highly educated, helpful, and life-saving vets included).

Murph is entirely sentient, he has emotions that show physically! If you can spot the quick shot of Murph’s chin, you’ll see his “beard” is blackened. It’s because he us upset! The boy wants what he wants, knows what he wants, and is upset when he knows there’s no justifiable reason why he isn’t experiencing it!

He isn’t happy because we entered through the door of that room that leads outdoors. Murph was so happy outside! I don’t know if he would have headed back to the door or put his nose in the corner to pout. He was already unhappy, when he didn’t maneuver these steps well. If he doesn’t succeed in climbing up and down steps all by himself, he will pout. He wants to be self-reliant (except that he only eats if I hand-feed him). For his morale, I assure him that he’s done it by himself many times, that he is a big boy, my little lizard man.

…yeah, after his little oopsy, I took him outside again.

“Give me Lizardry or give me Death! – Dawn Renée