Need Vet Help!

[RKbusy]

So I've been wanting and planning to get Sammy spayed. My usual vet charges $285 + tax. He says that he's done very few rat spays before, but is fairly confident. He spays rabbit all the time (not that that reassures me...)

lilangel recommended that I go to Hull Veterinary Clinic which will charge me $118 + tax for the spay. The vet there says he has never spayed a rat before, but he HAS often done surgery on rats (neutering and tumor removal and stuff). He also mentioned having spayed many rabbits. (WTF?!) The vet at Hull Veterinary Clinic though, definitely sounds more enthusiastic about spaying a rat, whereas my usual vet was kinda just like... meh.

So what should I do?! Should I go to the vet at Hull Vet Clinic? Or stick with my usual vet?!

Also, the earliest I could get Sammy in for an appointment at my usual vet would be this Wednesday. The earliest at Hull would be June 16th.

Another option that the receptionist at Hull Veterinary Clinic suggested was going to Hôpital Vétérinaire Taché (apparently they specialize in Exotics.) I called them, and while the single review I found online suggested they were nice people (and the receptionist was VERY nice too!), they again said they have done neuters before, but wasn't sure if the vet had ever done spays on rats. (They didn't mention spaying rabbits!). I'm still waiting for them to call me back about their surgery methods and details and stuff.

:gaah:

I know that I want to save money, yet I also want to do the right thing for Sammy.

And right now, I just really don't know what to do!

 

[jorats]

The fact that they have done many rabbit spays is reassuring. This means they know how to work with smaller bits. A spay is a spay no matter the animal.
I would probably go with the one that seems excited about doing it. This means they are taking this opportunity to learn which is something every vet should do.

 

[Marylou Mader]

More than anything, make sure the Vet feels confident with anesthesia.

Anatomy is anatomy, but the anesthesia is a breed/species specific issue...

 

[SQ]

Also:
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=9640

 

[lilangel]

you can also try giving a call to http://www.crownpointeanimalhospital.com/ i herd great things from there Dr.anger i think is the one who works with rodents.

 

[RKbusy]

Thanks for all the info everyone!

Right now I have an appointment scheduled for the 16th of June with Hull Veterinary Clinic.

But I will give Crown Point animal hospital a call tomorrow morning... see what they say and if their vet has done spays before. It will unfortunately be a really really really long bus ride if I do end up going there.

Either way, I will call, and if the vet has done spays before and seems to be doing them right, I'll cancel my other appointment and go to Crown Point instead.



Thanks again lilangel. And I'm sorry I still haven't taken Splinter. >.<

 

[lilangel]

NP at all I do know at Crown point it is about $60 a check up too but not sure how much is spays but the sound of the check up it sound costly but if they have done spays before it would be a great thing.

 

[RKbusy]

Just called! And yes, Crowne Point! They HAVE done spays before!

And even the receptionist seemed REALLY REALLY well informed. She was telling me how the most dangerous part of surgery on rats was the anesthetic... and they use the gas. And that they mostly have successful spays, etc.

But here's the bummer... they require at least one check-up first (which makes sense, and Hull was asking that I do the same thing), which is $60-ish and the spay itself will be $289-ish.

That'll practically be my monthly rent.

So if I go there, which I probably should... I will need to be saving up for a LOT longer... (I'm not even going to think about the taxi fare right now.

 

[Bamboo]

I've been calling around asking questions and pricing spays too. I was told by 2 places that Lynwood Animal Hospital is supposed to be good, but I haven't had a chance to call them yet. I called Kanata Animal Hospital and they do them and if I recall correctly, it's about $200 per spay. I don't know if that helps, but I've been thinking about going there since it'll be easier for me to get out to Hazeldean Road the Hull. They don't do them often but like you said about the Hull clinic, they seemed very confident and the receptionist was very friendly.

 

[victoria]

RKbusy, if you've taken your girl to another vet before, ask if you can simply have the file transferred over. If the two vets know or know of each other, they may allow it.

 

[RKbusy]

@victoria

Yeah... I thought of that. And they mentioned that, yes, my file from my previous vet CAN be transferred over, but that would just save me the cost of opening a file at Crowne Point (it's only about $15 to open a file). They would apparently still require a checkup.

I'm trying to get a chance to speak with both vets in person. I'll probably be chatting with the Hull vet on the 14th... haven't managed to get through to the Crowne Point vet yet.

