Pets You Would Never Take To The Vet

Just wondering, what pets do you have that you would never even consider taking to the vet? For me it’s my fish, even if I found a vet who would see them the stress and such would not be worth it IMO

 

Just wondering, what pets do you have that you would never even consider taking to the vet? For me it’s my fish, even if I found a vet who would see them the stress and such would not be worth it IMO

I'd never take my fish to a vet.

 

Maybe if I had some expensive koi, but other then that, not really worth it.

 

My local vet is pretty bad. I knew someone who didn't know much about fish and took their fish to the vet. The vet just put them down straight away. I will never take fish to that vet because I'm sure they will simply put them down no matter what the problem is. They are no good with other animals either.

 

I've consulted a vet on fish before, but she offered free advice that worked. I take my rescue amphibians and reptiles in for veterinary care when they need it. I don't do routine exams, but for infections and parasites and diagnostics it's a must. Have had bloodwork and xrays on a snake and turtle before! Took my sick tree frog in last month for a consultation to see if I was missing anything. And of course all of our cats, not just for fixing but for routine care and sick visits, am actually dealing with a half dozen serious health problems with the cats right now.

Vets serve their purpose and some do so very well, but you have to find the right one and have an idea of what they are capable of treating.

 

This was not supposed to be the title. This topic was supposed to be about what all pets ( including pets other than fish) you wouldn’t take to the vet

 

Fish

 

Fish or stray Barn cats that people drop off... I just flat out don't have the money to take care of other peoples reject pets!!

 

I would only take my cats to the vet. i've had fish, rats, hamsters, water turtles, african dwarf frogs, and snails. I feel like all of those are too small and uncommon to be worked on and it would cost too much.

 

Hmm... maybe some of my fish. My goldfish I actually might would.

 

Sea Monkeys

 

Sea Monkeys

Ummm I didn't even think those were real

 

Ummm I didn't even think those were real

Really? Here are sea monkeys

 

Really? Here are sea monkeys View attachment 464973

UM What in the world?

 

Marketing ploy. Smh. They're just renamed brine shrimp.

 

UM What in the world?

Brine shrimp!

 

I took Stevie to the vet a few weeks ago. He completely hated the vet because the vet pulled on his beard and held him upside down (which makes them feel very uncomfortable). The vet said I don't have to go again, but I know he needs to be checked on sometimes. So only 4 times in his life, he will go to the vet.

 

Nowadays I wouldn’t take any of my fish to the vet... but when I was a kid, my father was huge into aquariums, and the first time he brought me fishing he let me keep the first fish I ever caught (was just a sunny of some type). I named him “Cookie Monster” and absolutely loved him. Sadly, Cookie Monster ended up getting sick with something and my parents brought him to the vet since this otherwise would’ve been my first loss. The vet prescribed him shots, so for the rest of his life (or at least a good long while) they gave him shots... I think it was something like once a week too... I now think they were crazy for doing so, the shots must’ve been expensive and he was just a sunny, plus all the stress that put him through, but as a kid I appreciated it

 

I would probably take my vet to the fish. The journey would be quite stressful, I'd imagine.

 

Nowadays I wouldn’t take any of my fish to the vet... but when I was a kid, my father was huge into aquariums, and the first time he brought me fishing he let me keep the first fish I ever caught (was just a sunny of some type). I named him “Cookie Monster” and absolutely loved him. Sadly, Cookie Monster ended up getting sick with something and my parents brought him to the vet since this otherwise would’ve been my first loss. The vet prescribed him shots, so for the rest of his life (or at least a good long while) they gave him shots... I think it was something like once a week too... I now think they were crazy for doing so, the shots must’ve been expensive and he was just a sunny, plus all the stress that put him through, but as a kid I appreciated it

Wow, that definitely sounded like they were milking money off your parents.

 

Wow, that definitely sounded like they were milking money off your parents.

Oh probably... wouldn’t be surprised... I don’t even know what type of ailment that would even warrant shots

 

Oh probably... wouldn’t be surprised... I don’t even know what type of ailment that would even warrant shots

Diabetic fish? Lol

 

The only pets I wouldn’t take to the vet would be hermit crabs and fish, simply because there’s not much any vet can do for them that I can’t myself.

Everything else I own would definitely get a vet visit. And to the person who said they wouldn’t bring a water turtle to the vet because of it being “small” really needs to reconsider. I don’t want to bring anyone down, but all reptiles are capable of receiving vet treatment. We have dozens of baby crested geckos, they’re itty bitty, and I would still take them to the vet if there was anything wrong with them. They’re still able to receive antibiotics and what not. Just because an animal is “small” doesn’t mean you deny it treatment, ESPECIALLY if your reasoning is the expense/cost. Any responsible pet owner should have money set aside in case one of them needs emergency vet treatment.

