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Please help me find Competent vet

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Salt n Peppers mum

Salt n Peppers mum

Adult Guinea Pig
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I'm sure many of you have the same problem but I just want a vet that I can trust and rely on. Its so frustrating having to tell your vet up to date things when they should be telling me what treatment my Piggie needs. OK rant over. Now for the update.

This is going back to January. My boy Pepper started crying when passing stools (and sometimes pee), I found jelly type blood. First vet gave me Baytril just for a week. When he went back for his next appointment I asked for a different vet to look at him as I didnt like that the first vet refused to give me Septrin or do a x-ray without giving him gas. The different vet agreed to give me Septrin. Pepper was on a 2 week course but the vet said he wouldnt give him on anymore as it wasnt good for them to be on it too long. He also agreed to x-ray by putting the x-ray plate into his carry box - no gas. So I was really pleased a vet was working with me. By the way that turned out to be OK no bladder stones.
However it didnt take long for Pepper to start squeeking again once he had come of the Septrin.
Today I have rung round some vets here in Yorkshire. One advert said they treat excotics but once I rang them I think they have just as much experience in Guinea pigs as the next vet.
I feel so frustrated. When you need help you want someone to help and take the burden off you.
I'm not sure if my vet will give me anymore septrin if I go back to him? I think he was at a loss at what to do next anyway. Its about a month since his Seprin

Where do I turn?
If I go somewhere else it'll be the same old story.
I want Pepper to be pain free and treated without me being stressed about if my vet is doing the right treatment if that makes sense.

Any advice greatly recieved.

From Paula and Pepper
 
Ring the cambridge cavy trust and ask them to help you find someone, I say someone because they may not be a vet as such, more of an expert.You may have to travel a bit but its worth it to find someone who knows what they are doing.
 
Hi paula and pepper, I have done the rodentology course and am in sheffield, what I find works is that you ask your vet to phone Vedra at the CCT for advice when they havent got any more suggestions. Vedra usually sorts them out! I have done an advice sheet about treating urine infections which i could email you if that would help.
Unfortunately, I cant supply medication as I am not a vet, but I usually can persuade my vet to give me what I feel the piggie needs. I can give you their number if you like.
I am not sure if I am supposed to put phone numbers on the forum but as I cant PM then my number is 07785 562428.
Barbara. Good luck!
 
Barbara, Thank you so much. Something positive to go on. At least I can do something now instead of feeling stuck going round and round in circles. I am from Doncaster so not far from you too. I will PM you my e-mail for the advice sheet.

I have phoned my vet today but as he was busy with clients he got his receptionist to talk through his instruction. And to be honest she spent a lot of time listening and advising me which was great. But his next shift isnt while Thursday. But he recommended that tomorrow I collect a urine sample and get it in to the vets straight away (within the hour) they will run an in house test on it and prescribe what is needed. So we can go from there. I just get the feeling that once he is off the antibiotics it will start all over age.:(

I have studied the information about diet for Piggies with this problem from Laura thread and looked at other information too. The pearl barley, the cranberry etc.
I will do my best to get the best treatment for him.
 
Give your pig a Buscopan Tablet.
Crush the tablet, mix with 1ml of water and then syringe feed the mixture to the pig.
Buscopan is available at all chemist shops, don't say it is for a pig!
It is not a pain killer, it does relieve muscle spasms and is very effective in cases of bladder discomfort.
 
alcesterpigs said:
Give your pig a Buscopan Tablet.
Crush the tablet, mix with 1ml of water and then syringe feed the mixture to the pig.
Buscopan is available at all chemist shops, don't say it is for a pig!
It is not a pain killer, it does relieve muscle spasms and is very effective in cases of bladder discomfort.
Click to expand...

Thanks Alcesterpigs

I have given him Buscopan previously, as you kindly advised me the last time I posted. I do have some left but haven't given any tonight though as wanted the urine sample clear of drugs for tomorrow's sample.
 
pig in the city said:
Hi paula and pepper, I have done the rodentology course and am in sheffield, what I find works is that you ask your vet to phone Vedra at the CCT for advice when they havent got any more suggestions. Vedra usually sorts them out! I have done an advice sheet about treating urine infections which i could email you if that would help.
Unfortunately, I cant supply medication as I am not a vet, but I usually can persuade my vet to give me what I feel the piggie needs. I can give you their number if you like.
I am not sure if I am supposed to put phone numbers on the forum but as I cant PM then my number is 07785 562428.
Barbara. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Sorry Barbara couldnt PM you. I will phone you.
 
Do you go to Bentley Road Vets in Doncaster?
Or can you get to Barnsley at all, we have a fantastic piggy and bunny savvy vet here. We use them as our 24 hour cover for our boarding business too and they have helped to save many a poorly piggy.
 
Holidayhutch said:
Do you go to Bentley Road Vets in Doncaster?
Or can you get to Barnsley at all, we have a fantastic piggy and bunny savvy vet here. We use them as our 24 hour cover for our boarding business too and they have helped to save many a poorly piggy.
Click to expand...

Hi Lynne.

I go to Vets4pets now. To be honest Bernard is fantastic and willing to try stuff and listens to me which I find a great relief and big hurdle. He also takes his time to exam Pepper, he never rushes. I was in 40 minutes the last time. It's just that now its getting to the point where I just want him to be better and a confirmed diagnoises. The x-ray showed clear for stones but I was thinking whether small crystal type particals or sludge would show up in the x-ray? Could this be irritating him?

I did ring a vet at Barnsley yesterday called Abbey. They have about 6 branches I believe and I asked if any of their Vets were particularly good with Guinea Pigs. She said not specially but they do treat Guinea pigs. So I thought well I'd be starting from square one with another vet so I rang Vets4pets back up.
I'm gonna see how the Urine sample turns out and get some meds for him then go from there. Thankfully Barbara (Pig in the city) has given me some hope and great advice too about getting my vet to ring Vedra up.

Oh by the way Lynne thanks for dropping my Burns dog food off last week. I'll need some more hay soon, I'm probley too late to sort it for today? Maybe next week?
Paula
 
Vets just rang and said slight blood trace in Peppers urine from the sample I took in this morning. Slight crystals but they didnt think that was anything to worry about?

They will start him off again on Septrin. But if it doesnt work they want him in and take another x-ray and urine sample so thay can look at a cultured sample I think she said. I think she meant have him in for the day. We'll have to get to that part if and when the time comes.
 
I am wishing you the best!

Cystitis can sometimes be impossible to get rid of.
 
hi Paula, I have e mailed you that info sheet I mentioned, although I suspect most of the info you need is already on the forum. One of my pigs is on septrin all the time in a low dose to control urinary problems and it doesnt seem to bother her. I give probiotics to keep her gut flora healthy.
Hope pepper picks up soon! Barbara xx
 
Thanks Barbara - I got it ! Mailed you back.
Thanks for the time you took to chat too.
So stressful when piggies are unwell. I'll take one step at a time and monitor the next 2 weeks that he's on Septrin.
No doubt I'll be back to you now I know we live close by. And its good to have the support.

Thanks to everyone for your advise and support. Its good to have Piggie friends.
 
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