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URGENT - teeth problem, need expert help

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louiser

louiser

Teenage Guinea Pig
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I have lost all confidence in my vet 8...

I remember someone mentioning that there is a vet in Cambridge?! that can deal with guinea pigs back teeth without a general. Please can anyone advise me of the details.

My poor Buffy has had her front teeth clipped and she cannot eat at all! I think her back teeth are now longer than her front teeth so she cannot chew. The vets said bring her in on Monday for a GA but she now only weighs 630grms which is far to light to be given a GA. Please see Buffy's thread http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32546


Many thanks

Louise
 
On the positive side two of my guineas had GAs for various problems and they weighed a lot less than that.
 
Sorry, I don't have Vedra's number, but there is a sticky at the top of this section with recommended vets - is there one in reach of you?

All the best for poor Buffy! what an odyssey!
 
Thank you, we have an appointment tonight at 8.20pm, I really hope she can help, she seemed lovely on the phone
 
Vedra is great and I'm sure she'll be able to help - let us know how you get on. By the way, she doesn't like hay, so put a towel / newspaper in the carrier as she won't let you in with hay! As I found out..

Good luck

Sophie
x
 
Vedra ia amazing and took care of my Fuzzypeg's teeth when my local vet failed to do a good job.

Let us know how you get on,

Charlotte x
 
Best of luck, I hope your appointment has gone well. Vedra is excellent with piggies and a lovely lady.
 
I daresay I shall be criticised yet again for saying this
There is NO need at all to either look at or trim a guinea pig's teeth.
Any vet that tells you that they will only look at and/or trim a pigs teeth under a GA should be avoided.
Buffy has had a narrow escape. To trim the incisors so that they do not meet at all is indefensible.
One day I hope that someone will make a complaint about the treatment their pig has received.
Those of us who knew Peter Gurney can well imagine his views on the subject.
I once went to a public lecture, at Cambridge Vet School, which was about guinea pigs.
I stood up at the end and asked what training students received about gps. The answer was "None"
I stated my views about GA and dental treatment. I offered to return and demonstrate how to look at and treat gp teeth safely and effectively without a general anaesthetic. My offer has yet to be accepted.
Vedra was with me at the lecture and will vouch for what I said.
To those of you how critcise me for my views, all I can say is that whatever I post I have either said, or will say, to anybody in public.

Guinea pigs do not deserve the description ""It is only a guinea pig"
 
I am with you on this one AP hence me recommending you to the OP.

I would never allow any of my own or my foster pigs to go under GA for teeth - I really dread to think how many poor piggies suffer or even die every week for the sake of their teeth.

Piggies are simple creatures but so much more than just a guinea pig.

I hope Buffy gets sorted out soon too!
 
I've just got back and poor Buffy is staying with Vedra. Her front teeth have been cut far too short and they did a bad job too but also they didn't spot she had a kidney stone which is now in her wee area (sorry cant remember exact name as I was too upset when she was telling me).

I am now raked with guilt as I thought I was doing best for my little friend but now I know she is in the best hands, Vedra is excellent. She said she would remove the stone under a local tomorrow and I can pick her up Sunday night.

I will be writing a very strong letter to my vets (now EX vets) about their treatment and lack of treatment.

Thank god for this forum and many thanks to all you for your support.

Louise x
 
I hope your pig makes a full recovery, she deserves it! As I said, she has had a lucky escape, thanks to you.
Why not write to the RCVS as well as to your ex-vet?
I suppose that their response would be along the lines of "It is down to the clinical judgement of each individual vet. and there are as many opinions as there are vets."
 
I'm relieved she is being sorted now, she is in the best hands. Please don't feel guilty about what was missed; after all, it is your vets who should have spotted the problem if anyone, given that Buffy has been seen by such "professionals"! You did all you could, you have done your best for her - the vets are the ones who did not do their job properly.
Thank you for saying you will write to your vets. It will be interesting to know of what response they will give.

One of my older sows had a stone removed from her urethral opening a couple of years ago by Vedra, you wouldn't know anything had been done!
 
Louiser, glad you can get to Vedra and get your Buffy sorted. Do let us know about the response you get from the vet. Good luck with the recovery...
 
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Just rung Vedra and Buffy is fine, she is having her stone removed later today. :...
 
Ah, this is good news. She's in the best hands - you've absolutely done the right thing. Don't feel guilty about taking her to your local vets first, we've all done it, but once you discover Vedra there's no going back!

I had the same experience with my Fuzzypeg's teeth. The incisors were trimmed too short at my vets when it was the molars that were overgrown all along... Vedra sorted him out in a flash and he's a happy chap now!

Keep us updated,

Charlotte x
 
Phew - so glad you are getting things sorted. :) You must have been so stressed.

Definitely don't feel guilty. There is absolutely no reason why you should. Apart from anything else, Vedra is bloomin' miles away from you and me (and even further from most people in the country), so it's never going to be practical to see her every time you need a vet. It might be worth trying out the one I was recommended in Colchester (let me know if you need the details) - not a piggy expert but he does do x-rays without anaesthetic. I've no idea how he is with dental issues though.

This is a really interesting thread. I'd never criticise you for your views, AP, in fact I think they are always very informed. I've mentioned the timing of your comments before, that's all.
 
Certainly not, that is why I know something about guinea pigs!!!
 
Yes but not all vets are bad, it is down to us to find the right treatment for our animals. I know vets here who are experienced in birds and rabbits but not pigs.

Thankfully I was reccomended a vet by Nutmeg, Anne and Dave (from another forum) they are fantastic with pigs.

Louise glad she is getting over the worst. Big hugs, hope you are ok, not spoke to you in a while. x
 
PHSB
I hoped it would raise a smile.
What's the saying about "Many a true word said in fun"?
 
Ay but someone new to the forum may not recognise the humour! :(|) I'm far from a serious Mary myself but not many of us have access to Vedra, shes just a tad too far for me! i knew I should have gone and lived in Norfolk when I had the chance! mallethead
 
To be accurate the quotation is really
"Many a true word (is) spoken in jest"
I changed jest to fun in case Australians don't understand the ancient words we still use in England!!
 
If I am not careful I shall be transported to Australia. You sent us the Dame and Sir Les!!
 
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