I own four animals (two large dogs, a boa constrictor, and a bearded dragon) and I am well rehearsed in the veterinarian/animal hospital scene. When my boa constrictor suddenly became ill, I had an e... Read More
I own four animals (two large dogs, a boa constrictor, and a bearded dragon) and I am well rehearsed in the veterinarian/animal hospital scene. When my boa constrictor suddenly became ill, I had an extremely hard time finding a reliable reptile veterinarian, as he has never shown signs of illness in his (3 years of) life. I own a bearded dragon as well, and from previous, extensive experience, there was no veterinarian who actually had my trust in handling exotic animals. I had a veterinarian actually say to my face "I haven't seen a reptile in over 10 years; what is his normal routine?" Disgusted, I self diagnosed my dragon and cared for his illness myself (I do have an extensive medical background and am aware of self diagnosis etc.). It turned out to be okay, but my boa was a different story. He became very ill, and was not something I was prepared to deal with on my own. After a few holistic approaches, I turned to Eagle Rise animal hospital. Being jaded from other veterinarians, I was very cynical going into this appointment, however, I was quickly put at ease when a veterinarian named Doctor Hannahbess Thomson-Laing came into the office with a confident look, and reassuring reasoning; she had just finished surgery on a iguana early that day. She handled my stressed boa with ease, listened to my background of husbandry, and prediction of potential illness, and came to a conclusion of her own that was reasonable. Her entire team, even the few that were wary of snakes, handled my baby with a professionalism that could only come from a true love of animals. I followed her extensive routine for care; after the medication ended, and my boa had a few days to show signs of recovery, he became his normal self again. I have never had a person, let alone a veterinarian, care so much about my beloved boa as I did; It was refreshing! After this experience, I will be bringing all my animals to this hospital as I have full trust in their capability to care, diagnose reasonably, and professionally. Read Less