Frustrated by vet visit

[Alisa3114]

Once a week I do a full check up on the girls and deep clean their cage. This week while I was brushing Aria's fur I noticed something moving on her ear it was tiny and wriggly but when I tried to pick it off I ended up squashing it so didn't get to see exactly what it was. I am totally paranoid about fleas and stuff so threw their vet bed away that I had just removed from their cage and read up on all the info on mites and lice although it didn't look anything like those and I made an appointment with the so called exotics vet to get them checked over. I took them for their visit and never having seen the exotics vet didn't have a clue on which one he/she was. Anyway I totally don't think he was the exotics vet he did the quickest exam ever and I don't think he listened to a word I said. I explained that I had brought them to be checked over as I had seen something on her ear and wanted to make sure it wasn't lice or mites he looked at her ear and said it was fine and I hadn't damaged it which totally confused me then preceded to say why did I get Guinea pigs when we already had a cat and a dog which he was really concerned about as I had kids and hoped that I was using a good flea treatment on them every month cause if I wasn't my kids could become contaminated with fleas. Really! (The cat & dog get regular advantage flea treatment so not a problem). He then called the vet nurse in and asked if they had any preventive flea and lice treatment in stock for the girls to have to which she had to tell him they don't do preventative treatments only treat them when they have a confirmed case. To which he said make sure i treat the cat and dog and the Guinea pigs won't get fleas. I totally think I wasted £66.25 on getting a lecture on flea treatment for our cat and dog than knowing whether the girls have anything I need treating.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Once a week I do a full check up on the girls and deep clean their cage. This week while I was brushing Aria's fur I noticed something moving on her ear it was tiny and wriggly but when I tried to pick it off I ended up squashing it so didn't get to see exactly what it was. I am totally paranoid about fleas and stuff so threw their vet bed away that I had just removed from their cage and read up on all the info on mites and lice although it didn't look anything like those and I made an appointment with the so called exotics vet to get them checked over. I took them for their visit and never having seen the exotics vet didn't have a clue on which one he/she was. Anyway I totally don't think he was the exotics vet he did the quickest exam ever and I don't think he listened to a word I said. I explained that I had brought them to be checked over as I had seen something on her ear and wanted to make sure it wasn't lice or mites he looked at her ear and said it was fine and I hadn't damaged it which totally confused me then preceded to say why did I get Guinea pigs when we already had a cat and a dog which he was really concerned about as I had kids and hoped that I was using a good flea treatment on them every month cause if I wasn't my kids could become contaminated with fleas. Really! (The cat & dog get regular advantage flea treatment so not a problem). He then called the vet nurse in and asked if they had any preventive flea and lice treatment in stock for the girls to have to which she had to tell him they don't do preventative treatments only treat them when they have a confirmed case. To which he said make sure i treat the cat and dog and the Guinea pigs won't get fleas. I totally think I wasted £66.25 on getting a lecture on flea treatment for our cat and dog than knowing whether the girls have anything I need treating.

I am sorry for your bad experience. Unfortunately it's a common misconception that exotics vets can treat guinea pigs. Some exotics vets are excellent piggy vets and some know very little, some general vets on the other hand are excellent piggy vets. Have you tried looking at our vet locator in the top menu for forum member recommendations. Or maybe try our rescue locator and ask your local rescue who they use, that's how I found my current vets.

Luckily there are no species specific fleas for guinea pigs so whilst a flea could jump from a cat or dog on to a piggy briefly, it would not be sustained.

 

[piggieminder]

That's awful. I'd make sure I didn't see that vet again, unfortunately not all exotic vets are guinea pig lovers.

 

[Alisa3114]

I am sorry for your bad experience. Unfortunately it's a common misconception that exotics vets can treat guinea pigs. Some exotics vets are excellent piggy vets and some know very little, some general vets on the other hand are excellent piggy vets. Have you tried looking at our vet locator in the top menu for forum member recommendations. Or maybe try our rescue locator and ask your local rescue who they use, that's how I found my current vets.

Luckily there are no species specific fleas for guinea pigs so whilst a flea could jump from a cat or dog on to a piggy briefly, it would not be sustained.

These vets were on the recommended vets list from the rescue so I don't know if I was just unlucky and saw the wrong vet

 

[Alisa3114]

That's awful. I'd make sure I didn't see that vet again, unfortunately not all exotic vets are guinea pig lovers.

He definitely wasn't a Guinea pig lover he looked Like he didn't even know how to handle Aria and he never even picked Alisa up to check her.

 

[piggieminder]

I've had the same problem with the vets I go to. There are a couple of really good ones there but you can't always get to see them. The nurse I had last time picked one of mine up very badly and didn't support his bottom. This while telling me all about her guinea pigs, I stood there thinking poor piggies feeling too shocked to say anything and wishing after I had.

 

[Betsy]

My vets have always been very good with my piggies until I saw the emergency vet on a Sunday. She clearly didn't have a clue about Piggies and I came away thinking it was a waste of time! At the follow up appointments I made an sure I saw a Piggy savvy vet!

