Dr Frye is usually very reasonable with costs. I would call Brook Falls and just get their opinion right now. Honestly...slowly starving to death is far more stressful than a bit of a drive for a possible answer and treatment. There is also a possibility of only having to drive the fecal samples and skin swabs there too. That's why I would call and talk to someone. They are really amazing people and very understanding of how to work with exotic pets in a least stressful way.