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just don't know what to do for the best

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It is totally unreasonable to expect any vet to know everything about every type of animal. I would imagine that some vets don't even like some species.
I have no problem at all with that.
However, as I have posted before there is no shame in saying "I don't know how to treat your guinea pig".
If a member of a healthcare profession carried out a treatment or procedure for which they were neither trained nor competent there would soon be a public outcry.
The impression I get from the RCVS is that they couldn't care less, their attitude is that it is down to the professional/clinical judgement of the vet concerned.
I find this unacceptable.
If anyone knows how to resolve this issue please let us know.
 
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I have had several pigs here who are only still here because of Vedra - the late, great Captain Jack sadly passed away recently, but had an extra year of life after she recommended his large lump be removed (my vets only offer put to sleep as an option for him!).

If a pig here is unwell and I think Baytril will do the trick, I take them to my normal vet as they are closer - CCT is 90 mins drive. But anything other than that, I take to CCT and wouldn't hesitate to recommend others to do so. In Captain Jack's case, Vedra saw him and thought it was operable, and he was sent to the vets that she works with to do the op.

She also nursed Sirius Black back to health when again, my vets said he should be put to sleep. He lived for another year before succumbing to kidney failure, we think.

Sophie
x
 
I can appreciate what PaulaG feels. The same thing has happened to me from "both sides".
I have had fit, healthy pigs staying here whilst their owners have been on holiday, no problem with that, except when there is a sudden unexpected death. What can you say to the owner? More to the point what does the owner think?

I have had pigs down at the CCT with minor problems and have gone down to pick them up only to be told " so and so died 20 minutes ago".
What can you say? I totally trust Vedra, any pig she takes care of receives treatment that is second to none.
Even so, I still ask myself "What if....?" However illogical, there is always that thought "if only I had kept the pig at home this wouldn't have happened"
Each time I wonder "what if" it is though it were the first time. There is always the temptation to find a reason to blame either yourself or somebody else.
This is the downside to keeping animals.
I wonder how other people deal with this problem?
 
I know how the feeling AP, you just have to do what you think is right by your beloved pets.
I feel I now have the best for my pigs:
My first point of call being my rodentologist - half an hour down the road, the forum the get opinions, advice, other peoples experiences can help so much,
the vets which is now 20 minutes away for medication, x-ray, diagnosis,
and of course Vedra's if I feel I need a more specialist opinion for my precious girls :)
As long as we do the best by our pets and get them the treatment they need, the rest is out of our hands sadly.
My dad was having a gentle whinge at me yesterday after coming round to rescue me from the dreaded rat in the loft :...
He said that I should re-think having my piggies in the house and my house rabbit too :( I just can't imagine not having them close by me, they are part of my family and such little characters :)
He also said, when they go maybe don't get anymore cos you always get so upset, but then you get more rolleyes
I know I will always adopt more piggies, can't imagine not ever having any. Every time a piggy sadly passes it means I can give a home to another precious needy pig :) It's like humans I suppose, sometimes no matter what we do to remain healthy our path is set out in life I am sure :)
 
alcesterpigs said:
It is totally unreasonable to expect any vet to know everything about every type of animal. I would imagine that some vets don't even like some species.
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Yes. Good point. The local vet I currently take my rabbits to (not the one who said rabbits and guinea-pigs can make good companions), have put on their website that they're like the GPs of the vet world; your first point of call to then be referred to a specialist. I think I'll stick with them for now until/unless I find someone else better nearby, as I know one of the vets there does keep rabbits herself.

BTW does anybody know if there's a rabbit equivalent of the CCT or rodentology courses?
 
I don't know about a rabbit equivalent, I suppose you have tried the rabbit forum?
 
she seems to be very well thank you :) she has a huge appetite and has gained weight steadily, her bumblefoot is no longer sore to look at, it is dry and no more scabs, it has reduced in inflammation. She had alot of baths bless her on a weekly basis with the flea or die. She absolutely loves her oxbow hay. she has lots more energy and no more obvious signs of ill health, we are over the moon :)
 
Good to hear Poppy is doing well! Is the Vitapet RA helping her legs as well? How's Peggy - did the HCG injections make any difference to her?

The teddies are all ready to go, just relying on my mum to pop them to the post office, hopefully they'll be on their way tomorrow. :)
 
tattyruncy said:
she seems to be very well thank you :) she has a huge appetite and has gained weight steadily, her bumblefoot is no longer sore to look at, it is dry and no more scabs, it has reduced in inflammation. She had alot of baths bless her on a weekly basis with the flea or die. She absolutely loves her oxbow hay. she has lots more energy and no more obvious signs of ill health, we are over the moon :)
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That's wonderful news! :)) I'm so pleased for you - you must be very relieved.
 
Laura-CCC4 said:
Good to hear Poppy is doing well! Is the Vitapet RA helping her legs as well? How's Peggy - did the HCG injections make any difference to her?

The teddies are all ready to go, just relying on my mum to pop them to the post office, hopefully they'll be on their way tomorrow. :)
Click to expand...

Poppy just has 0.1ml of the vitapet twice a week now as advised by Vedra. She does seem more able to get cosy when she lays down without struggling. She still seems stiff sometimes when getting up and still bunny hops on ocassions, but in general I think she has improved. She seems to love sitting in her blankets rather than on the vetbed which I think she likes the softness of :) Peggy is 100% better for the hormone injections, which is fab, cos she used to climb on Poppy on a daily basis, she's like a different pig, although she follows Poppy everywhere and never leaves her side. I took this this morning of the two of them in their blanket :)

DSC05421.jpg
x) x)
 
Gorgeous photo, they're absolutely beautiful girls. I'm so glad they are both doing so much better.
 
Question to Furries

Really pleased Poppy doing so well now. Can I borrow this thread to ask Furries a question please?

Furries, a bit further back in the thread you mentioned a vet not too far from you who has trained as a rodentologist. Any chance you could let me know details as I live in North Derbyshire and may be not too far away?

Thanks.
 
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