 

[Alisa3114]

I've had the same problem with the vets I go to. There are a couple of really good ones there but you can't always get to see them. The nurse I had last time picked one of mine up very badly and didn't support his bottom. This while telling me all about her guinea pigs, I stood there thinking poor piggies feeling too shocked to say anything and wishing after I had.

They are supposed to be the professionals and know what they are doing, I'm like you I just stayed quiet and when I left wished I had spoken up.

 

[Alisa3114]

My vets have always been very good with my piggies until I saw the emergency vet on a Sunday. She clearly didn't have a clue about Piggies and I came away thinking it was a waste of time! At the follow up appointments I made an sure I saw a Piggy savvy vet!

It has really put me off using them again, but then again they were recommended as being good with Guinea pigs. There are 4 different practices and the vets rotate I think so how are u supposed to know where and when the best vet is supposed to be.

 

[Lady Kelly]

These vets were on the recommended vets list from the rescue so I don't know if I was just unlucky and saw the wrong vet ☹

Oh no that's such a shame. Perhaps the vet that another member saw has since left

 

[Alisa3114]

Oh no that's such a shame. Perhaps the vet that another member saw has since left

Might be

 

[artcasper]

oh no.. I think all of us at some point in time has had a bad experience with a vet - i have had a few in the early years. I was ripped off big time the first time i visited with a case of ringworm - it was clear that was what it was but I wasn't very knowledgable and they charged me for tests that were not required - never went back there.

Have since had good and bad experiences in the very few times I have had to see a vet - the last time was from one who was highly recommended on here.

Good luck and i hope your piggies are ok - i found a little bug in their cage today but i killed it before knowing what it was so I just assumed it was a spider/bug but it wasn't on my actual pig...

 

[Bill & Ted]

so Sorry you had this awful experience even from the recommended vets list. The trouble with any database or recommended list no matter what it is, is it’s always based on that present experience, vets come and go from practices. there are also many vets, or rescues etc that are not on the list that may be excellent that are not on the list. unless they are updated regularly they are generally very hit and miss like any list of products/services etc

 

[VickiA]

I’d report your experience back to the rescue & ask which of the vets they rate. Then I’d book future appointments with one of those. I’m so lucky that all the vets at my practice are good with piggies but not everyone is so fortunate.

 

[Deleted member 131797]

Did the price include any kind of medication? I normally get charged around £25-£30 for the visit alone and I live in London! Meds are expensive so that would explain it but I think £65 for visit alone is very strange

 

[Alisa3114]

I’d report your experience back to the rescue & ask which of the vets they rate. Then I’d book future appointments with one of those. I’m so lucky that all the vets at my practice are good with piggies but not everyone is so fortunate.

I have the address of the vets the rescue uses which is about 30 miles away this one was only 2 miles from my house and recommended so that's why I went with them. But in future if they need to go to the visits I will take them to the one the rescue uses.

 

[Alisa3114]

Did the price include any kind of medication? I normally get charged around £25-£30 for the visit alone and I live in London! Meds are expensive so that would explain it but I think £65 for visit alone is very strange

No meds included. I only had the one appointment booked but they charged me £33.12 for each piggie.

 

[Alisa3114]

oh no.. I think all of us at some point in time has had a bad experience with a vet - i have had a few in the early years. I was ripped off big time the first time i visited with a case of ringworm - it was clear that was what it was but I wasn't very knowledgable and they charged me for tests that were not required - never went back there.

Have since had good and bad experiences in the very few times I have had to see a vet - the last time was from one who was highly recommended on here.

Good luck and i hope your piggies are ok - i found a little bug in their cage today but i killed it before knowing what it was so I just assumed it was a spider/bug but it wasn't on my actual pig...

I haven't been extra vigilant when cleaning their cage and double checking their fur and haven't found anything else so keeping fingers crossed it was just a one off. Aria does love to run head first in the hay pile.

 

[piggieminder]

It's £50 a visit at my vets (exotics) with no meds, it would be £100 for two piggies.
@Alisa3114 it does sound like yours picked up a grub from the veg or the hay.

 

[Alisa3114]

It's £50 a visit at my vets (exotics) with no meds, it would be £100 for two piggies.
@Alisa3114 it does sound like yours picked up a grub from the veg or the hay.

Yep I'm thinking it was one expensive grub lol I probably should have waited a few days and seen if anymore appeared but this was the first problem I had come across with them and I think I over reacted.
It's extortionate that they charge per piggie for a less than 10 min appointment you would think they would have some sort of discount rate for one appointment. I could understand if they had to book out two appointments but we didn't even use the allotted appointment time we were out the door so quick.

 

[Alisa3114]

I haven't been extra vigilant when cleaning their cage and double checking their fur and haven't found anything else so keeping fingers crossed it was just a one off. Aria does love to run head first in the hay pile.

Have not haven't duh

 

[Claire W]

I’m sorry that you’ve had a bad experience I’m lucky that although my vet is a general vet, she’s knowledgable with piggies and will ask advise from an exotics vet if she needs too. She’s been seeing piggies of mine for nearly 10 years now and I would only see someone else in an emergency situation.

