URI scare

[alerz]

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven't been as active these past few weeks. Things have gotten very hectic for me as the semester is winding down, but I've still been lurking around to try and keep myself updated.

Anyway, about a month ago, Babyman (Willie) coughed a few times during floor time, which at first I thought was probably due to him eating something he shouldn't have (e.g., he loves threads). Well, I soon started to notice that the coughing became daily, usually in the mornings and evenings when it was meal time and after wheeking for a bit. I definitely became concerned, especially after reading more about URIs on guinealynx.com and noticing that Babyman's eyes were a little crusted from time to time and watery (although his eyes had been watery since I got him). So, I finally decided to bring him to the vet a few days ago.

The unfortunate thing is that I cannot seem to find a good quality "exotics/small animal" vet in this area, so I decided to stick with the same place I've brought my boys since I've had them. I was happy to hear I would be seeing the small animal "expert," but not so happy once the appointment began. He started out by telling me that guinea pigs need a lot of vitamin C. I politely told him that I was aware of this fact and that I make sure to give them enough vitamin C-rich vegetables/oranges throughout the week. He responded with something along these lines: "Well, in order to get the proper amounts, you would have to feed a LOT, so I would recommend some drops to put in their water, or better yet, a powder to mix with water to give by mouth." He later stated that he believes there's "some type of pepper" which has high vitamin C content, but again, the amount given would have to be very high. He mentioned that pellets have enough vitamin C in them as well, but the shelf life is very short.

My point in posting this is that I am happier with this new vet I saw this time around because at least he seems to have a basic knowledge of guinea pigs, realizing that vitamin C levels are important. However, there's still a lack of knowledge there and to claim one's self to be an "expert" with only a basic level of knowledge is just not fair. I know I'm being a little picky here, but I guess it's just my aggravation showing through since I can't seem to find a true guinea pig expert around here and it worries me to know that if Babyman (or Dudley) was seriously sick at one point in the future, I would feel as though there was no hope. I can't exactly trust the vets around here.

To let you all know what happened though, he told us (my boyfriend and I) that Babyman did not seem to have breathing trouble and although his eyes were "weepy," based on our comments about the coughing (my boyfriend and I disagree on the level of concern the coughing warrants, with me being more worried), that his condition is not so bad. He prescribed antibiotics (Baytril) and gave Babyman a vitamin C injection. He told us that if it is in fact a URI, that his condition should improve dramatically within the next few days. The good news is that I have not heard him cough since the visit and he seems to be doing fine!

I guess I just needed to post this in a way to vent about my vet issues. Again, this vet seems to be much more knowledgeable than the last one, so I'm happy with this much. I'll keep you all posted as to his condition, which I hope continues to improve.

[Wheek Weak]

Boy, I sure can relate to your concern about so-called guinea pig ("exotics") expert vets. We have been to so many that knew less than we do about cavies and ratties. That is not bragging...it's actually very depressing that a bare-foot hillbilly like me could know more about the basic, everyday care of a critter than a very high-paid professional knows.

I am not putting down vets. I wouldn't want their job. It has to be extremely difficult to know about any animal without that animal being able to tell you where it hurts, what the problem is, etc.

It's just that I have become so tired of hearing exotics "experts" tell us to feed an anorexic guinea pig, and/or rattie, baby food (we know better and syringe feed Critical Care and Pedialyte instead), give them Baytril (even though they are not eating on their own to begin with, and Baytril usually causes appetite loss), put vitamin C in their water bottle, feed them only pellets (with no knowledge of the veggies they require), and look as if you just came from Mars when you tell them about the necessity of hay 24/7.

When our Ruby had surgery, the vet kept telling us to feed her baby food. She was very insistant about how important that was. Fortunately, we knew better...and syringe-fed her Critical Care and Pedialyte. She recovered so extremely fast that even the vet was absolutely in awe. We knew what she needed thanks to keeping up, in advance, with the requirements of ill and recuperating cavies.

My only problem with vets (specifically the ones that refer to themselves as "exotics experts"), is that they don't bother to learn even the most basic elements of guinea pig care. But, I understand why they don't. Because guinea pigs, ratties, hamsters, and mice are throw-away pets. They are toys bought at pet stores and gotten rid of, given away, buried when dead, etc.

They are not, as a rule, taken to a vet for treatment because they're cheap, replaceable, or a relief when they are gone because they were an unwanted burden to begin with. I remember reading about a vet who called himself Dr. Death because most of the people who brought guinea pigs to him was for euthanasia.

It's not that vets don't care about guinea pigs...they just don't get a chance to have much experience with treating them because people like us, who take their care seriously, are few and far between.

We're pulling for you, Babyman! Best wishes for your recovery and improvement little guy!! Get better

[alerz]

I never thought about that fact - that guinea pigs and other small animals may be looked upon as dispensable, so that's why many vets don't expect owners to bring pigs in when they're sick, let alone opt for treatment when they can "just go out and buy new ones." That's eye-opening yet so disgusting.

I really do have a lot of respect for vets, especially since I originally sought to become one and worked as a technician at an animal hospital for a few summers. It's difficult to understand the anatomy and physiology of one species, let alone 2 or 3 or 4 or 5...but again, like you mention, Wheek Weak, it's the fact that some vets label themselves as experts. Like my boyfriend said, of course they will tell you they are experts so that they can charge you an extra "exotics" fee and lure you in. They wouldn't dare tell you they have a low starting knowledge of the treatment of small animals and that they actually look up most of the information online before the appointments! I wish they would come across this site and guinealynx.com at least.