about my vet, please take a look.

[Shelled TT Lover]

Anybody understands the terms on my vets bill?
Reptile consultation fee. I understand it
But they charged me two times of it for another same animal with same disease, is this alright? The second charge on consultation was reduced to 20, the first was 24.78.

Swab to pals C+S, have no idea. Guess this is for removing damaged tissues.
Baytril injection, don’t know, but the doctor said it is antibiotic.

May be I am being paranoid, I feel my vet is not capable, he didn’t ask about my turtle’s feces, that should be a very important indicator of parasites and other disease. And he is a bit young, no more than 33. (guessing, I didn’t ask, because it is rude)

He didn’t tell me about let the turtle be dry could help to cure the rot shells, actually he didn’t say much about how to take care of them during this period, expecially when they are under antibiotic injections!

Because I am not be able to communicate with doctors on disease as good as you are, I feel I haven’t get enough information from both his oral instructions and prescriptions.

Am I right or being paranoid? Hope I am just over worried about it.

[tortoiselady]

Just being nosey how much was the bill?

[annsimpson1]

I would suggest that if you go back then write down your questions and tell him you didn't understand everything last time, I'm sure he'll understand, if we don't ask we don't find out, if your english isn't very good can't you take someone else with you who'll act as an interpretor or get the vet to write the instructions down. I've often written down what I want to ask if going to the doctors etc its not silly and they don't mind.

[fantapants]

its normal for each visit to cost money for a consult. and its normal for the rate to be reduced. the swab would have been to see what type of infection the animalhad and what it needed to be treated with, then baytril would have been administered. its important that you always ask anything you ae unsure of. tomorow, why dont you call the vets and ask them for more info. tel them that you were all in a panic and forgot to ask questions, they WILL understand! i have been keeping and breeding animals since i was 8 years old and i still get bamboozled when one of them is ill and i am trying to get them treated. its important that you feel you can talk to your vet. call them first, if they dont help and explain the charges, tell them you are not happy and explain why. then findanother vet tha you DO feel you can talk too.

[annsimpson1]

I think the language barrier is the problem

[tortoiselady]

Originally Posted by annsimpson1

I think the language barrier is the problem

You are probably right Ann!

[fantapants]

Originally Posted by annsimpson1

I think the language barrier is the problem

i dont doubt that for a minute but regardless , most vets will be happy to explain everything or atleast put it in clear english text to be translated at a later time. they dont want to lose business by being labeled rip off merchants that charge for treatment they havent discussed. all you have to do is ask a receptionist and they will be able to help.

[Shelled TT Lover]

i am very like to talk to him ASAP, so i called the hospital today, he was not there at that moment, and i asked the reception to let him call me back when he have time but no one contact me yet. I asked them very seriously.

My vet is very busy so I don’t think I can get in touch with him in anytime before the next appointment. I understand everything that he was saying; the problem is he didn’t say much about how to take care of my turtles in the period before next appointment which is next Wednesday, 6 days after the last one.

All he told me was: brush the wound (there are two holes on each of my turtls belly, after swab) with pevedine by tooth brush twice a day. I forgot to ask him about what should I do if I see liquids or blood coming out from the wounds? Because I saw some soft tissue in the wounds this evening, so I didn’t brush it, instead I use a cotton stick, dipped with pevedine and gently rubbed the little hole.

He didn’t ask me many questions.

I did write all my questions on a piece of paper yesterday, but all the questions were about husbandry, diet and precautions. Maybe he was too busy to answer those questions.

About the Reptile consultation fee, I went to there yesterday with two same species turtles suffering same disease. And there are two consultation fees on the bill, the second one reduced from 28.50(with VAT) to 23(with VAT). I just feel, he didn’t have to answer all the questions twice. Swab cost me 35.5(VAT) for both of them.

After read all your post, I conclude that I deserve to ask him questions when we are not in appointment. So I will call him tomorrow!
Just curious, if you want to ask your vets something, can you reach him/her without an appointment, just like a phone call to your friend?

[Shelled TT Lover]

Another thing that bothering me is that, for antibiotic treatment, the consistency is very important, each of my turtles got one shot yesterday, and they have to wait till the next Wednesday, isn’t 6 days waiting too long?

[fantapants]

the time isnt necessarily a big thing, the vet is much better qualified to dictate dosage than any of us here. i think the vet meant to wash the wounds in the solution as they kill germs so the baytril would work from the inside and the wash would work from the outside. it must seem a little cruel but if the vet has toldyou to use a brush, then use a brush as this will remove dead/necrotic tissue.

you CAN call the vets and ask to talk to a nurse whenever you like, they should be able to advise on ALL aspects of care and if they cant , they will ask the vet and get specific advice. just have a full list of questions before you call so you can tick them off the list as they answer them. and dont let them off the phone until you are happy.