Annual Health Check

[AbiS]

I was just wondering what people's opinions are on taking piggies to the vet for an annual health check even if they seem perfectly healthy?

 

[Squeaky_Ewok]

I think it's a good idea, just for peace of mind but not too often. It might stress them out I'm insuring my pig soon , I worry too much so it's best for me to get him insured if all goes well touch wood haha

 

[bubble&squeak4ever]

I think it's a great idea!

 

[Superpiggies]

I think it's a great idea too - BUT i get REALLY nervous if something's wrong!@) When we went to the vet with Woody and his blue eye, and the vet said he had cataract - I was ALMOST about to faint. my piggies get quite scared and stressed but sometimes, it's like they are playing and teasing the vet! Eg. When Oskar was running laps around the table and not letting the vet take him! And Woody, PEEING ALL OVER the desk whilst the vet was holding him (He was like a waterfall) And when Oskar started pop-corning around and squeaky his head off... sometimes i don't know what's happening in their brains!

 

[Goth Mummy]

No, I dont with piggies, but I woudl if I had one with a chronic/ongoing illness.

My horse has a check up at least every 6 months (in practice its more frequent than that, he has a malignant tumour so hes seeing the vet a lot) and the dog has 3 monthly check up, the rabbit goes every year for her vaccinations.

 

[helen105281]

I think it's definitely worth going at least once a year if not more, as the vet is likely to spot things the average owner won't. I am lucky in that I have a piggy clinic not too far away that I take my pigs too and they get a good check over at least every few months on rotation.

 

[Amanda1801]

I do - mine go twice a year. If you think about it, 12 months to them is more like 8-10+ years to us. Two of mine had a health check today (the other three are boarding at a vet surgery while I'm on holiday so will get theirs during the week) - the vet listened to their heart and lungs, checked their ears, eyes, mouth and teeth. They had their abdomens palpated incase of any nasties lurking in there (tumours, in the case of my female, ovarian cysts for example) and of course had their weights recorded.

I would say that if you want to get the best peace of mind out of an annual health check, it should be carried out by a cavy savvy vet, so that they know what's normal and what's not!

 

[Stewybus]

I take mine twice a year. I think it's better to catch something early rather than wait till it develops & is maybe too late to treat. As a guinea pig year is equivalent to approx 10 of a human then it's like going for a check-up every 5 years for us. Luckily my vet is very good & will check them all for one consultation fee of £13.50 so it's a no brainer to have them checked regularly.

 

[BossHogg]

All 5 of mine (rabbits and piggies) go to the vet twice a year, they get their nails clipped, get weighed and the vet checks their teeth and general well being. I have to keep on top of Mary as she soils herself and has to get bathed once a week. She gets a pet wipe over her lady bits once a day to keep her clean.

 

[Goth Mummy]

Oh I feel bad now! But I do weigh and clip nails myself, and I do a general health check each week on each piggy.

 

[AbiS]

Thanks all. The boys turn 1 in march so I think I will take them as a birthday treat and then go 6 monthly after that. I have registered with a vet already as Barney had to have a wound checked but am going to take them to a different one that has been listed on the forum's vet locator.

 

[TAN]

Don't quote me,but it seems to ring a distant bell that if you have your piggies insured they must be health checked by the vet once a year (will go and huck out my policy later and have a look ) - could possibly invalidate an insurance payout otherwise (if it is there in the small print )