Guinea pig specialist vet in Bristol?

[PurpleDaisies]

We're about to move house, and the purple squeakers are going to need a new vet in Bristol (ideally in the south but happy to travel for the right practice). Mr Pig is currently having dental treatment to file a persistent spur that keeps regrowing every three weeks so we definitely want someone who knows what they're doing with piggy teeth.

Can anyone recommend someone?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Can your PigVet recommend someone? There will be papers written by various vets in their Professional Journals (The Cavy equivelant of The Lancet ) There will be names that come up regularly on the Guinea-Pig subjects.

Or, track down some local Rescues in bristol area and ask which vets they use?

They won't mind giving you another vets name because its not as though you're taking your custom elsewhere in your home town.

[PurpleDaisies]

Thanks 70 I reckon Mr Pig has one more teeth file before we go so I'll ask the vet then. Great idea to ask the local rescues too (although that might mean I end up with even more piggies...)

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Do your piggies approve of the housemove? They'll need to get used to new grass and new water.

And if you get more piggies they'll have a different accent so they won't understand each other

Of course your new house might be crying out for more piggies.................though you might be safer phoneing or emalling , not looking on their For Adoption pages

Our piggies have been little ratbags this week, DD was peed on by Bert (no warning) and Oreo (no warning).
Usually they get all dancey-dancey but not this time ......poor DD.

[Wheresthattomoibabber]

I really like Highcroft vets by the M32. Plenty of parking too. They are loving and knowledgeable with my 3 girls.

[PurpleDaisies]

They are getting a bigger garden that's much more kempt than ours (fewer dandelions) so good and bad points. They'll miss the little boy who comes to feed them while we're away (he calls me Mrs Guinea Pig!). There's definitely a bigger kitchen to run around on wet days.

In general I think they'll be happy.

Thanks for the tip about the vets near the M32. I'll have to get my map out and see if that's close to where we'll be. All I know in Bristol so far is the zoo and the aquarium!

[Wheresthattomoibabber]

Whereabouts roughly will you be? I can tell you how far. Bristol is utterly lovely btw, I hope you enjoy it.

[PurpleDaisies]

We're actually going to be in the Chew Valley so not quite Bristol itself. Our house is vaguely near the airport and a bit more rural than where we are at the moment.

[Wheresthattomoibabber]

That would be a looong way to go for a vet!

[PurpleDaisies]

Yes...I've confused the A38 (near) and the M32 (not so near!) so I think it might be a bit far. Saying that I'm currently travelling 45minutes to get to the specialist we use although I hear Bristol traffic is absolutely horrendous.

[Wheresthattomoibabber]

It's not always horrendous. You'll get to know the best routes and times. Just don't try to get into Bristol for 9am or leave at 5pm!

[PurpleDaisies]

thank you! We should be completing in the next couple of weeks (we really hope) and it's going to be great to get down there. It's three hours from where we currently live and we know precisely nobody so a big change. It'll be great to be a lot nearer to family though.

[Wheresthattomoibabber]

It's a friendly place! Lots to do in Bristol but suspect you won't want to come in that much as Chew Valley is lovely.

[Stillwaitingforthesummer2come]

Is the regular tooth filing traumatic? And is it expensive ?

[PurpleDaisies]

It is pretty expensive but it doesn't cause him any trouble. Basically we weigh him every day and make sure he's eating. As soon as he stops he's whisked off to to the vet for a light anaesthetic and we pick him up later. He's straight back in the food dish and whirring at his ladies in the evening. He's got a great quality of life in between so we're happy to keep paying while he's doing so well.

[FruitCider]

Animal health centre on glos road and companion care at pets at home (filton) are both excellent and treat Guinea pigs

[PurpleDaisies]

Thanks both! Really appreciate the recommendations.

[PurpleDaisies]

Here is the lovely Mr Pig during one of his regular weigh ins...

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Aww love MrPig....butter wouldn't melt

Mr Pig is a Himmy, his wives are tricolour.

My GP5 is a Himmy, her cagemates (GP6-boar, and GP4,GP7,GP8) are all tricolours.

Himmy Pigs are like rare little ruby eyed angels in the swirling dervish of hues that is the tri colour.

[PurpleDaisies]

Just a quick update-we've ended up at the veterinary hospital in Whitchurch which was recommended by our old vet who trained with their zoo specialist. They're the same group as yours whatsthat and have been really great so far. Mr pig was in for teeth filing yesterday and since he's probably going to be such a frequent customer they're doing it for a reduced cost. He's a bit quiet today but eating, weeing and pooing normally so I'm sure he'll be back to normal very shortly.

The chew valley is absolute gorgeous. I'm sort of getting to know my way around. I braved the city centre yesterday and made it home without the sat nav, although I was so proud of myself for not getting lost I missed the turning for the farm we're staying on and had to drive for ages to turn around. We get the keys to our house tomorrow so I'm hoping the piggies will like their permanent home...we've been in holiday cottages for around a month so it will be fantastic not to have to move every two weeks!

Thanks for all your advice.

[PurpleDaisies]

Apologies, I mean wheresthat. No coffee yet!