May sound a bit odd... but a picture request :)

[RockyGurly]

Hey all
In a month or two, I'm starting my own small scale reptile rescue in an effort to save homeless herps. But that's only half of it, the other half is I'll be networking (facebook, various forums, my own site, pet store workshops) to try to spread awareness about the many problems with the small pet trade, and urge people do to their research.
So, I have a BIG request for you guys that I would REALLY appreciate!
It sounds weird, but I'm looking for pictures of cresties with various ailments. I'm not overly familiar with them, I know of MBD and impaction (but impaction is more something you feel) but are there any others? (oh, there's also dropped tails, would love a pic of that) I want to use these pictures to help myself be able to identify certain ailments, but I'd also like to share them with people. Kind of a help them help themselves thing. I've looked and looked, but so far I haven't found any small animal specialist vets in the area, or near it, so if I get in sick animals (and I'm sure I will) I'll be doing all the diagnosing and treating myself. So I want to be very familiar with what I'm dealing with, and how to deal with it.
And also, if you've ever rescued a crestie from poor conditions, and have a picture of the crestie and the conditions it was in, and a picture of him now, happy and healthy (or not, if he didn't make it ) I would appreciate that as well.
I know, it sounds kind of creepy, but my main goal with this whole thing is to stop the mentality that small animals are "justs" (It's just a hermit crab/lizard/snake, so why bother/care/try) I want people to realize just how bad it really is, and maybe encourage them to start doing their own digging, and start asking the hard questions when they buy or adopt an animal, and realize that the lives of these small animals are just as valuable as doggies or kitties, even if they're not portrayed as such by the pet industry.


And I'll make another post when it gets closer, but if anyone in the lower BC area (Canada) has a home available for cresties or various lizards, I'll be based in Coldstream, about 10 minutes from Vernon I'm not sure what kind of response I'll get, but I'm trying to compile a list of people who could adopt animals I get in after they've had some TLC.

Thanks!
~Elise

[Boanyoo]

Before starting a rescue, you should really have a vet resource. This; "I'll be doing all the diagnosing and treating myself" kind of worries me, in all honesty.
I love the idea of a resource for self diagnosis, JB has a good example of that on her site, but if you start taking in animals who are in need there will be a point when you wont have the skills to being them around on your own. So before you go too far, i would highly suggest getting a vet resource that you could at least call for advice.

For now, if you are super serious about starting a rescue, i would invest in a exotics veterinary manual. I almost got one my self because they are FULL of useful stuff. That way you will have a great understanding of the common issues, so that when you start your resource you can help everyone. I truly respect and admire what you are doing, but you will have to reach out for help when it becomes bigger than yourself, or when that little crestie falls into your lap that needs more help than you alone can give.

[Jess0o13]

I very much agree with what was stated above. Many times it takes a trained professional to diagnose and properly treat an ailing animal. Without proper medical knowledge (dosage requirements, access to proper medications, access to proper elements of treatments and diagnostics) you can sometimes end up doing more harm than good. I know your heart is in the right place, but things need to be evaluated from all possible angles.

[cassicat4]

Which vets have you contacted?

I ask because both Vernon Veterinary Clinic and Crescent Falls Vet Clinic out of Vernon have information on reptiles on their websites, and the Vernon clinic explicitly states they offer Exotic animal services. While they may not be considered "herp vets" per se, the fact that they do see these animals means they have some degree of knowledge, at the very least, the ability to conduct basic fecal and physical examinations, both which should be considered the first course of action with any new animal that arrives at your rescue.

It's also important you have vets you can refer your potential buyers to in the event they run into issues. Unless you have been specifically trained in the veterinary field, taking on the task of self-diagnosis and treatment is very risky for the animal, and doesn't lend you much in the way of credibility when you try and rehome the animal with a clean bill of health. Many of the medications required to treat certain conditions also aren't available to the general public. Unless you have veterinary training yourself, or have a reliable veterinarian contact or on staff, people will find it hard to trust what you're offering. They're much more likely to turn their animals over to the humane society instead, or worse yet, try and deal with the issues themselves if there is no shelter nearby.

While I strongly encourage you to do as much research as possible into the variety of ailments that commonly affect reptiles (so you can properly identify when the reptile is sick/in need of treatment) it is important you have a reliable veterinary resource on hand as well.

