What should I think about before I see the vet?

[Virvelus]

I have two guinea pigs both female about 2-3 years old. I adopted them about a month ago. Now Pixie started to sneeze so I booked a time to see the vet. I have never been to the vet before so I wonder if its somthing I need to think about before I go. I found a vet that at least claimed that they are speciliced in small animals including guinea pigs . But when I´m there is there somting I should look for that tells me that the vet is reabile? And should I take Pim-Pim to the vet just in case?

[Wheek Weak]

You are very wise to be concerned about your piggies, even though the vet claims to be a specialist.

We've also been to so-called exotics specialists and (unfortunately) knew more than they did about rats and guinea pigs.

Here are a couple of links to medication references so you can make sure the vet is not giving you a toxic med: Dangerous Medications
Medications Overview

We've also been given fatal advice concerning handfeeding. Here is a link for proper handfeeding procedures: Handfeeding

It probably wouldn't hurt to take Pim-Pim also. Just in case whatever is causing Pixie's sneezing is contagious.

Another thing I keep an eye out for when dealing with a new vet is, do they treat my guinea pig like he/she is a dog or cat? I've noticed that a lot of vets are so used to treating dogs and cats that they are on auto-pilot and automatically treat guinea pigs the same way.

Good luck with your little girls. Let us know how the vet visit went, and how Pixie and Pim-Pim are doing.

[cavyinhawaii]

I did like one thing that my vet did at our first visit. He took an oral syringe and rinsed out flashes mouth. He wanted to get a good look at his teeth. He said if you don't rinse out their mouth its like looking into pea soup because piggies always have something in their mouths they are chewing on. He did most of his checking with flash sitting on the table.I have heard awful stories of vets holding pigs dangerously. He let him sit their while he sat down at eye level(to flash) to check his mouth and heart etc. He did carefully pick him up and look him over. I then found out he owns a pig himself. He gave me spacific instructions as to food in hawaii.The vet should make it a point to mention your pig needs vitamin c. I got quite a talk, but I really appreciated it.