Shopping around for a vet.

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

So with a possible vet visit for George approaching for his "iffy" toe, I have been pricing vets today. While our pigs have gone to vets before, they were never exceptionally "cavy savvy." Granted, they were able to provide antibiotics when needed, but i have never been greatly impressed. So I called around to different vets I found on Google who treat guinea pigs, to get basic pricing. Since I'm used to US currency, I'm not sure how these would translate into pounds (?), but these were the prices for just an office visit, with no further treatment prices added :
1. rainbow vet-$44.75 (highly reccomended on google) 2. Beaver Animal Clinic-43.75-47.75 depending on what time of day or day of the week 3. Animal General-$48.00 and 4. Banfield 40.95. Banfield is the vet we took Piglet to he and George got into a brawl. They know the least about guinea pigs, but are also the least expensive. Animal General, while the most expensive and farthest away from my house, seems to specialize in exotics. And Rainbow is also far away, but they seem to have the best reviews online. So I obviously have a decision to make.
Just out of curiosity, how to these prices compare to prices in the UK? It seems like as long as a vet treats a guinea pig, or any other exotic, the price goes up.

 

[Nicola_]

I was at the vet the other day and a general check up and nail clipping cost me £18.75 which my currency converter says is about $30, however it looks like in your area $40-$50 is average price. Is go with whichever one you feel is going to give you the best service - good luck

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

I'm jealous! I was under the impression that guinea pig vets are cheaper in the UK (i think gps are more common there), so my suspicions are proven! Haha i guess ten dollars isn't a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but for someone who is currently unemployed, every cent counts! I guess I have another reason to add to the "I'm tired of the US list"! Lol

 

[klee]

I'm jealous! I was under the impression that guinea pig vets are cheaper in the UK (i think gps are more common there), so my suspicions are proven! Haha i guess ten dollars isn't a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but for someone who is currently unemployed, every cent counts! I guess I have another reason to add to the "I'm tired of the US list"! Lol

I've been to an exotics in the uk and paid 45 pound for a consultation and no meds, and to be honest didn't rate their service. The vets i see now is £16 and is a mixed practice however I tend to only see one vet who specialises in exotics- unfortunately she has just broken her arm so i have to see someone else.

 

[BossHogg]

I had all 3 of my pigs and 2 rabbits checked last month including a general once over, nails clipped and weighed and it only cost me £20.

 

[klee]

I had all 3 of my pigs and 2 rabbits checked last month including a general once over, nails clipped and weighed and it only cost me £20.

I can beat you on that, My local vets (i.e. who we go to if we can't get elsewhere) on occasion don't charge unless a treatment is given.

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

Rub it in! Haha just joking. i think I'm gonna go with Rainbows, because they have a vet on call 24/7 and even do home visits. I know it's very unlikely that I will need to use a home visit, since guinea pigs aren't exactly hard to travel with, but I appreciate the idea behind it. I just wish guinea pigs were more common around here; the vet who treats my dog and cats is a lot less expensive, but still very capable.

 

[Stewybus]

My local vets are very good. A consultation costs £13.50 (about $20) but they don't always charge. For instance I took 3 of my piggies in for a fungal after previously taking the other 2 in a 3 weeks earlier & again for a post treatment check-up. I wasn't charged for the post treatment check-up or for the 2nd group of 3 piggies. Also after ops all the post-op visits are free apart from any extra meds.

 

[Amanda1801]

I've paid between £30 and £90 for consultation fees ($48-$145)