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Hello..i have a problem can somebody help me please!

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alexandra_moncton

My guinea pig keep on sneezing... like not a lot...but let's say maximum 4 times....and so i have no idea what's going on with him. I got him out of the cage and i let him free around the house and he seemed happy to me.....:) but he kept sneezing....in the cage the same thing he sneezes..8...can somebody tell me what's going on...cuz :0 i dun't know what to do...and yeah!


Thank you
~@lly~
 
Welcome to the forum Ally. When you say maximum 4 times, do you mean 4 times in a row, or up to four times a day?
 
Avoid vets. Sounds like "hay-fever" or does he have a piece of hay stuck in his nose?
Watch and wait for a while, don't panic.
 
I would check that he doesn't have a crusty, snotty nose as that could be a sign of infection.

Also that he isn't breathing differently i.e. laboured/struggling.

Is he eating and drinking ok?
 
It's best not to say "avoid vets"...a veterinary surgeon and the owner are the only people legally allowed to treat animals, and there are laws governing that if an animal is in need of medical attention, you must allow them it. You cannot deny the animal the medical attention if a vet is the only option. If there is a local rodentologist available, then it's advised to go to them, but not everyone is able to travel and seek the specialist care for their pigs. Sometimes, working with a semi-decent vet is the only thing you can do.

There are some very bad vets out there, and yes you'd be better off avoiding them altogether - but if your only vet is a bad one, then surely it is better to advise the owner of what to ask for, what not to allow to happen, encourage the owner to protect the pigs by working with the vet, rather than suggesting going straight against what may be their only source of medical support? Not every vet is bad - Vedra works with vets and she has trained vets to become rodentologists also. Alastair and Amir are two that come to mind who she very highly recommends, and she will advise of suitable vets that she knows of.

It's more a case of "find the best you can". Find a rodentologist; if not then find the highest recommended vet you can get to, and if necessary take along the information you need to back up what you think or know.
 
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Excellent advice CCC4 !

Sometimes it can be a case of 'making the best of what we have'. :)

Teresa x
 
Vets and owners are NOT the only people legally allowed to treat sick animals. Please check the RCVS site for the relevant information.
Far better to find a competent vet [*]before[/*] your animal becomes ill.
Are rodentologists legally allowed to treat rodents?
 
I see this thread is now on page 2.
Wonder if anyone can answer my question?
 
ooops, sorry dint mean to thank, was reading with interest though. can i remove my thanks r not? just wondered really x
 
Hey Ally, could be an allegy. My Pudsey was always sneezing when we got him but it was because he was on woodshavings in the petshop although he was taken off them I guess the smell of them was in the air.

I wouldn't say avoid vets either. Some are very good, and of course we do our own research and the vet is there for back up and support. I actually have 2. My local one for minor things who don't really deal with guineas but are fab with dogs and they do listen to everything I have to say when treating guineas, they are up for learning. And another one in Widnes which was reccommended to me by 2 forum members and they are fantastic.

Of course we all have different opinion but avoiding vets to me is cutting your nose off to spite your face. I'd be lost without that added support. :)
 
Qualified vets are the only people who are legally allowed to treat other peoples animals.Owners are allowed to treat their own animals for minor problems.

If a gp is sick it should be taken to a qualified vet."Rodentologists" are o0nly allowed to trim the teeth,cut the nails,or treat for mites.They are not qualified to diagnose,or prescribe medication.
Maryh
 
My vets are fantastic. I trust them 110%, although alot of the time I have made my own diagnosis before I go! But if I need antibiotics or a scan or operation, I know that they will be great.

In my opinion, if you find a good vet, stick with them. Obviously, avoid the bad ones!
 
I think its very irresponsible to tell someone to 'avoid vets'. I have a fantastic vet, and wouldn't consider taking my animals to anyone else.

I truly believe more and more vets are becoming experienced in the treatment and care of rodents, especially as more owners are now seeking treatment for their little furries. Sadly years ago I don't think many people did get treatment for small animals and therefore most vets very rarely got the chance to treat them.

My vet specialises in cats, rabbits and guinea pigs and has an extensive knowledge.
 
Delia. May I refer you to the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, Section 19, Sub-section 1i ?
This lays down who, other than registered vets, may under certain circumstances treat animals, which may or may not belong to them. It's quite a long list.
How can rodentologists treat other people's pigs legally? Who has stated what they may or may not do?
 
alcesterpigs said:
Delia. May I refer you to the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, Section 19, Sub-section 1i ?
This lays down who, other than registered vets, may under certain circumstances treat animals, which may or may not belong to them. It's quite a long list.
How can rodentologists treat other people's pigs legally? Who has stated what they may or may not do?
Click to expand...

Hmm...


19 Restriction of practice of veterinary surgery by unqualified persons


(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, no individual shall practise, or hold

himself out as practising or as being prepared to practise, veterinary surgery unless he is
registered in the register of veterinary surgeons or the supplementary veterinary register, and an
individual who acts in contravention of this subsection shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [the prescribed sum]​
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine.​
​
​
​
Click to expand...


I would never, ever recommend a person "avoid a vet". Under the Animal Welfare Act it is now against the law to fail to seek veterinary (and a rodentologist is NOT a veterinary professional) advice for a sick animal.

It is unfortunate that not all vets are versed in rodent husbandry and medicine. However there ARE many cavy-savvy vets out there and I'm sure people on here would be willing to advise should people be struggling to find one.


​
 
Daftscotslass
If you read my post again, carefully, and then go to the section of the 1966 Act, which I quoted you will see the exceptions to the section you posted.
Peter Gurney was once threatened with prosecution by the RCVS, they soon backed off when he said he would expose the lack of knowledge by many professionals of exotic animals, together with examples of mis-diagnosis and mis-treatment.
Vets who know what they know are good.
Vets who know what they don't know, and refer owners to someone who does are good.
Vets who don't know what they don't know but persist in treating guinea pigs are to be avoided.
May I hasten to add that the above can apply to any job or profession.
Finally, I will either take a pig to a vet when I am faced with a problem I cannot treat
or else to the CCT.
 
There is no one at CCT who is qualified to treat any animal,and this applies to "rodentologists" because they have no vetinary training either.
Vedra has been taken to court twice already.
 
Has anyone read the vet act 1966? It makes interesting reading, especially Section 19.
 
Where have you been, long time no see on the forum?
I was just revisiting old threads. Maybe it is time to drop this thread, it seems to rattle too many cages!
Neverthele, it is interesting to see who can treat animals!
 
alcesterpigs said:
Where have you been, long time no see on the forum?
I was just revisiting old threads. Maybe it is time to drop this thread, it seems to rattle too many cages!
Neverthele, it is interesting to see who can treat animals!
Click to expand...

where has who been? do you mean me? i've been around, just been busy with work, wedding planning and trying to move! but i'm on when i can be, but often end up reading threads and not contributing! i will try to post more. did you miss me?!
 
Yes. Your "name" is interesting, is it meant to be grrl or is that a misprint for girl, or is the whole name something from a science fiction film!!?
I posted earlier this afternoon without realising the thread was so old, then the 5 minutes was up and I couldn't edit or delete!
 
alcesterpigs said:
Yes. Your "name" is interesting, is it meant to be grrl or is that a misprint for girl, or is the whole name something from a science fiction film!!?
I posted earlier this afternoon without realising the thread was so old, then the 5 minutes was up and I couldn't edit or delete!
Click to expand...

it's not sci-fi! the star is because i love stars, grrl is a punked up version of girl and Claire is my name!
 
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