Concerned About Local Vets

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Cavy.girl

Cavy.girl

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Okay, I'm having a major problem with finding a vets practice I can trust. Obviously a guinea pig savvy vet is the desired, but it seems the vets I have around me and have experience with lack some serious knowledge of any animal care.

I'm at the top end of North Yorkshire and feel like I've exhausted the vets round here. I've had piggies for a long time and had pigs die because of poor practices. A vet that was recommended by a friend of a friend who has small furries has rung alarm bells.

I've been suspecting that Timmy (5 year old boar) may be diabetic. He's constantly thirsty, tired and has lost a bit of weight. We took him to our current vets and they basically said he looked healthy and that if they were to check his blood they would need to sedate Timmy and inject into his heart! I find this shocking, and surely not right?!

What on earth do I do about a vet who won't kill my guineas? :(
 
Have you had a look on our recommended vets locator?
 
I did - thanks, Helen - but they're all at least an hour away. Ideally I'd find a decent enough one within half an hour because of emergencies and if we're doing regular trips. I can't think how to work this really.
 
Unfortunately the method your vet has described for taking a blood sample is the only way to get a worthwhile sample from a piggy. It is a rather risky process and a lot of vets aren't comfortable performing it because of this but if you do get a good cavy savvy vet its a quick process - Cash had this done at the end of last year without a hitch.

I think your best bet would be to register at one of the vets that are on the locator and an hour away from you but still keep registered at the nearer practices in case you need urgent emergency access to treatment. I do an hour round trip to see my vet because I know shes the best in the area and its worth traveling and paying for the extra miles!
 
Hi Tbag. Ah, the vet you trust did the blood test? I'm sure I've heard people have these tests done from a drip of blood via an overclipped claw? I thought going in through the heart sounded risky.

I think we'll stick with this vet and like you do, go the extra distance for more specialised care. We actually had Max (the black pig in m pic) in to the local vets today. We saw a different vet and she seemed much more on the ball than the previous vet we saw. I find rural vets can be difficult to find who are up on exotics and other interests, and they all mainly do farm animals, equine and your cat and dog.

Thanks for your input though, it's put me at ease somewhat. :)
 
Hi Cavygirl, I'm in North Yorkshire too. I had my piggy neutered last week and took him to Jaqui Patersons in Stockton because they're one of the recommended vets on the forum's vet locator. He was in such good hands there it really was worth the mileage. I'd suggest taking yours there for important procedures etc, but using your local vet for day to day stuff and perhaps emergencies when a recommended practice is just a bit too far. :)
 
Hi Rachel, thanks for the heads up! I hadn't noticed a vet in Stockton on that list, that's helpful! It'll be quicker getting there than York or Harrogate so will look into them. :)
 
Just to clarify the blood sampling. Blood taken from an over clipped nail
Usually doesn't give a big enough sample and it's painful too! Prob much more than the following.

Blood (sometimes but not often collected from the jugular vein ) is usually collected from the caudal vena cava. This is the main blood vessel running to the heart in the upper chest region. Due to it being here we have to give piggies a very quick gas down with anaesthesia, it's quick and they're round very quickly from it. A good exotics vet should be confident with this, but most normal (cat/dog) vets are not.

Good luck on your search for a good vets. It must be difficult depending on location. : (

To add, I am currently doing a research project in piggies and been reading a large amount of clinical history's from vets across the country and I must say I am both shocked and outraged by some of the rubbish veterinary treatments they are receiving from some sometimes. This is not to tarnish all vets the same. There are some amazing ones out there.

X.
 
I use a local general vet locally for routine issues and emergencies, but for anything that needs a specialist, I travel on the train to Northampton, which is about an hour's trip each way for me. The specialist has prolonged the life of several of my piggies that would have otherwise died, so it is well worth the extra effort. My local vets are OK with that, especially once the head vet realised that the specialist issues were generally things he'd rather not be confronted with!
 
Hello fellow yorkshire folk :D @Stewybus on here has lots of experience with Jacqui Pattersons, they are what the local animal college recommened for rabbits too which is why id recommened even though ive never been there too, theres also Wilton House vets in Guisborough who have a very good rep with bunnies so by default I think they'd be fine with piggies but I cant say for sure as I havent had a pig treated there. For other reference there is a rodent specialist at Park Avenue Vets in Redcar, she is particularly good with rats and similar just in case you have any of those :-)
 
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There's lots of good vets about but you find that most are great with cats & dogs & just don't have sufficient experience with guinea pigs. I went to 2 different vets who were ok ish but just seemed to be lacking in piggy knowledge. I was recommended Dominika at Jacqui Paterson's by Gwen at Bunny Burrows who was bringing all her piggies & a lot of bunnies 25 miles rather than goping to much closer vets in Richmond, Darlington & Northallerton & she's been. There are other vets I could recommend further north but if you're at the top end of North Yorkshire then Dominika won't be too far away from you.
 
I forgot to mention the diabetes. I've got diabetes 2 & this was first detected by urine samples showing high sugar levels. I'm certain you could get some sort of indicator if the vet took a urine sample first. I have a couple of friends in York who have guinea pigs & asked what their vets are like for piggies.
 
Back again, I've been told that Katy Capes at Minster Vets, Salisbury Road, York is good with piggies. Best thing to do would be to phone your own vets first and ask if they can do a diabetes test via urine sample. If they say no then maybe try another vet with same question. Another member may have more experience with diabetes.

If you want a vet who is definitely well versed in diabetes & guinea pigs then Deborah Stafford at Gillmoor Vets in Spennymoor knows all about this. I went to the North East Guinea Pig Rescue's 5th anniversary do last June & she gave an excellent talk on the subject. Her details can be found on the vet locator.
 
Your vet should be able to test no problem, human grade ketodiastix are dipped in hamster urine and provide good enough results on something thats 55-300g big depending on species and produces a dribble of urine only :-)
 
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