Idea Of Vet Costs?

[Rosanna Kapur]

Hi,
I recently adopted my 2 little piggies and have registered them today at my local vets. I'm made an appointment for them to go in Wednesday for a general check up and to make sure I'm happy with the vet for future care. I was wondering if anyone had a rough idea of how much vet trips cost for a check up and when medical treatment is needed?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,
I recently adopted my 2 little piggies and have registered them today at my local vets. I'm made an appointment for them to go in Wednesday for a general check up and to make sure I'm happy with the vet for future care. I was wondering if anyone had a rough idea of how much vet trips cost for a check up and when medical treatment is needed?

You have to enquire at your vets as to their consultation fees. They can vary widely, as can the quality/piggy-savviness of the vets. I use a decent general vet clinic for emergency and straight forward issues, but a more specialised vet further afield for operations and difficult cases.
Here is a list of recommended piggy savvy vets: Guinea Pig Vet Locator
veterinary fees - some important information

These links here may help you when to see a vet and how quickly you need see one:
Early Signs Of Illness
Should my piggie see a vet? - a quick guide

 

[TAN]

Vet charges vary enormously - I have two vets (one a piggy specialist and my local vets for when I know it's nothing too serious ) and they both charge practically the same - my vets charge about £26 for a first consultation - if they need antibiotics it is about £7 - same for most eye drops - a follow on check up the next week is £11 - x-rays about £25 - £30 per plate (sometimes need 2 plates )ultrasound about £65 - it goes on from there really - I have mine insured with exotic direct who are the only company in this country who insure guinea pigs - it costs £14.50 a month per pig - and you have to pay the first £65 of any claim.

Some people put savings away every month in a vet fund (but I know I would break into it and spend it).

For the first 18 months I didn't have to claim anything - but over the last 2 years my pigs have cost me nearly £4000 (yes I did put the right number of 0's on ) - we have had 6 operations - ongoing twice weekly vet visits for bumblefoot - chiropractor treatment for one pig (8 sessions at £45 a session) accupuncture - physio - bladder stone operations - lump removals - just the luck of the draw - but no way I could have afforded it as a single parent - my friend has 10 pigs and nothing more than the odd vet visit.

Best thing to do is find the vet locator on here for a recommended vet near you who is good with piggies and check out their prices as well - a piggy savvy vet can save you a fortune in fees if your pigs ever need to see a vet with something that an ordinary vet might not be able to diagnose properly - not to scare you about costs and illness - I have just been unlucky.

 

[biscandmatt]

fees can vary so much. consults at ours (our personal preference is to travel to see the specialist vet for everything) start around £30/32 i think. then there is a sliding scale for additional pets, although most of the time they charge 1st and 4th price if you take two rather than the 1st and 2nd price. sometimes they waive the fee for the second but usually when you first go they charge the 'proper' prices but give alot of reductions when you become a regular. at least ours do anyway.

treatment costs vary hugely aswell - £30-50 i'd consider one of the 'cheaper' bills. i'm even 'happy' if it doesn't go over £100. eddie managed a bill of over £300 for just the weekend he was admitted. mollie's on-going bladder treatment since last may is currently well over £650, probably more. thankfully both were insured and i highly recommend this. i've never owned a pet where insurance wouldn't have been worth having. only exotic direct insure piggies though currently but they've been great in our experience.

not all vets are piggy-savvy so ask questions at your local vet. all have a more specialist vet that they are able to consult with and refer people to, so maybe ask where that is and go straight there instead if that is an option. the vet locator will hopefully help

 

[Rosanna Kapur]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm glad you've mentioned the insurance! I've not been able to find one who covers Guinea pigs.

 

[flintstones]

There is only one company exotic direct.

 

[Kerrie74]

I've paid anything from £16.99 to £23 for consultations. Does your vet have a website or can you call to ask what the fee's would be?

I was going to cover my guinea's but the excess is a bit high so I haven't bothered. It would cost me a bit to cover 10 guinea's as well lol.

 

[Claire W]

You are well within your right to ask the vets their prices before committing to anything. As already mentioned, prices vary from vet practice to vet practice.

My piggies are registered at a good local vet although I only tend to book them in with one of the vets there who is their main 'small animal' expert unless it's an emergency. My vets aren't classed as exotic specialists but they are always happy and willing to contact a specialist for advise and refer me if they feel it necessary which I think is important.

As I have been using the same vet for quite a few years now, I often pay reduced prices but again, this can vary.

My guinea pigs aren't insured but that's only because I had four at one point. I do however have my own 'vet account' which I put money in to each month especially as both my girls have ongoing health issues.

 

[Rosanna Kapur]

Thanks guy. I'll give my vet a ring to check the price then. I just want to get a feel of the vets practice to make sure I'm happy with it in case they do need treatment later in their little life's. I'm going to look into getting them insured tonight! Last time I had Guinea pigs I was only 15 and I remember my vet bill coming to about £300. Luckly, my family has always been a big believer that all pets, no matter how small are part of the family and helped me cover it. Fingers crossed I won't ever need to make a claim but better safe than sorry. I only have the 2 piggies so I think insurance is going to be the best option for me.
Again, thank you for the advice and help