I'm not disputing your potential knowledge/experience, nor am I trying to discourage you. I'm just stressing the importance of ensuring the basics are in place before you take on the task of running a rescue.

[RockyGurly]

Thanks guys You're right to worry, it does sound kind of sketchy, I know. But I'm more concerned about becoming familiar with the basics, the things that I CAN treat myself, or at least learn how to. I'll admit I've only found a few nearby clinics online and the two that have responded said they only dealt with mammals (and one hasn't responded) but I'll go talk to people in person and find a vet I can go to for serious issues. And thanks again cassicat! I think I must of missed those ones (oops >.< ) but I'll definitely shoot them an email
The exotic veterinary book sounds awesome! I wasn't sure if you could really get much besides the silly care books they sell in pet stores.
I'll admit I might of jumped the gun a little bit with asking for advice on forums already, but I won't be taking anyone in for a few months, I'm just trying to prepare as much as I can before then. (Ok, and I am a little excited. I've been thinking about this for a long time and it just feels like what I want to do with my life)
But, thanks again everyone! I appreciate all the advice, I really do (and the criticism sometimes I need to reminded not to bite off more than I can chew)

[RockyGurly]

After more reading and digging, a vet is a must I was hoping to do everything myself but, whatever's best for the animals right? (I think I've been dealing with sick hermit crabs for too long and it's rubbed off on me >.< )
I'll make sure I have access to at least one vet who can help me out during emergencies. I guess I got a little bit ahead of myself
However, I'm still totally open for advice about more common, easily treated ailments I'm making myself a book I can refer to for small things like small cuts or injuries, minor MBD, internal parasites and having trouble getting shed skin off. But if there's anything I might of missed, or something crestie specific I should know about, I'd love to know it (or be pointed in the direction of a care sheet or website that can help)
I'm also compiling a list for performing a basic physical on a critter, to check for impaction, parasites, possible MBD, gravid females, etc. as well as a game plan for quarantining and monitoring a new critter. So far the plan is a simple enclosure with paper towels to monitor behaviour and poops, and I'm hoping to clear out the crawlspace connected tot he room they'll be housed in to set up an isolation area. (it's a really big crawlspace, just really dirty after all these years)

[eagldreamer]

Kudos for starting a rescue and for doing your research. I would be more heart, than head in starting such a thing! Thanks for the posts about doing things the right way. I have a few pics of geckos with dropped tails, which is NOT a disease, but two of my adults and two youngsters have dropped theirs and for what reason, I HAVE no idea, it just happened. Eh Hem, correction: One I do know how, the cat got into the cage one night, when I accidentally left it open. That's what happens when I fall asleep on the couch and sleepily feed! After that, I made sure my cages were secure! She went on, even tho she is named Teenie, as the smallest and slowest growing one I have ever had, to be a great Mom and make beautiful babies AND a sweet personality. Thanks for saving critters. I am into Wild Bird Rescue and I would never start one on my own, I join in with those who have the know-how! Enjoy your new passion!

[RockyGurly]

Alright, I'm currently looking into getting myself set up so I can do simple fecal examinations and blood work with a microscope, and I'm reaching out to some vets to see if either would be interested in helping me out or possibly meeting up with me to discuss how we could help each other.
I'm also working on my big book of diagnosing, and my first aid kit. I do plan on treating the things I can myself, but I want to be able to at least help an animal in an emergency situation while he's waiting for professional treatment.
I'm also working on a game plan, which includes setting limits for myself as much as I'd love to take them all I realize my abilities an space restrictions will limit me a bit, and I'd rather provide the best for a few then barely enough for many. I'm familiar with the care of lots of the basic/common critters, but it's aquatic animals who require large enclosures that pose the problem.
I'm trying now to focus on the things I'm more likely to run into, anything species specific I should be watching out for, and what I can treat versus what I can't treat.
I'm also arranging to meet up with this seriously awesome dude! http://thereptileguy.info/index.php
He has a MASSIVE reptile rescue set up.. only 4 hours away from me! I'm hoping to get some advice from him and learn a thing or three. I'm already learning tips and tricks with housing and medical care through his videos. (also, his education center looks like a blast and a half!)
(and I'm thinking of adopting some of his brown bark scorpions, he got a pregnant female in who had 42 babies o_o they're basic to care for and can live communlly, so I'm thinking of taking 5 or 6 and possibly adopting a couple out if the right, experienced person comes along)