Maybe I feel too passionately about this specific topic because my current job is breeding, selling, and looking after dozens and dozens of reptiles and other animals.

 

I probably wouldn't take my frogs, not because I don't care for them, but because I've never heard of a frog vet in Asutralia. It would just be a stressful waste of time. Nobody really keeps frogs because of license requirements. Wouldn't take my fish either. Definitely would take all of our mammals (dogs, cats, horses, a goat and a minI cow.)

 

The only pets I wouldn’t take to the vet would be hermit crabs and fish, simply because there’s not much any vet can do for them that I can’t myself.

Everything else I own would definitely get a vet visit. And to the person who said they wouldn’t bring a water turtle to the vet because of it being “small” really needs to reconsider. I don’t want to bring anyone down, but all reptiles are capable of receiving vet treatment. We have dozens of baby crested geckos, they’re itty bitty, and I would still take them to the vet if there was anything wrong with them. They’re still able to receive antibiotics and what not. Just because an animal is “small” doesn’t mean you deny it treatment, ESPECIALLY if your reasoning is the expense/cost. Any responsible pet owner should have money set aside in case one of them needs emergency vet treatment.

Maybe I feel too passionately about this specific topic because my current job is breeding, selling, and looking after dozens and dozens of reptiles and other animals.

I’m the same, I have ruled out getting leopard geckos, rodents, turtles and a few other pets because right now I can’t add anything else that would possibly require a vet. I have a cat and dog who have needed a lot of medical care this year, I don’t want to be unable to offer that to another pet because I made a poor choice.

I do think I may second guess taking an amphibian unless the vet is REALLY familiar with amphibians but that’s just another reason not to get one IMO.

I did once have a 5 gram turtle with a really bad URI ( he came to me with it) after a phone consult with the vet they said we could try to treat him but given the size and how far along the URI was he didn’t have much hope baby animals especially turtles can be hard to treat, the shells make injections difficult ( though not impossible)

 

Same with the tiny turtle I took in, a hatchling that had been chewed on by a dog - I checked with the good reptile vet and several other sources and they all said the same thing, too small to do anything for. Keep him in clean water and offer support, and if there were signs of a URI they might be able to treat that. The less stress the better. He did eventually recover on his own with some TLC.

I do respect a vet that will willingly admit when something is out of their hands.

 

Honestly I wouldn’t bring my fish to the vet unless he’s super expensive like a koi or stingray or something. I can treat most things myself for my fish anyways. I probably wouldn’t bring a small lizard or mouse or something to the vet either

 

If I had a pet ant, I wouldn't take it to the vet.

 

I’m the same, I have ruled out getting leopard geckos, rodents, turtles and a few other pets because right now I can’t add anything else that would possibly require a vet. I have a cat and dog who have needed a lot of medical care this year, I don’t want to be unable to offer that to another pet because I made a poor choice.

I do think I may second guess taking an amphibian unless the vet is REALLY familiar with amphibians but that’s just another reason not to get one IMO.

I did once have a 5 gram turtle with a really bad URI ( he came to me with it) after a phone consult with the vet they said we could try to treat him but given the size and how far along the URI was he didn’t have much hope baby animals especially turtles can be hard to treat, the shells make injections difficult ( though not impossible)

Aww that’s awful! Any hatchling is hard to give vet care to, unfortunately. Some just aren’t destined to make it at least you tried! A lot of people aren’t willing to do much for reptiles because they don’t see them the same as a cat or dog (since reptiles aren’t really capabale of certain “emotions” [I hate saying that because they can show enjoyment and whatnot, they just don’t form emotional attachments]). And I do agree on frogs and what not, but it really depends. If it was a tree frog I wouldn’t because they’re delicate and are probably near impossible to treat - but if it was a larger type such as a pixie frog, I would definitely have to give it a try.

But I’m really glad to hear you’re holding off on owning reptiles until you’re able to establish a good back up vet fund! that’s awesome! And if at all possible, try finding a vet before purchasing any animals just to find out if there are any readily available in your area.

 

Just a note: ALL small mammals, reptiles/amphibians, birds, large mammals SHOULD go to a vet ir they are ill or injured. If you can’t afford it, don’t own the animal.

 

A lot of invertebrates (crabs, shrimp, insects, snails and slugs) since they often have very little experience with treating them.

A vet that had a good university degree and decent in google could treat most fish illnesses without issue IMO, especially if its due to something like bacteria - a swab can check for species and sometimes strain.

 

Not sure if this counts, but I did ask a vet for medication advice for a fish once. Showed him pictures and everything. So I guess that's kinda like taking a fish to a vet.

On a side note, I'd never take my pet rock to a vet.