my boys will be a year old soon, both healthy happy pigs who i believe are well cared for, i've been thinking i should pop them along to the vet for a check up? is this a good thing to do or am i better saving the money (not that this is an issue when it comes to my pets!) should they 'need' the vet or is an annual check the right and resposible thing to do?.
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should guinea pigs have an annual health check
- Thread starter kesmin
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gizmo01
Adult Guinea Pig
there are various checks you can perform yourself like daily/weekly weighing, claws and teeth. i would say that a yearly vet checkup is a great idea though because they'll be able to spot potential problems
flintstones
Senior Guinea Pig
There's no harm in testing the vet before you need them, I did my research a vet was recommended, my pig became ill and it VERY quickly became apparent the vet didn't have a clue and I had to change vet's thankfully I now have an excellent vet but sadly my pig passed away.
It pays to do your research but I don't think you will ever know how good a vet is before you need them unless it's from recommendations even then it isn't guaranteed.
My new vet went on to do AMAZING surgery on another pig and he's still with me so I guess that's my silver lining!
It pays to do your research but I don't think you will ever know how good a vet is before you need them unless it's from recommendations even then it isn't guaranteed.
My new vet went on to do AMAZING surgery on another pig and he's still with me so I guess that's my silver lining!
lauraboara
Adult Guinea Pig
I think it is not a bad idea because even though you do checks when you handle them, clip nails etc, not many slaves will go as far as listening to their hearts and breathing - which a vet should be doing at a check up. Mainly as we don't have all the kit for a start.
i do have a great vet, and a bit like Doctors (spend way too much time with them!) i am always greatly reassured when i know that if they dont know they will say so and then find you someone who does. not that this has happened yet and the care my pets (and i) have had has always been second to none.
got the kit, fine with checking breathing but those little hearts beat way to fast for me to hear anything i could interpret! **** best not to share kit from patients to pets either
Yes I would say get them an annual exam each year. It really is a good thing to do,the vet can catch a problem early,it might be something that you may miss that only a vet who specializes in small animals would be able to diaganose. And you want a vet who specializes in exotic/small animals,not just a regular dog/cat vet.And it might actually save you money in the long run if they catch a problem early.
TAN
Adult Guinea Pig
If you have pet insurance through exotic direct it is in the small print that they need to have an annual check up - you may find any insurance claim could be invalid if you dont get them vet checked annually.
I would definately do an annual healthcheck. I do it for my budgies even though they are healthy and I will do it for my GPs too!
That way you can discuss any concerns, weight etc It also gives you a sense of happiness as you know your guinea pigs are healthy and fine.
If the vet is too expensive and you think that it might be better to save it for a rainy day then do save it, but if you have extra money then a health check would be great
That way you can discuss any concerns, weight etc It also gives you a sense of happiness as you know your guinea pigs are healthy and fine.
If the vet is too expensive and you think that it might be better to save it for a rainy day then do save it, but if you have extra money then a health check would be great
Abi_nurse
Adult Guinea Pig
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Its ideal, but not all do. Not doing so does not mean you are a bad owner. I would always say all cats/dogs should see a vet at least once a year, so i would have to say piggies/rabbits etc should really too.
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bessiehen
Junior Guinea Pig
I agree with flinstones, it can be good to take them to a vet to get an idea of the vet in case of future emergency. The first vet I took mine to (just up the road) had a locum who loved guinea pigs, but the second time we went the practice vet was very dismissive of guinea pigs. (First time was for a check up, second time was for runny nose) .When I had a concern recently I took mine to a specialist vet - 30 minutes drive away and twice the cost but checked the pig thoroughly and alleviated all concerns. I'm very lucky to have a close vet friend who gives mine the once over whenever she comes round, but whenever I text her about concerns her response is always 'take them to the vet'!
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