Took The Ever Beautiful Betsy to the vet today .....

Betsy

Betsy

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At Betsy's weekly check yesterday, I noticed that she had a very painful back so I took her to the vet today. I've not seen this particular vet before. I'm not sure that I trust her tbh. I was actually allowed in to the Consultation Room today. First of all she said that Betsy was very overweight (at a weight of 1058g and a good heft I don't think so). I thought she had arthritis in her spine but the vet said that her muscle mass round her pelvis was practically non existent and the fur was hiding this. I asked if this could be due to old age as RB Piggy Patsy was very thin around her bum and Betsy is nearly 6. The vet said that it might be. The vet asked if Betsy was getting enough exercise and asked if she was walking OK. I explained that Betsy gets plenty of opportunity for exercise. I told the vet that Betsy gets the recommended tablespoon of pellets scatter fed and also the recommended amount of veg also scatter fed. She eats lots of hay. Also she shares half a bowl of forage with Meg every day with some pro-C sprinkled on the top to help build up winter reserves as they live in the garage. The last thing this particular vet said to me was make sure she gets more vitamin C. Betsy doesn't really need anymore vitamin C she gets plenty in her diet. It's such a shame that Rachel or Chloe weren't available today as they are the guinea pig specialists at my vets. This vet did say that she didn't see many guinea pigs. She didn't need to tell me that I knew that just by speaking to her. IMO she didn't examine Betsy very thoroughly. I was also asked if Betsy had had Metacam orally before to which I answered that she had. Then I was told to give her the dosage that she had before. I can't remember that as it was after she had her spay at the beginning of Lockdown 1 so that would have been a VERY high dosage. So I'm going to give Betsy what Kim told me to give Meg who has spinal arthritis which is 0.3ml of dog Metacam twice a day. When I asked the vet if it was for long term use (which I suspect it will be) she didn't seem to know the answer to that and said that the Metacam could take a week or so to kick in and to watch for soft poops. So basically I feel like it was a wasted trip and a waste of money to see a vet who seemed completely clueless!
 
I'm sorry you don't seem to have gotten any clear answers about what may be bugging her. Could you book her in to see one of the other two experienced vets next week? Hopefully the metacam will make her more comfortable, but I understand you wanting to try and figure out what is going on. Hugs.
 
I know it can be frustrating as I had a similar experience many years ago with a family pig I took the vet. I am not nearly as knowledgeable about guinea pig health as I am today, but even then I could tell the vet I saw had very little idea what they were talking about when it came to piggies. It doesn't leave you with a nice feeling and can cause a lot of stress. I hope you can get her to one of the more experienced vets soon and find some answers!
 
next time you go insist on seeing your regular experienced vets that you trust. It‘s so annoying when you get a vet that’s obviously got no interest and/or experience with guinea pigs. I‘ve had a couple like that and tbh why should you pay for a rubbish consultation
Hope little Betsy will feel better after she has started on the Metacam x
 
Poor Betsy! I hope the metacam works :( I'm sure it will at least make her more comfortable. This used to happen to me, which is why I specifically request appointments with a certain vet and opt to wait, or call every day for cancellations. If I see anyone else, chances are I'll be back in a week to see my regular vet with the exact same issue.

Crossing my fingers for just a little old age creakiness, and nothing worse.
 
To be honest I would be calling the vets up and explaining what happened and that you feel it was a waste of both your time and the vets time. I would ask to be rebooked with one of the usual vets and explain that you feel they would disagree with some of the advice given. You could mention that you don't want to pay a second consultation charge but it might be that once you see your usual vet they take it off anyway if they agree that you didn't receive an adequate service
 
Sounds as the vet really doesn’t know guinea pigs.
I think @Lady Kelly has made some really good points.
Hopefully you can get in to see Rachel or Chloe and get a proper diagnosis.
At least the metacam should relie the pain for now.
 
It's so frustrating for you... hope the pain relief helps Betsy xx
 
Me and the boys wish Betsy a speedy recovery. Hope the medicines help. ❤️

I nearly always feel like that after a vet visit. 😕
 
I do hope Betsy is feeling better soon. ❤️

I had a similar experience a few months ago. I got a young new vet at the practice and he was clueless about guinea pigs. In the end I think he was fed up of my questions and got quite flustered and took my piggy to see one of the senior vets. I realize that new vets have to learn but I would rather it wasn't on my piggies.
 
In had one vet who was totally incapable of holding Ted, she nearly dropped him and Ted would sit in anyone’s hands quite happily. heaven help anyone with skittish piggies that ever visit her 🙄 and then couldn’t get a small tissue punch sample ear dispute him being held by an assistant, you wonder what you are paying your money for sometimes

Hope Betsy is feeling less tender soon, she is definitely not overweight!
 
My last trip with Cleo to local vets was similar to yours @YvonneBlue, although she told me she’s had rabbits and guinea pigs so I thought she might be a bit better! 🙄
We only really needed metacam but she insisted on giving her a good checkover. Couldn’t take her temp (while she screamed the place down and in the end I had to tell her to stop), could barely hold her or look in her mouth etc. So I asked for metacam and paid £40 consultation for her stressing her out and me getting bitten! Definitely won’t see her again! 😡
But we got dog metacam without a fight so that’s good for some of the local vets!
 
Billie loves Metacam as well.
Her weight is classified Information. :cool:
But except for little Vicky all of my girls weigh at least as much as Betsy and apart from Billie (who always was more on the chubby side), I wouldn't call them overweight.
 
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