Thank You, Readers
Twenty-three years in the past, I used to be contacted by a stranger named Phil Samuelson. He was engaged on a brand new journal about reptiles and wished to know if I’d be involved in writing an occasional article about reptile well being, however, extra importantly, would I be involved in writing a month-to-month veterinary question-and-answer column.
dr. douglas mader
The place did the time go? Pictured on the left is Dr. Mader with Bux, his first pet Burmese python, and 30 years later, not a lot has modified.
I took a few nanosecond to consider it — after all! I had been freelance writing for a number of different magazines, however the alternative to get on board a brand new herp journal on the bottom flooring was thrilling, and I simply couldn’t cross it up.
I used to be solely out of veterinary faculty a little bit over seven years, however my veterinary follow was nearly 100-percent exotics, with nearly all of the sufferers being reptiles. I wish to ship a shout out to the Southern California Herpetological Society and the California Turtle and Tortoise Membership, each organizations with which I did intensive work. Not solely did they refer me hundreds of sufferers over time, however I used to be additionally energetic of their golf equipment, incessantly lecturing and taking part of their occasions. I’m positive that I might not have the intensive expertise that I’ve in the present day if it weren’t for his or her belief and help.
Again when my “Veterinarian Q&A” column began in REPTILES, after all, all of the questions have been submitted in longhand, the old school manner, by way of the U.S. Publish Workplace. I at all times felt badly for lots of the readers, as a result of by the point their letters arrived on the journal’s editorial places of work, have been vetted by the editors, after which forwarded to me (I might obtain one giant envelope a month containing dozens of hand-written or typed letters), as much as eight weeks might have handed for the reason that letter was really written. I believe that lots of the sick animals in query have been lengthy since deceased by the point I received again to a number of the letter writers.
However I did get again to them. I attempted my greatest to reply each letter that was despatched to me.
Throughout this previous 23 years, I’ve answered over 350 questions in over 250 columns, have penned quite a few REPTILES articles, in addition to a number of Reptiles USA options (Reptiles USA, now not being printed, was the annual sister publication of REPTILES). I’ve printed a whole lot of images, together with many excellent photographs borrowed from my nice colleagues, Steve Barten and Wealthy Funk, each top-shelf herp vets themselves.
Throughout this journey, I’ve acquired a whole lot and a whole lot of letters. Most of them featured easy, no-nonsense, herp-health-related questions. Different letter writers simply wished to ship me pictures of their herp pets (I cherished that!). Some wrote nasty letters about their herp vets (I by no means printed any of these), and a few wrote nasty letters about me (REPTILES did publish a number of of these).
As a result of issues I wrote, I’ve been threatened with a lawsuit as soon as, and truly sued one other time. The previous took place after I wrote about treating a snake for mites by wiping the affected animal with a fabric soaked in olive oil. The oil coats the mites, suffocating them, and rids the snake of the ectoparasites. It’s protected and non-toxic, however, after all, that solely holds true in case you really wipe the olive oil on the snake utilizing the fabric, and never dump a complete bottle of olive oil right into a bowl, overlaying your complete snake and basically drowning the affected person!
The lawsuit took place when a letter author sued me and the journal, claiming I used an image of their pet in my column with out permission. This case really went to court docket, however was ultimately thrown out as a result of the animal within the picture was not the individual’s pet, regardless that it seemed prefer it. Even when it had been the individual’s pet, the decide dominated that it will not have mattered, as a result of reptiles do not need a proper to their very own picture except they’re a public determine. Ugh!
As letters gave approach to faxes, and faxes gave approach to emails (typically with a number of picture attachments), I at all times cherished the problem that got here with every inquiry. It was a private purpose to make it possible for I researched all the problems relating to a subject, in order that I might have the ability to present probably the most up-to-date medical info. I can promise that every little thing I put in my columns might be backed up by scientific literature.
I needed to be cautious to stroll the road between merely giving recommendation and making an precise medical analysis — which is prohibited to do in lots of states — with out bodily seeing the affected person in query. Therefore, my normal line, “I can’t inform you for positive with out really seeing your pet reptile, however what you’re describing seems like …” After which at all times ending with, “It’s essential to take your pet to your native herp vet.” Plenty of readers thought this method was a cop out.
Over all of the years and all of the columns, my image has solely appeared within the journal a number of instances. In consequence, most individuals do not know what I appear like. The ensuing anonymity was nice, too, as I may stroll into any herp present, even the large ones like Daytona, and no person knew who I used to be. I used to be capable of mingle, meet individuals, and listen to all about their veterinarians — together with what individuals actually considered me!
Once I started writing my column, I had three pet turtles: Traci, Stella and Dewe. Sadly, I misplaced Dewe to most cancers after 27 years, and I devoted considered one of my columns to him. I’m an enormous believer within the human-pet bond, and I do imagine that one can set up a bond with herps simply as with every furred or feathered creature.
Russ Case, the editor of REPTILES, was the managing editor at first of my tenure with the journal, and his bearded dragons have been sufferers of mine once I lived in Los Angeles. I’ve the best respect for his professionalism and abilities. Thanks, Russ, it has been an honor working with you over time, in addition to with all the varied employees you have got employed. I developed nice friendships with all of them. (The glory has been ours, Doug! —Russ)
I’ve at all times been an advocate for the Affiliation of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, and in closing, want to once more state that in case you have a herp and want , skilled veterinarian, enlist one that could be a member of the ARAV. The “Want a Herp Vet” field on the other web page will aid you to take action.
I’m not leaving the career; it’s simply time to deal with some new challenges. I’ll nonetheless be round and energetic within the herp world. Maybe you’ll see me at a convention or present — however you most likely received’t acknowledge me.
It has been a unbelievable trip.
Thanks REPTILES readers,
Doug
Douglas R. MADER, MS, DVM, DABVP (C/F, R/A), DECZM (HERPETOLOGY), is a graduate of the College of California, Davis. He owns the Marathon Veterinary Hospital within the Conch Republic, and is a world-renowned lecturer, creator and editor. He sits on the overview boards of a number of scientific and veterinary journals.
