We get all new animals Vet checked in addition to quarantining. We are lucky. Our regular vet had one who can do reptile basics. He also has a referral to a full time exotic as needed. We haven’t needed it yet.
What does everyone else do for vet care for their reptiles?
I live in an area where the nearest Exotic Vet is now a good hour’s drive, instead of the 0.5 miles down the hill anymore. (That vet closed) So far I’ve been lucky not to need a vet, but when and if the time comes we’ll be making the drive. Sometimes ya gotta.
I’m extremely fortunate in that I can take my cats, chinchilla, and snakes all to the same clinic, which is only about a 5-minute drive from my house. They have two dog/cat vets, a small mammal specialist, and a reptile specialist all at the same practice. It’s awesome. Plus two of my former roommates used to work there (one as a receptionist and one as a tech), so I have a good relationship with the vets and their staff.
Only downside is that there is no 24-hour emergency vet for exotics in my town, and the closest option is about an hour away. Still, I know lots of people have to drive farther than that just for appointments during regular business hours, so I really can’t complain.
I happen to be quite lucky in the fact that I live in the same state as Snake Discovery’s facility. It was actually through one of their videos that I found the clinic I now use for my snakes. The state University also has a Veterinary program, and there are several well respected reptile vets including those who do emergency care. I’ve thankfully never needed to use the 24/7 facility that is recommended, as my reptile vet has same day emergency appointments that have been all I need, and It’s only about a 30 minute drive from me. I had one female corn end up eggbound and needing to be spayed two years in a row (yep, spayed twice, it’s a thing) and they got her through both surgeries no problem. Even allowed a payment plan for the second, which is almost unheard of these days.
Surprisingly UCDavis doesn’t have any reptile vets. I was shocked when I found out. Apparently they are known for their large animal program
The University of Minnesota is more known for its equine program, I’m not sure if they have any reptile specialists. That said, the school being here alone means that more graduating vets are local, or staying local. More vets means higher likelihood of specialists in exotics.
My vet is a friend of mine and also my former employer. Dr Clarke (Jennifer) and her husband ( John) own Hillview Vet Clinic which is only 5 minutes or so away from me. Her husband is a large animal vet (horses, pigs, cows, goats, sheep, etc).
Jennifer is not only a dog and cat vet, she’s also a reptile, avian, aquatic, amphibian, pocket pet and so on vet. She operated on a hummingbird once and also neutered a mouse for me so I could keep him with his girlfriend. She has met me at the clinic after hours for an emergency and I have her cell number on speed dial! Lol! She is there for me day or night.
There are now I think 4 other vets, a PT tech (a very good friend of mine), an exotics tech (also a friend of mine) and an animal behaviorist/vet at Hillview.
I have known Jennifer for 14 years (4 of those years I worked for her). Receptionist then kennel attendant and finally vet assistant.
I watched her incorporate a “sugar” wrap on a little dachshund once (her invention btw) that had gotten hit by a car. There was a terrible leg wound that was not healing but the sugar wrap healed up the wound.
Jennifer is without a doubt an over the top talented vet. She is amazing and I was very fortunate to work with and for her because I learned so much……
The perks of a big city life.
Oh yeah! Lol! Franklin IN, an iota tiny blip on the map! Lol! I’m just blessed! 
For some reason I thought you were in San Diego.
No but I have a cousin who lived in San Diego and managed the San Diego Zoo and then the Wild Animal Park. I put that in another thread post so maybe that’s why you thought I was in San Diego……
I did live in San Diego North County when I had my little tortoise, and I used to do the hour’s drive from one end of the county to the other to go see the only exotic vet I could find that seemed reliable, back and forth. I guess that’s why I don’t find my current distance from a vet personally daunting I just worry for the animals. but I have male snakes who are both in excellent shape, (knock on wood).
My reptile very is a 45 min drive but its the only one in cincinnati area so i go lol
Nothing like no other chose