It winds me up when people claim to know about piggies when they know nothing He also has no right to give you a lecture about your cat and dog!

 

[GPTV]

He definitely wasn't a Guinea pig lover he looked Like he didn't even know how to handle Aria and he never even picked Alisa up to check her.

No meds included. I only had the one appointment booked but they charged me £33.12 for each piggie.

Crumbs that's awful, could you try negotiating with the vets - that you had one appointment, one examination & the other Guinea Alisa was only the paw holder?

I'm afraid I would have thrown dolly out of the pram for that kind of irrelevant, patronising 'advice' & having the cheek to charge double for it too! :

Could you try ringing the vets & ask if you could have the bill clarified as it appears you've been charged twice for one Guinea examination.
Or did you book them as both seeing the vet? I'd still mention that one wasn't even picked up & examined though.

Also ask what the vets name was if it's not documented on your invoice, etc... Just so you know not to ask for him in the future, or to request a different one if possible!

My vets are usually very good & if you ask for a particular vet, they'll book you with that one if they're on duty. If they're working at a different practice they'll ask if you want to travel there or stay at the same place with a different vet.

These piggies are sent to worry us!
Xx

 

[Alisa3114]

I’m sorry that you’ve had a bad experience I’m lucky that although my vet is a general vet, she’s knowledgable with piggies and will ask advise from an exotics vet if she needs too. She’s been seeing piggies of mine for nearly 10 years now and I would only see someone else in an emergency situation.

It winds me up when people claim to know about piggies when they know nothing He also has no right to give you a lecture about your cat and dog!

I think I just looked at him a bit dumb when he started going on about how my kids could get contaminated with fleas if I didn't flea them every month. Perhaps he thought as I no longer bought the flea stuff on prescription from them that I no was longer fleaing them every month but I still don't see what that had to do with the Guinea pigs as surely he would know that they wouldn't catch fleas from the cat or dog if they did have them.

 

[Alisa3114]

Crumbs that's awful, could you try negotiating with the vets - that you had one appointment, one examination & the other Guinea Alisa was only the paw holder?

I'm afraid I would have thrown dolly out of the pram for that kind of irrelevant, patronising 'advice' & having the cheek to charge double for it too! :

Could you try ringing the vets & ask if you could have the bill clarified as it appears you've been charged twice for one Guinea examination.
Or did you book them as both seeing the vet? I'd still mention that one wasn't even picked up & examined though.

Also ask what the vets name was if it's not documented on your invoice, etc... Just so you know not to ask for him in the future, or to request a different one if possible!

My vets are usually very good & if you ask for a particular vet, they'll book you with that one if they're on duty. If they're working at a different practice they'll ask if you want to travel there or stay at the same place with a different vet.

These piggies are sent to worry us!
Xx

I think he registered Alisa so that's why I got charged for her also even though the appointment was for Aria. I don't think they would do anything now as I paid before I left. There's 4 more local vets I can try if I need to and I also have the back up of the vet the rescue uses that is supposed to be excellent so won't mind travelling to them if I need to.

 

[GPTV]

I think he registered Alisa so that's why I got charged for her also even though the appointment was for Aria. I don't think they would do anything now as I paid before I left. There's 4 more local vets I can try if I need to and I also have the back up of the vet the rescue uses that is supposed to be excellent so won't mind travelling to them if I need to.

Think I'd still question the bill, just say you want to clarify it, if they question it, say as you're unsure why they charged for two, when only one was picked up & examined.
Maybe explain you were unaware it would cost £33 for registration of Alisa... Especially as you hadn't booked her in for the appointment.

I collected my dogs tablets from the vets a few days ago, going home I was trying to calculate my bill, I rang up when I got home to query it & they realised they'd charged me two dispensing fees instead of one, as well as a price increase. They reimbursed the dispensing fee with credit on my account

Xx

 

[Alisa3114]

Think I'd still question the bill, just say you want to clarify it, if they question it, say as you're unsure why they charged for two, when only one was picked up & examined.
Maybe explain you were unaware it would cost £33 for registration of Alisa... Especially as you hadn't booked her in for the appointment.

I collected my dogs tablets from the vets a few days ago, going home I was trying to calculate my bill, I rang up when I got home to query it & they realised they'd charged me two dispensing fees instead of one, as well as a price increase. They reimbursed the dispensing fee with credit on my account

Xx

That was lucky you double checked

 

[Claire W]

I think I just looked at him a bit dumb when he started going on about how my kids could get contaminated with fleas if I didn't flea them every month. Perhaps he thought as I no longer bought the flea stuff on prescription from them that I no was longer fleaing them every month but I still don't see what that had to do with the Guinea pigs as surely he would know that they wouldn't catch fleas from the cat or dog if they did have them.

I have 3 cats who get flead once s month but I’ve never been worried about my piggies as they can’t get fleas

 

[Alisa3114]

I have 3 cats who get flead once s month but I’ve never been worried about my piggies as they can’t get fleas

I really don't think he had a clue.

 

[Claire W]

I really don't think he had a clue.

I don’t understand how some vets even qualify!