Turtle Vet Advice

jaha127

Does anyone have any suggestions for a vet in BK that specializes in somewhat exotic pets. I just got a red- eared slider turtle, and I want to make sure that he’s okay… I looked at the site for Animal Kind Vet, and they seem like they only service normal pets… do you have any suggestions?

idlewild

Call the NY Zoological Society. They should have a name or two.

carnivore

You should call Animal Kind. They may not get enough traffic in red-eared slider turtles to warrant putting it on their site, yet may still be qualified to care for them. Even if they can't handle your turtle, they should at least be able to give you a recommendation about where to go.

apollonia666

Jaha, I have a friend in Manhattan who had two turtles for several years (she just released them into a pond at her parents' place in West Virginia over Christmas) -- I'll ask her if she has any suggestions for you.

shishkab

FWIW, all vets have to study some herpetology, but that doesn't make them fully qualified. just because my ob/gyn studied some cardiology to pass her boards doesn't mean i want her to operate on my heart, y'know what i'm saying?

last i knew, the vet at AK who was really good with exotics has left the practice. i am not familiar with the new vets there, so i cannot say what their qualifications are.

it's not in bklyn, but Saint Marks Veterinary in manhattan used to have more than one vet who specialized in exotics. if you find no one in bklyn, give st. marks a call to see if they are set up to take your slider. good luck.

idlewild

I forget about Spire Animal Medical Center on E.61st and York in Manhattan. It's like Beth Israel for animals. They should have a whole department dedicated to reptiles.

apollonia666

Alas, my friend had no suggestions. She never had to take her turtles to a vet the whole time she had them. Sorry!

shishkab

Idlewild wrote: I forget about Spire Animal Medical Center on E.61st and York in Manhattan. It's like Beth Israel for animals. They should have a whole department dedicated to reptiles.

they don't; but they do have vets qualified to handle turtles. i didn't mention it since OP didn't say what was potentially wrong with her slider. AMC is awesome for the big problems, the best in the city, but also expensive. i didn't want to assume the problem warranted the big bucks yet.

jaha127

thanks for all the info everyone. There's nothing particulary wrong with my slider... its just that I want to make sure he's okay... espically because he came from a pet store... and I heard lots of rumors about how they treat some of the animals there. Wanted to be safe than sorry.