First vet visit booked - advice and tips?

[Sparklepetal]

My daughter reported unusual findings at morning veggie cuddles - a tiny lump on Trudy's back in the area where she was having an itchy nibble yesterday afternoon. Trudy and Hazelnut have never needed to see a vet yet, but I had a plan ready! Anton Vets in Andover is the nearest forum-recommended practice, so I called them this morning and the receptionist was very friendly and helpful. She took down the piggies' details and advised that we should always bring both to hold each other's paw (as I already know from the forum) so I take that as a good start. She was keen to find me the earliest appointment even though it's not urgent. We're going in tomorrow morning.

Apart from driving to an unfamiliar place (which I absolutely hate) I'm hoping this will be a good first vet experience for piggies and hoomans. I have a vet fund and this practice helpfully publishes costs on their website, so hopefully no nasty surprises there.

What else do I need to prepare from my end to be a good patient?

 

[Betsy]

I always put a snuggle sack in the carrier, some hay and some cucumber for them to have a nibble on. Hopefully it won't be anything sinister. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Wiebke]

My daughter reported unusual findings at morning veggie cuddles - a tiny lump on Trudy's back in the area where she was having an itchy nibble yesterday afternoon. Trudy and Hazelnut have never needed to see a vet yet, but I had a plan ready! Anton Vets in Andover is the nearest forum-recommended practice, so I called them this morning and the receptionist was very friendly and helpful. She took down the piggies' details and advised that we should always bring both to hold each other's paw (as I already know from the forum) so I take that as a good start. She was keen to find me the earliest appointment even though it's not urgent. We're going in tomorrow morning.

Apart from driving to an unfamiliar place (which I absolutely hate) I'm hoping this will be a good first vet experience for piggies and hoomans. I have a vet fund and this practice helpfully publishes costs on their website, so hopefully no nasty surprises there.

What else do I need to prepare from my end to be a good patient?

Hi and welcome

All the best for your visit! I hope that it is just a minor and easily sorted discomfort!

Here are our travelling and vet visit tips:
Tips For Vet Visits
Travelling with guinea pigs

 

[Claire W]

All the best at the vets

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hope it all goes well for the vet visit tomorrow x

 

[Sparklepetal]

Well I managed to find my way there (only got a little bit lost on the way back!) and we survived the terrors of barking dogs and loud toddlers in the waiting room. Main problem was that the vet spoke very fast in a mumble so I wasn't completely sure about everything he said. He seems to think it is an allergic reaction to harvest mites? Has anyone come across that before? He said he could see little orange dots but neither my daughter or I could make them out. Anyway he definitely said clean it with hibiscrub on a cotton bud twice a day and see if that helps and to phone him on Tuesday to report how Trudy is getting on.

 

[Sparklepetal]

Today there is a patch of fur missing in the general area where the lump was, but we can't find the lump itself any more. Trudy's fur is a bit stuck together from the Hibiscrub. Trudy is very cross when we try to get at the area. I guess keep going with the vet's instructions tomorrow and then see what he says on the phone on Tuesday? Has anyone had experience with these harvest mites? I had only heard of mange mites and hay mites in guinea pigs but these are something different. I have googled and it seems to be something seen in dogs and cats.