Which Vets Is Best?

[Little Ones]

The vets I normally take my piggies to has closed down recently and I'm looking to book them in for a check up. I need advice on which place would be best to go to, there is a vets that is 10 minutes away by car, I take my cat there, in their website there aren't any information on small animals, just cats and dogs but I think they will treat small animals but I'm not sure how skilled and understanding they will be. Some of you may know that one of my babies went underwater for around 20-30 seconds yesterday so whilst I'm there I want them to check for any water in his lungs thoroughly, this is why I want them to be fully trained and this is also why I'm booking them both in for a check up at this time.
There is another place 20 minutes away which I found using the Guinea pig vet locator thing on this website, they mention small animals on their website and because of the locator I think that they will be more specialised in small animals. They don't like car travelling so I don't want to put them through 40 minutes of hell - not even including when we get there!
What do you think would be the best option? I know that both will be trained but usually vets only specialise in Cats and Dogs, they know they rest but not to a certain extent. I want the best for my babies!

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I think it 'd be a very good idea to take your guinea pig for a check up . Maybe you could ring your regular vet up and ask the receptionist if any of the vets are experienced with guinea pigs ......

 

[xxaimeexx]

I would go for the more experienced vet, as they should be able to treat any problems better. I would make their carrier full of food and nice and small and cosy so the feel secure, this will minimise their stress. If you do want to consider the closer vets then you could give them a phone and simply ask about their experience treating small furries and whether they would be able to perform certain procedures if need be.

 

[Little Ones]

I think it 'd be a very good idea to take your guinea pig for a check up . Maybe you could ring your regular vet up and ask the receptionist if any of the vets are experienced with guinea pigs ......

It is a veryyyy good idea to take him for a check up, he seems fine but I can't help but still be worried about him. I thought about that but my mum doesn't want any mess about as she doesn't think they need to go at the moment and she's the one who wants to ring up - I'll tell her to say that exactly as it'll get a quick and firm answer, I didn't think the phrase it in that way haha so thank you

I would go for the more experienced vet, as they should be able to treat any problems better. I would make their carrier full of food and nice and small and cosy so the feel secure, this will minimise their stress. If you do want to consider the closer vets then you could give them a phone and simply ask about their experience treating small furries and whether they would be able to perform certain procedures if need be.

I'll be sure to do that and make it feel like a second home, thanks for the tip I'll make sure that all that is asked, thank you

 

[Wiebke]

The vets I normally take my piggies to has closed down recently and I'm looking to book them in for a check up. I need advice on which place would be best to go to, there is a vets that is 10 minutes away by car, I take my cat there, in their website there aren't any information on small animals, just cats and dogs but I think they will treat small animals but I'm not sure how skilled and understanding they will be. Some of you may know that one of my babies went underwater for around 20-30 seconds yesterday so whilst I'm there I want them to check for any water in his lungs thoroughly, this is why I want them to be fully trained and this is also why I'm booking them both in for a check up at this time.
There is another place 20 minutes away which I found using the Guinea pig vet locator thing on this website, they mention small animals on their website and because of the locator I think that they will be more specialised in small animals. They don't like car travelling so I don't want to put them through 40 minutes of hell - not even including when we get there!
What do you think would be the best option? I know that both will be trained but usually vets only specialise in Cats and Dogs, they know they rest but not to a certain extent. I want the best for my babies!

Even though you don't fancy driving further, seeing a piggy savvy vet can really make a huge difference once you get into the more difficult stuff. Guinea pigs travel better than you might expect. I am going on the train with mine to see a specialist in another city, even when they are freshly operated and have never had any trouble. Ideally you take both for company and use a carrier.
For emergencies I use a local general vets. If you wish to, you can do the same and register at both vets, using the specialists whenever you feel that your local vets are/may struggle with a diagnosis or treatment.

Here are travelling tips: Travelling with guinea pigs

 

[Little Ones]

Even though you don't fancy driving further, seeing a piggy savvy vet can really make a huge difference once you get into the more difficult stuff. Guinea pigs travel better than you might expect. I am going on the train with mine to see a specialist in another city, even when they are freshly operated and have never had any trouble. Ideally you take both for company and use a carrier.
For emergencies I use a local general vets. If you wish to, you can do the same and register at both vets, using the specialists whenever you feel that your local vets are/may struggle with a diagnosis or treatment.

