Vet in the MD/VA/PA area?
 

First i'd like to say hello to everyone, just made an account on this forum.

After 20 years of having constrictors I've recently decided to do some research and consider getting my first HoT. I apologize if any any of my terminology is wrong, i'm learning as I go.

I've done quite a few searches and from what I gather it's legal to have a venomous snake just illegal to sell them in my state. But that's about as retarded as all the other Virginia laws lol.

Part of my preparation to getting any pet is finding a vet that will be able to take care of him/her if any medical attention is ever needed. With that being said I can't find any vet within a 4 hour drive that is willing or has any experience to treat a venomous snake.

I live in Alexandria, VA 22309 so i'm at the northern tip of Virginia. I don't have a problem with driving to Maryland, Pennsylvania or West Virginia as long as it's with in a 4 hour drive.

I've only took one of my snakes to a vet in the past 20 years and that was to have her probed many years ago. So not all that concerned about the vet being close, chances are i may never actually need to go there. I just want to make sure there is one if i need it.

You could start with these two websites...
http://www.herpvetdirectory.com/ & www.arav.org/

Do you have a venomous mentor to work with? Hopefully you do and they can recommend someone. In the past after gaining a repore with my dog vet I had no problem with seeing a venomous snake. Fortunately I've only had to do this twice with a venomous snake in over 35 years of maintaining them.

Having the correct restraining devises such as tubes, pin stick, tongs, and squeeze box will go a long way to convince your vet that you are responsible and experienced.

Vets are recommended to follow strict protocols when dealing with venomous snakes at the clinic. This can be rather costly. A home visit may be more feasible if available.

The only vet I will go to with my reptiles is Scott Stahl at Stahl Exotic Animal Vet Services. Every other "exotic" vet I've been to were boneheads and didn't have a clue.

I've been fortunate over the years to have outstanding reptile vets.

When I lived in Illinois, Dr. Steve Barton was my vet and his is well known nationally.

My current vet (Cord Offerman) has also won awards with his efforts with reptiles.

What makes a good reptile vet is one that is also a herper!

Dr Stahl is who i take any of my constrictors to if needed. Thankfully i've only needed to visit him once ever. According to his office he does not handle venomous snakes any more :( so that's why i'm asking around.

I'll be sure to check out these websites. I don't have a mentor as i've just started doing all the research on the topic. I would love to meet someone in the 22309 area if any experienced handlers are close by.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Have you asked for a referral?

As in referring me to another vet? I asked but neither of the ladies answering the phone were able to refer me to anyone.

Hmmm. I would see if you can get Stahl on the horn directly. I don't see why he would cease seeing venomous and have no where to direct his clientele to.

Yeah good point. I'll see if I can get a hold of him directly tomorrow and report back here on what I find out.

Alright I was able to talk to Dr Stahl directly today. He wasn't able to recommend any other vet than one in Arizona.

He did mention to check arav.org which Tim had mentioned previously in this thread. Looks like i'll be searching around on the web :)