Just got back from my first vet appt for Shotzie

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lindsecm

lindsecm

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First of all had to drive 45 minutes just to take him somewhere that was qualified to neuter guinea pigs in the area. And the car ride went smoothly both ways! He was such a trooper :(|)

They were extremely nice and knowledgeable, and fell in love with him :)) (he is such a cutie!). They spent probably a good 30 minutes going over proper care for a guinea pig, and were impressed that I was like 20 steps ahead of them (mostly thanks to you all!) x>>

So in a month they are going to see little Shotzie again and do blood work and then make an appointment for his surgery. And he is in perfect health!

They sold Cavy Cuisine so I got a bag of that for the herd, which I had been looking for an alternative to their food already.

I just want to thank everyone on the board for welcoming me, and all of the help and support!
 
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That's great news Peter (Petcook) told me you were taking him today. He's my other half lol

Hope the neuter goes well! x
 
Thanks! We just have to wait for his testicles to drop. :))

The vet has guinea pigs herself so, that makes me even more comfortable.
 
Sounds like you have got a really good place! Eldorado...

All the best for Shotzie and keep us posted so we can hold your hand during the op!
 
Thanks. I will definitely keep you posted. ;) Operation day is going to be difficult, just because of the risk.

Their website is very good and I had looked at it before making the appointment because Guinea Lynx had recommended them in my area. I got the sense of caring from the site and I was not disappointed when we got there! :)

http://www.pennyroyalvet.com/pages/viewPage.php?id=31

Dr. Lacki is the one we saw today.

I mentioned that I learned a lot from you guys and they wrote down the forum's website and they said they may be checking it out later :))
 
good to know you rhappy with the vets and they know there stuff but why do they need to do blood work? you shouldnt have to for a simple thing like neuturing
 
hu a base line for future visits?! in theory there is no need to take blood from a guinea pig and if it were me I would say no unless they were despratly trying to diagnose something and all other options had been well and truly exhausted. Dont know what anyone els thinks? may be worth mentioning in the health and illness section as Id be vert waery about this
 
Ok. I'll post something about it there ;)

I would rather them not, actually just because it is that much more of a cost, and especially if it is not necessary.
 
it just seems daft tto do something that doesnt seeminly need doing and I would think that it would be quite invasive on the pigs viens giving the size of neadles? but will be interesting to see what other medical knolagable people think
 
I have only just read this thread. My first reaction was money, before I even realised you are in the USA. Baseline, what baseline?
I would decline the offer.
 
Base line to compare if he gets sick later, just to know what is normal and not. It's usually a standard procedure here to humans, I had it done on me. Theoretically, it seems like a good idea, but in all honesty I am not planning on taking him for silly blood work, that can also cost major $$$.

Could they refuse to neuter him if I refuse to get the blood work done? :{
 
lindsecm said:
Thanks! We just have to wait for his testicles to drop. :))

The vet has guinea pigs herself so, that makes me even more comfortable.
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lol, I think Louise is hoping the same will happen to me lol
 
Kirstycc said:
hu a base line for future visits?! in theory there is no need to take blood from a guinea pig and if it were me I would say no unless they were despratly trying to diagnose something and all other options had been well and truly exhausted. Dont know what anyone els thinks? may be worth mentioning in the health and illness section as Id be vert waery about this
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I would suggest that you let the vets do their work, after all they seem to have the qualifications which I would say virtually none of us have!
 
PetCook said:
I would suggest that you let the vets do their work, after all they seem to have the qualifications which I would say virtually none of us have!
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but when vets are going to do somthing that is totallu unesasary and can caus emore harm than good then its time to question their motives, its not really a question of been qualified but of common sense as the pig doesnt need it, and personaly i'd be worried if they need blood work to compare later on as Ive yet to come across any vet who has taken bloods off a guinea pig or would even think of it, and even more so as its simple to see that if a pig is sick and then blood work is taken they should already know what to look for to see if its different ie hight white cell counts, yes they might have the qualifications but if something doesnt seem right, especaily when it may do more harm than good then you need to question it.

the vets cant really refuse to castrate him just as you dont want to get blood work done as castrating is nothing to do with blood work, the only blood thats involved is when they clam the vessiles when they remove the testies, it is a very simple quick procidure.
 
Just called the vet. They won't neuter him without blood work, so I have no choice. The next closest vet is at least an hour and a half away and not as highly recommended as this vet is.

I just want what's best for the little guy.
 
I guess it must be standard practice in the US, I would just query another vet just to be sure
 
PC
Would you have a blood test just so that it could be used as a baseline in case of future illness?
 
To be honest what is the big deal about taking blood before a neuter? Can someone tell me what the big drama is here?

Not being funny, just wondered? Educate moi! :(|)
 
just it seems so unesasary and due to the fact that guinea have such tiny viens its going to be very intrusive on them and also no blood needs to be taken to carry out a castration especailly a sthere is nothing wrong with the pig and I have yet to hear of any vet taking blood from a pig and it just seems odd thats all
 
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If it helps to identify illness quicker I would have a baseline test taken everytime. Anyway it seems only two people here seem to be against it.
 
I am not gonna argue with them. Like Peter said, they're the vets, they are certainly more educated than we are on this, and if they think it is necessary then it will be done. It is standard procedure for their office, and I have faith they're gonna take care of my boy, which is all that really matters.
 
I agree Linds, it's a tiny amount of blood, it's not as if pig will become anemic from giving a sample. :)
 
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