Vet How many vet visits in a lifetime?

[piggyluv]

I was just curious as to how many times, on average, a guinea pig would go to the vet in a lifetime. Not for check ups, for for things that require vet attention (URI, bumblefoot, etc.) A rough estimate is fine, or how many times your pigs (or past pigs) have gone. I am trying to save up money for the vet, because money is quite tight now and want to know about how often I would need to go. Thanks in advance!

 

[guineapigluver1]

I don't think there is any estimate. They could go ten times in a lifetime or they could require no vet visits in a lifetime.

 

[hueyeats]

Hey a good thread to start keeping tabs on vet visits. I have my gals for 7 weeks now and they have all their vet "wellness" checks already since 1st week.

So... 1 time for my gals so far.

 

[hueyeats]

If your money is tight, could you volunteer your services (free); like help out with grooming / trimming nails or some other things with your vet so they give you a discount / free vet visits sans the expenses like meds? I dunno if it is a good idea but my husband's uncle have told me that is how some still do it in the very rural areas among the poor; or at least in the old days, that was an acceptable exchange.

 

[guineapigluver1]

If it was an emergency and you didn't quite have the money I know of someone who did a post about places that help you with vet bills, but I'll have to dig it up.

Edit: Here they are
In Memory of Magic (IMOM) is dedicated to insuring that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.
IMOM.org Helping People Help Pets
IMOM, Inc
PO Box 282
Cheltenham, MD 20623
Phone (866)-230-2164 Fax (301)-599-1852

United Animal Nations established the LifeLine fund in 1997 to aid companion animals in times of life-threatening emergencies when their caregivers, with low or no incomes, are unable to afford the entire cost of treatment.
http://uan.org/lifeline
United Animal Nations
P.O. Box 188890
Sacramento, California 95818
Telephone: (916) 429 2457 fax: (916) 429 2456

Help-A-Pet is a nonprofit organization, which provides financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose guardians are unable to afford the expense
Help A Pet
Help-A-Pet
P. O. Box 244
Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
Telephone: (630) 986-9504 fax: (630) 986-9141

HandicappedPets.com
Handicapped Pets - For Elderly, Disabled, Special Needs, and Injured Pets - Products, Services, and Support
"From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford."

American Animal Hospital Association
AAHA Helping Pets
"The heartbreak happens all too often, a pet owner is unable to
afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the
cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook.
Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job
layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."

Angels 4 Animals
http://www.Angels4Animals.org
"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner
Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian
angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult
financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need."

Care Credit
CareCredit Patient Financing Payment Plans for LASIK, cosmetic procedures, dental, hearing care, vet procedure financing and more.
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.
"CareCredit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more
than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget."

The Pet Fund
The Pet Fund
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that
provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer
needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost."

UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills
Pet Lovers on Line Index
"Most of us can cope with the financial commitment involved in the
day to day care of our pets. However, how many of us come out in a
cold sweat when our pet is ill or injured and we know we have to take it to the vet? Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford it but, some of us who love our animals dearly cannot. Unfortunately we do not have a PDSA or a RSPCA Centre within our area, but there are a few charities who may be able to help."


There were a lot more but they were specifically for cats or dogs or disease or breed specific.

 

[piggyluv]

I have some money saved for emergency vet visits, I made sure I had some for the case of an emergency. Thank you for the concern though. I wanted to see how many so I could be ready and start saving some in advance. My vet is quite expensive ($75 per check up) but they're very good and experienced.

EDIT: Oh I just saw your post! Silly me. Thanks so much for the help, you're very kind.

 

[PiggieMamaKelly]

I've had a pig live until age 6 with only one visit. Then I've had others with too many to count. It's impossible to know but I think it's a good idea to have about three hundred in your vet fund, then you can replace it as needed.

 

[chris_w]

my piggies are approx 3 year old and they have only been to the vet once, and thats to get their toe nails cut.

 

[BubuCandyBlue]

I had my 1st piggies for 7 years and he had just 1 serious visit to the vet (he had ringworm or something), the rest were just for annual routine check ups.

 

[Haley0489]

All three of my pigs went to the vet when I first got them for lice and one had an abscess.
Then I took two of them for possible URI's.
Then another pig had an abscess.
Then Milo had reoccurring URI symptoms that required about 3 trips back and forth before we finally settled on him having a heart problem and not a URI.
And I just took Milo Saturday for a suspected abscess, but it turned out to be nothing.

That's just my experience with pigs. My vet is also my uncle, so my visits are free or really cheap. If I had to use a non-relative I probably wouldn't scurry off at the first symptom. I'm a bit of a worry wart.

 

[crazychic]

This was a great thread idea! I have two pigs, both of which are 2 1/2 yrs old. Skittles has been to the vet about 7-8 times (i know, a lot). Skippie has gone only once other than routine exams.