First vet visit very nervous

[Savyx_x]

Taking my Mabel to the vet today because her little wheezing noises are coming back I just made her an appointment. is there anything I should know before going in and getting antibiotics I’m very nervous I’ve never had to see a vet before I don’t know what’s gunna happen I don’t know if they are just gunna take her from me and I can’t be in the room with her is it okay that she has her normal meals before they treat her? And what exactly is the antibiotics is it a shot ?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Try not to worry.

Whether you can go in with her is going to depend on what covid restrictions are still in place. My vets only started allowing owners to go into the consulting room with our pets again just a month ago. The procedure up until then was to hand over in the car park, a discussion about the issue and then wait outside while the vet took the animal in for the consultation. They then brought the animal back out for a chat about what they found.

Yes she can eat as normal. Guinea pigs must never be fasted at all, not even before an operation. They need fibre constantly going through their guts to keep them functioning (a piggy who isn’t eating is and will become seriously ill). If an inexperienced vet ever tells you to fast a guinea pig then find another vet!

If she needs antibiotics, then you will need to give them to her by syringe via her mouth.
You will be given a bottle of liquid and told what her dosage is (you would give antibiotics twice a day)

Antibiotics can sometimes upset their appetite (not always though), so if she was to be prescribed some, then it’s important to weigh her daily so you can be sure she is still eating her normal amount of hay. Stepping in with syringe feeding should you find any disruption to the appetite.
We also recommend giving a probiotic 1-2 hours either before or after an antibiotic dose (not at the same time as) as that can help settle their tummy

 

[Savyx_x]

Where do I get probiotics they won’t give me that with the antibiotics? Also Do you know how much this visit might range in on cost? The lady on the phone told me she couldn’t tell me how much the antibiotics will be but that the exam itself will start at 90$ But I’m hoping the antibiotics will be a little cheaper than the exam

 

[Piggies&buns]

Where do I get probiotics they won’t give me that with the antibiotics? Also Do you know how much this visit might range in on cost? The lady on the phone told me she couldn’t tell me how much the antibiotics will be but that the exam itself will start at 90$ But I’m hoping the antibiotics will be a little cheaper than the exam

They probably won’t give probiotics because they are not a medication. You can get them from a pet shop. In the US, the most common probiotic is BeneBac.

All vet costs vary so we could not tell you how much it will be. Added to that, being in the Uk, our charges are different to yours in the US, plus US vet costs tend to be higher than in the UK.
For example, I pay £25 for a consultation but I pay more for the medication than I do the consultation for my rabbit who is on long term pain meds for arthritis.

 

[Savyx_x]

I think I'm just overthinking it because I’ve had 2 other guineas I’ve had to take to the vet for pretty much the same thing when I was younger and I remember whatever they did just didn’t help my piggies I felt like it made them worse and I really don’t have the money to waste on this if it won’t work but I’d do anything for my babies so I’m willing to take the chance again just very nervous I wanna cry lol I’m sure it will be fine though thank you for the advice

 

[Savyx_x]

They probably won’t give probiotics because they are not a medication. You can get them from a pet shop. In the US, the most common probiotic is BeneBac.

All vet costs vary so we could not tell you how much it will be. Added to that, being in the Uk, our charges are different to yours in the US, plus US vet costs tend to be higher than in the UK.
For example, I pay £25 for a consultation but I pay more for the medication than I do the consultation for my rabbit who is on long term pain meds for arthritis.

Should I leave my other piggy at home while we take mabel to the vet or should I bring her with because it’s a bit of a drive I’m a bit worried abt leaving my Evie all alone

 

[Betsy]

It's always best to take another piggy as a pawholder. If you have to hand Mabel and her friend over and aren't allowed in, make sure that the vet knows which piggy is which! I know it sounds obvious but if you're nervous, its the thing that you forget to do. Also write down a list of symptoms that Mabel has just so that you don't forget to tell the vet.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree - take both piggies, they do better to have their companion with them

 

[Merab]

Hope all goes well.
Will be thinking of you

 

[Savyx_x]

Thank you all I’ll definitely be bringing Evie with her we will be leaving here soon for our little trip to the doctor I’ll let you know how it goes

 

[Savyx_x]

The vet visit went good my babies behaved great, didn’t panic at all they did an exam and didn’t find anything in her chest they gave her a vitamin c shot just in case even though I don’t think she really needed it I know she gets plenty from her veggies but I went with what they said. They prescribed her enrofloxocin and an anti-inflammatory drug I hope that it’s okay to give to her even if she doesn’t really need it because it didn’t really seem like they knew what was wrong or even thought there was anything wrong in fact they thought it was Evie who was sick because she loves to sleep and that’s what she was doing most the time we were there but by the time we had our appointment Mabel seemed perfectly fine The noises had went away hours before our appointment also I chose not to get the other scan they were gunna do because they didn’t really think she needed it so that could be the reason why they weren’t sure maybe I did need the scan for them to know better.. they also told me that the antibiotics could give her diarrhea or make her lose her appetite which I’m worried about and I didn’t even ask about probiotics and if I should give them to her with the antibiotics to be honest I felt like I knew more than the vet did just based off all the info I’ve read on this site and the info she was giving me but they were all very nice people there I just really have a hard time trusting vets I just gotta find one I can trust I’m sure everyone else can relate though.