Here are travelling tips: Travelling with guinea pigs

I don't mind the travelling, I don't want them to be in the carrier longer than they have to be, so thank you for the travelling tips I have the carrier to take them both in, whilst I'm there, they will be both be having a check up, I hope everything goes well for your piggy with the specialist!

 

[biscandmatt]

always the more piggy savvy vet definitely. most piggies do well with travelling.

 

[Freela]

I would definitely say to go to the vet with the most guinea pig-related experience. It makes a HUGE difference. A lot of vets will say that sure, they'll treat guinea pigs, but they have limited experience and knowledge and it can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. I've been there... I had a pig who was treated by a 'sure, I see guinea pigs' vet, only to realize later on (when I got a much better pig-savvy vet) that she was inadequately treated and that the care she received was far from the current standard. He meant well but didn't have up-to-date information and had minimal practical experience of what he was doing- and it showed, and I lost a sweet, young piggie because of it. It still upsets me to this day that she might have been saved by an exotics vet (and one of my current pigs was treated for the exact same issue by my current exotic/small animal vet and made a full recovery and thus far has had another two years of a happy life because of state-of-the art care from someone who knew his stuff.) I drive a lot farther to see my exotics vet, but it is absolutely 100% worth it. And ironically, he charges less than the guy who didn't know what he was doing! Most pigs travel pretty well... I actually truck mine back and forth to the cottage all summer (it's a two-hour drive) with no problem. For the vet, I use a carrier with a blanket lining it and give them some treats for the road. Though, to be fair, my one pig with all the health issues doesn't like the carrier much because I really only use it for the vet, so when she goes in there, she knows where she's going!

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I take my guinea pigs to a local vets ( Springfield - it's on the vet locator ) for "straighforward" conditions . My nearest exotics specialist vet is not on this vet locator and is a 45 minute drive for me. All my guinea pigs are registered with both vets .

 

[Little Ones]

I would definitely say to go to the vet with the most guinea pig-related experience. It makes a HUGE difference. A lot of vets will say that sure, they'll treat guinea pigs, but they have limited experience and knowledge and it can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. I've been there... I had a pig who was treated by a 'sure, I see guinea pigs' vet, only to realize later on (when I got a much better pig-savvy vet) that she was inadequately treated and that the care she received was far from the current standard. He meant well but didn't have up-to-date information and had minimal practical experience of what he was doing- and it showed, and I lost a sweet, young piggie because of it. It still upsets me to this day that she might have been saved by an exotics vet (and one of my current pigs was treated for the exact same issue by my current exotic/small animal vet and made a full recovery and thus far has had another two years of a happy life because of state-of-the art care from someone who knew his stuff.) I drive a lot farther to see my exotics vet, but it is absolutely 100% worth it. And ironically, he charges less than the guy who didn't know what he was doing! Most pigs travel pretty well... I actually truck mine back and forth to the cottage all summer (it's a two-hour drive) with no problem. For the vet, I use a carrier with a blanket lining it and give them some treats for the road. Though, to be fair, my one pig with all the health issues doesn't like the carrier much because I really only use it for the vet, so when she goes in there, she knows where she's going!

I've booked them both in for a check up with an experienced vet, I'm so sorry about what happened to your piggy! I know it's hard, but don't blame yourself, we all live and learn, I think that they should state how much experience they actually have because it can be misleading and when it can come to life or death, misleading will be no help... But anyway, they're booked in with an exotic vet, they'll get the job done well, I hope there's nothing serious to treat, I'll have to hope for the best

 

[Freela]

I've booked them both in for a check up with an experienced vet, I'm so sorry about what happened to your piggy! I know it's hard, but don't blame yourself, we all live and learn, I think that they should state how much experience they actually have because it can be misleading and when it can come to life or death, misleading will be no help... But anyway, they're booked in with an exotic vet, they'll get the job done well, I hope there's nothing serious to treat, I'll have to hope for the best

It's always good for a checkup, and hopefully no serious issues! It's a great idea when you are in the market for a vet to do a checkup and get a feel for the vet before it's an urgent situation where time pressure comes into play!