Some vets not treating piggies

[GeorgesHuman]

My pig was sick a few weeks ago and I phoned around vets trying to get him an appointment and I was shocked by the number of vets who don't treat 'little furries'. Luckily, my pig's health improved so we didn't have to go anywhere, but if we do in the future, it's a long ride out of town.

 

[HairlessWillow7]

I know how you feel. I have to drive an hour just to get to a vet that treats guinea pigs. The nearest emergency vet is 2 1/2 hours away!

Here in the United States, most people consider guinea pigs a little children's pet. Not many people think it's worth it taking them to a vet So, basically anyone who does care about their piggies has to go out of their way to find a vet

 

[zarapiggie]

i know this one very well! even the pdsa refused!

 

[redd1800]

I've never come across a vet that wouldn't treat piggies. I have had several that have no idea what they are doing and really shouldn't be treating piggies, but are content to take my money.

So hard to get a good piggie vet, I finally have a good vet, but they are the 4th I've tried in as many years.

 

[Freela]

What I've come across is the opposite... pets who will treat piggies, but honestly don't have a clue what they are doing! After two pigs both needed medical care last summer, I've finally got a good vet who knows a lot about pigs (and yeah, I have to drive half an hour to get there too!) But she is an exotics vet, her info is up to date, and I trust her.

I have a ton of guilt over my pig Frenzy, who died at 18 months of age last summer. She had some complicated issues... malocclusion of the teeth, tooth root overgrowth, and an abscess down into the tooth roots and jawbone. The odds were stacked against her. However I can't help but wonder if she might have pulled through if she had been going to the exotics specialist instead of my old vet, who took guinea pigs on as patients but was more of a 'dog and cat' vet. It bothers me to think that if she had seen a vet with more up to date info about cavies and more experience with them, that they might have treated he differently and she might be here today.

 

[Freela]

I know how you feel. I have to drive an hour just to get to a vet that treats guinea pigs. The nearest emergency vet is 2 1/2 hours away!

Here in the United States, most people consider guinea pigs a little children's pet. Not many people think it's worth it taking them to a vet So, basically anyone who does care about their piggies has to go out of their way to find a vet

This is the mentality in Canada too... that guinea pigs are 'short term' pets for children. They aren't seen as a commitment like dogs and cats. When two of my pigs had surgery last summer, I had so many people tell me that I was stupid because I could buy a new pig for twenty dollars at the pet store... that attitude makes me so mad because I'm just as commited to my piggies as your typical dog/cat owner. But that's not the prevalent attitude here.

 

[HairlessWillow7]

This is the mentality in Canada too... that guinea pigs are 'short term' pets for children. They aren't seen as a commitment like dogs and cats. When two of my pigs had surgery last summer, I had so many people tell me that I was stupid because I could buy a new pig for twenty dollars at the pet store... that attitude makes me so mad because I'm just as commited to my piggies as your typical dog/cat owner. But that's not the prevalent attitude here.

I know exactly how you feel! I've been a subject of ridicule a lot because I actually care about my piggies! I say guinea pigs are just as important as any other animal!

 

[MommaPiggy]

I've never come across a vet that wouldn't treat piggies. I have had several that have no idea what they are doing and really shouldn't be treating piggies, but are content to take my money.

So hard to get a good piggie vet, I finally have a good vet, but they are the 4th I've tried in as many years.

I know what you mean. I have a vets that is literally just across the road from me...Really good in case of emergencies but they have no clue what they're doing!
They've said "There's not alot we can do for Guinea Pigs" on several occassions and have still been more than happy to charge me £35 just for me to stand there and be told that!

Thankfully, I have also found a good vet but it's pure luck...
A pet is a pet. I don't think how big or small they are should matter. If they need treatment then they need treatment.