I believe some vets should be prevented from treating guinea pigs

[piggl]

That's extremely concerning if someone who is training feels that way! Just shows that's it's not just disgruntled pet owners.

I'll try my best to put aside that nagging feeling that I'm being unreasonable in the future. It's difficult when I don't have any professional knowledge, but that doesn't mean I'm automatically wrong.

And thank you!

Very true!

Unfortunately with most vets you have to bring it up like a nonchalant question to avoid them feeling like you’re questioning their opinion.

I hope you will let us know how you get on at the other vets and I hope your lovely piggy is feeling better soon x

 

[piggl]

I bet you will make a wonderful guinea pig vet, shame you’ll not be near me

Aww that’s very kind of you to say!

I plan to go into exotics and then bring that expertise into a general practice, as unfortunately there are a lot of owners unaware of the separate care guinea pigs can need, and they end up with the ‘bog standard’ approach from their local vet clinic.
Obviously I mean this with no hate to any actual vets, but just as a general, I think knowledge in such common pets should be widely increased.

 

[Digital-Sneeze]

Very true!

Unfortunately with most vets you have to bring it up like a nonchalant question to avoid them feeling like you’re questioning their opinion.

I hope you will let us know how you get on at the other vets and I hope your lovely piggy is feeling better soon x

You're probably right, a tactical approach might be best when dealing with vets.

And thank you! He's actually doing quite well the past couple of days. Eating plenty, vocal and active. My only concern is that he seems to perch on things when resting. He's never been much of a lounging pig, but I don't think I've actually seen him lie down properly for a good few months now. I don't know if that really means anything, or it's just a choice he makes, but it makes me wonder nonetheless.

 

[Lisanjake]

I totally understand how you feel. I love my pigs more than anything, but the ever-present feeling that there's a lack of understanding out there means it's a constant uphill struggle with vets, and their varying often cautionary, often bizarre, approaches to dealing with them. I've also considered a life without guinea pigs because of the stress, but bar a perfect storm of losing the last two at once, it would likely mean just keeping one on their own until they pass, which I'm not sure I could do, unless they happen to be especially good on their own. I current have 5, mostly through circumstance, but ultimately 3 will be my limit in the future.

I am currently in this situation.
Struggle with local vets not having a clue about guinea pigs. Like I honestly know more about them than the vet it’s almost embarrassing

I travel 80 miles each way to a very good vet (Simon maddock cat and rabbit clinic) as he is the only vet I trust fully with my guinea pigs.
Anywhere else is basically a waste of money unless it’s a very simple issue.

I now have one piggy who is just over 1 year and I said to myself when I lost my old girl I would return her to where I got her. I know she’s young and she followed Erin about everywhere.

I am going to see how she goes but I’m so afraid she will get lonely. She’s been around other pigs her whole life.

I just need a break from syringe feeds / extremely high vets bills / stress of meds and not being able to go out etc.
god I love them dearly and would do anything for them but I don’t know if my time with pigs at the moment is coming to an end :/

 

[Bill & Ted]

I am currently in this situation.
Struggle with local vets not having a clue about guinea pigs. Like I honestly know more about them than the vet it’s almost embarrassing

I travel 80 miles each way to a very good vet (Simon maddock cat and rabbit clinic) as he is the only vet I trust fully with my guinea pigs.
Anywhere else is basically a waste of money unless it’s a very simple issue.

I now have one piggy who is just over 1 year and I said to myself when I lost my old girl I would return her to where I got her. I know she’s young and she followed Erin about everywhere.

I am going to see how she goes but I’m so afraid she will get lonely. She’s been around other pigs her whole life.

I just need a break from syringe feeds / extremely high vets bills / stress of meds and not being able to go out etc.
god I love them dearly and would do anything for them but I don’t know if my time with pigs at the moment is coming to an end :/

Whatever decision you make will be the right one. Poorly pets take a huge emotional and physical toll on us.

 

[Digital-Sneeze]

I am currently in this situation.
Struggle with local vets not having a clue about guinea pigs. Like I honestly know more about them than the vet it’s almost embarrassing

I travel 80 miles each way to a very good vet (Simon maddock cat and rabbit clinic) as he is the only vet I trust fully with my guinea pigs.
Anywhere else is basically a waste of money unless it’s a very simple issue.

I now have one piggy who is just over 1 year and I said to myself when I lost my old girl I would return her to where I got her. I know she’s young and she followed Erin about everywhere.

I am going to see how she goes but I’m so afraid she will get lonely. She’s been around other pigs her whole life.

I just need a break from syringe feeds / extremely high vets bills / stress of meds and not being able to go out etc.
god I love them dearly and would do anything for them but I don’t know if my time with pigs at the moment is coming to an end :/

It's really hard. It's not just giving them up, it's the worry that they won't be treated as well by their new owners. I haven't reached that point yet, but I know it's always a possibility. Unfortunately for me, since I made this post I lost two of my pigs, and am now down to 3. I'm less stressed as they're younger but now one of them is making pain noises while weeing, so it's back to the vet. I'm hoping for a UTI but historically for me this has always been stones, so we'll see.

I think all you can do is make the best judgement you can as to whether your girl is still happy. I don't envy you though.