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How Far Would You Travel To A Good Vet?

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Cavy_lover

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Two questions.
1) How is it decided which vets are on the recommended list on here?

2) How long would you travel for a good Vet?

I ask number 2 because of a rabbit we lost during an op, when she had severely broken her leg. I knew there was a top rabbit Vet 45-55mins away but at the time felt this was too far for poppy to travel, so took her to a much closer vet (i'd had her registered with both anyway). I have always questioned that decision. I can't help but think maybe poppy would have survived if I'd taken her to the top rabbit vet, even though it was a further away one.

I want to make sure I make the right decision for my new (not yet got) guinea pigs.
 
I think they are vets submitted to admin by members after they have had a good experience at the practice or with a particular vet. Some vets though like Simon Maddock etc are well known already. We have recently been travelling a couple of hours to see a good vet because one of our pigs has an issue that he specializes in, but for more basic stuff I use my local vet.
 
I would go as far as it took for my remaining boar-kid! When we lost Simmy last month though, we'd had to travel a lot with him to see the vet and then for surgery. I can't help but worry that all that travelling didn't help :( So I guess its trying to find a happy medium!
 
I'd travel as far as it took :) I have been to see Simon at the Cat & Rabbit clinic, he is a fabulous vet for piggies & buns & I would definitely take mine there if they had any dental issues :) Luckily I have a fab vet nearby now though. If you haven't got your piggies yet please consider insurance; one of mine is a bladder piggy who is now worth £3,000 plus in vet bills & she isn't insured as I had no idea what expensive pets piggies are if you will do anything to keep them alive :)
 
I travel 45 minutes to my vet, as I know they get the best possible care. Which also gives them the best chance of recovery.
 
our usual journey takes 40mins each way, sometimes a bit longer at certain times, and we have to rely on taxi's, but i feel it's more than worth it for getting them the very best care possible :)

eta: highly recommend insurance aswell :)
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I'd If you haven't got your piggies yet please consider insurance; one of mine is a bladder piggy who is now worth £3,000 plus in vet bills & she isn't insured as I had no idea what expensive pets piggies are if you will do anything to keep them alive :)
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I didn't know guinea pigs could be insured! I only knew about large animals, dogs, cats and rabbits. I'm off to Google now
 
We took Astro to Simons on Monday, took 2 1/2 hours for the 65 mile journey for his dental but its worth it. But then I combine it with a visit to TEAS and claim it back as business mileage.
 
Thanks all.
Sorry got all excited there about guinea pig insurance - I really didn't know it existed. Its actually not a bad price either. I always find it strange though that guinea pigs are referred to as exotic pets - exotic pet makes me think lizards, snakes, tarantulas, and the like.

So it looks like consensus is travel to a good guinea vet rather than local vet.

<3 Simon'n'Joe said:
I can't help but worry that all that travelling didn't help :( So I guess its trying to find a happy medium!
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See the possibility of the long journey making it harder on her was what I was worried about; but then I can't help thinking if I had maybe she'd have survived. Its a horrible decision to have to make. I think we've both got that awful "what if" feeling. I'm so sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathy
 
I take mind to my local vet for routine stuff but if I ever wanted a second opinion or my vet wasn't confident about treating more complex issues or surgery then I would travel further afield.
 
Cavy_lover said:
Thanks all.
Sorry got all excited there about guinea pig insurance - I really didn't know it existed. Its actually not a bad price either. I always find it strange though that guinea pigs are referred to as exotic pets - exotic pet makes me think lizards, snakes, tarantulas, and the like.

So it looks like consensus is travel to a good guinea vet rather than local vet.



See the possibility of the long journey making it harder on her was what I was worried about; but then I can't help thinking if I had maybe she'd have survived. Its a horrible decision to have to make. I think we've both got that awful "what if" feeling. I'm so sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathy
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Thank you very much <3 I agree about the 'what if' feeling... I just feel SO guilty that we didn't wait, didn't take him for another opinion. Maybe another time, another place, then things would have gone differently. But hey, hindsight is great isn't it X3 It's just one of these decisions which depends on fate in the end :( At least you know that you did what you thought was best for your bunny at the time! It's all you can do for them :) I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved bun-bun <3
 
Cavy_lover said:
Thanks all.
Sorry got all excited there about guinea pig insurance - I really didn't know it existed. Its actually not a bad price either. I always find it strange though that guinea pigs are referred to as exotic pets - exotic pet makes me think lizards, snakes, tarantulas, and the like.

So it looks like consensus is travel to a good guinea vet rather than local vet.



See the possibility of the long journey making it harder on her was what I was worried about; but then I can't help thinking if I had maybe she'd have survived. Its a horrible decision to have to make. I think we've both got that awful "what if" feeling. I'm so sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathy
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if it's possible then i'd always recommend this. i feel like they'd spot a potential problem more quickly aswell as getting the piggy on the correct course of treatment more quickly, which can sometimes make all the difference :)
 
I travel about 40 minutes to our vet (on a good day, without traffic.) Finding a vet with guinea pigs experience is difficult where I live (in Ontario.) I love my vet and trust his judgment and expertise when it comes to rodents and small animals. Prior to changing to this practice I lost a pig with a different vet and found out after the fact that she received really substandard care and that, much as the vet said he treated guinea pigs, he really had no clue what he was doing. It really bothers me that, had I known what to look for in a vet at the time, she might have been saved. So I'm very willing to drive to a vet that I know is experienced and is going to give my pets quality care.
 
About 10 minutes...but then I am only 3.5 miles away from Simon and Kim Maddock at Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic! :lol!:

However, I've always said that I would travel the length and breadth of the country to find the best vet for my pigs, particularly for more complex issues. We really are so lucky to have Simon and Kim so close by and also access to transport. :)
 
Am off to my specialist vet in the morning with Bumble and his wives- I will leave Swindon at 7am to drop to the vets after 8am - then drive back 20 miles to work - then after work drive back for my evening appointment with my specialist (who is now part time since having a baby) - my insurance claim this year is nearly up to £2000 again ( was £2000 2 years ago as well ) - if Bumble needs a CT scan that will be another £500 - £600 pounds - and the insurance only pay 50% of the cost of the scan -:rant: Insurance is the way to go!
 
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