Help in picking a veterinarian...

[Adam]

Ok guys, I've just spent close to the past hour looking for experienced exotic vets in my around, and found one...maybe. It's about an hour and a half drive to Urbana Illinois, where the University of Illinois is. They have a vet clinic there, probably run by doctors, and helped out by students. I called them up, and they actually DO have a special "exotics" department, and have what they call an "exotics specialist." Now I asked them about check ups and all, and they said they do that AND they do diagnostic blood work and all that, but when I asked if they do the kind of blood work that can tell me the real sex of little Camille, they said their "expert" didn't know of any kind of test that can tell the gender at this age (7 months for those who don't know).

So what do you think? This is by far the best response I've got from anyone so far. I will keep looking if you think that this isn't the kind of place I want my ig being looked at...but I don't know. I need some giudance from you, my experts. They sound legit, until they mention they don't know of any kind of test like that for the gender. Anyone know the name of a test that determines sex, so I can get specific with them, and maybe find out they know more than they think they do? Let me know what you think...thanks.

[Merlin]

I'm not sure but I beleive the only sort of blood test for sexing would be a DNA type test. I know they do it with parrots but I am not sure whether or not there is one for iguanas.

[Tesa]

Yep Merlin.
(Adam contacted me yesterday via Yahoo messenger.)
Most vets don't do the procedure, but they can send the blood sample off to a lab. There was one place in particular that I remember reading about where they only charged 25 bucks for the test.
Adam is gonna feel out these "specialists" a bit by asking them some basic questions to see if they respond accurately. Hopefully they pass the test.

[Cyndi]

I believe that there is a place in CA that will do a DNA for sexing. And I believe that it was $25.00.

They send you the kit, you collect the sample and send it back.

But I can't remember the name of the place.

[Tesa]

The company is called Zoogen Incorporated. They deal mainly with birds, but are capable of sexing igs also. I tried calling them to get more information, but they are relocating their offices and aren't open for business until Monday, November 8.
Here's the link:
www.zoogen.biz/contact.html