Asking Vets Questions Before Registering..

[Eriathwen]

So, I'm 'in the market' for a new vet. I've had a browse through the vet locator on the forum and found one very close, there's also a couple in the same sort of distance so I sent some messages via facebook (so as not to take up time away from important phonecalls, emails etc they would be making, plus I'm rubbish over the phone)
The one from the vet locator sounds fantastic, they chatted to me for a bit, took my address and sent me more information in the post which was very helpful. I've got additional questions but..is this normal? Or am I being weird. I want to make sure I find the right vet before committing to them but I dont want to get on their nerves before I even walk through the door. The lady I spoke to asked a couple of times if my piggies needed to see a vet now, she could make me an appointment etc. which made me think asking questions wasnt 'normal'...

I just want to make sure my special hairy people are being seen by the best people I can find

 

[VickiA]

To be honest most folk don’t ask questions at all, unless they are owners of exotics. The only way I know of to satisfy myself is to meet the vet in a consultation. Make sure you ask them to get any previous history from your last vets.

 

[Swissgreys]

I tend to agree with VickiA here - I always do a bit of background research, and then feel it is something you can only really judge once you have a consultation.
I do try to take along at least one 'exotic' for a more generic appointment (something basic like a health check) so I can meet the vet and quiz them in person.
This gives me a feel for how experienced they are and if I feel they are going to be a good fit for us.

 

[Eriathwen]

Thanks both! Now to decide who to take..probably Leonard, he's pretty chilled out. Might get them to clean his penis while I'm at it..save me a job!
To be honest as long as they dont hold them one handed by the shoulders like poor Shelly had to endure last time and allow me some input to refuse baytril and the rubbish steroid cream they keep wanting to use on Brambles ears i'll be happy.
It concerns me that handling Bramble like that will result in them dropping her given how much she thrashes.
I'll make sure to ask them to get their histories, thanks for that, I didnt think of it! Will save me having to explain all Brambles problems and what she was given.

 

[VickiA]

Good luck x
Always nerve wracking but you’ll know when you meet them if they are the vet for you.

 

[Reenie]

Definitely worth asking questions first. I've only had to have one vet visit for my guys, and fortunately it was more a check than anything. However, the vet told me during the consultation that you can't even hazard a guess at the age of guinea pigs, as they're fully grown at 6 months....hmm. I'll be asking for a different vet the next time.

 

[sport_billy]

Always worth asking questions. When I found Rosie (when our first piggy had dental problems) she spoke to me over the phone for a while about her dental experience and put me at my ease as we'd had a few bad experiences.

Good luck!