To be honest... I'm still being torn between Hull and Crowne Point... just because Hull is so much cheaper. But if after speaking in person with the vet at Hull, he seems not-so-sure... I'll just have to give in and pay the $350+ for Crowne Point.

 

[lilangel]

I always wondered too how do they get started in doing there first "spay" on a rat? Im guessing research a lot of it, first maybe ask if he has done a lot of research for it first? Because to me every one starts somewhere but im not sure how they start it up. Maybe a good question for others who helped their vet become familiar with spays?

If i ever get a spay done we will most likely go to Hull vet but this is in time when i only have my own ratties unless i really need a rescue spayed(ie illness)

I also herd Hôpital Vétérinaire Taché http://www.infovet.ca/vettache/showClin ... emId=2457& does exotics(rats are still considered that >.<) they also require to open a file though(never did like that) $10 i think it is. A friend went there with there dog is how i know the open file thing. But not sure how good they are or what they know but might be worth the call.

(sorry for all the Hull ones its the most i know living here lol)

 

[Bamboo]

I would assume they start big and gradually work their way down. You know, like first do dog spays and then cat spays then rabbits and then finally rats. Because technically a spay is a spay but with rats, since they're so small that's probably a big part of what makes it so hard. I wouldn't be too uncomfortable if a vet without much experience did it, as long as I know that they've done their research, are willing to learn and are open about their experience level, since like you said everybody has to start somewhere. I'd have to really get to know them though, and ask a lot of questions before I would be really comfortable.

On that note, I spoke with the vet at Richmond Animal Hospital. He said he hasn't technically done a rat spay before; he's done a rat and guinea pig c-sections, but never spays. He was very upfront and he seems very nice and honest. I believe it was $250 per spay.

 

[RKbusy]

I heard Tache was good too!

But I spoke to the vet who would be doing the spays, and she kept saying there was no point in spaying female rats because the risk was so much higher. Plus she says she's never done a spay before and doesn't want to. She kept telling me I should just get my male neutered instead.

-__-

That made me not like her, almost right away. So no... I'm not considering Tache.

Gonna have to look into Richmond now too. *sigh*

Thanks for the info though Bamboo! It's never too much research!

 

[lilangel]

oh wow not good yeah.

With Liston hes always telling me how removing tumors does not help as they almost always come back.

 

[Bamboo]

No problem! Between the 3 of us we should be able to get through all the vets in the city lol. The guy at Richmond, I sent an email but then I called. He told me the same thing both times. Here's the email he sent me this afternoon:

Hello,

I do not do pocket pets routinely. However, I have done a cesarian section on a rat and a guinea pig. So, I certainly can do a rat spay which is technically straightforward. I am always very up front with my experience so that you can decide for yourself whether or not you would like someone with more experience. If you were looking for the best person in Ottawa, I would suggest is Dr Auger in Ottawa East. I think his clinic name is Centrepointe Animal Hospital on Trim Road. Otherwise, if you are fine with me helping you, I am happy to do so.
Cost........ Is this a young rat? If so, I would estimate the examination and surgery at $250.

Hope this helps. If there are any further questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Regards,

Robert Turmel, DVM

And I did let him know that Dr. Auger is actually at Crown Pointe now. The other place that several vets recommended I go to is Lynwood Animal Hospital. I will hopefully call them tomorrow (I called today, but I guess it was after hours so I didn't talk to anybody) and I'll fill everyone in then.

The other one that I'm seriously considering is the Kanata Animal Hospital. I was told they have a vet who is experienced with rats, even though she doesn't get them often. I believe it was $200 per spay, which is a little more expensive the Hull but I think for the trouble it would be for me to get out there, I may just have to deal with the more expensive Ottawa prices.

 

[Bamboo]

This is the email response I got from the Kanata Animal Hospital:

Hello,

In response to your email, we do have one doctor on staff that treats rats. The exam would be $49.00, a neuter will run you around $120 and a spay would be around $180. As far as discounts are concerned there is a 10% discount on three or more rats being spayed or neuter on the same day. I hope this helps

Stephanie RVT

So I will definitely be going there for the spays and possible neuter. It's a little more expensive then Hull but for the extra effort it would take to get out there, I think it's worth it. I'll take them all in for an exam and the girls will be spayed (Woo! I love discounts!) If Bisu needs surgery for his lump, he will also be neutered. I held off the exam until I had everybody, but since I'll be leaving to get then "extra" girls in an hour or 2, I figured it would be easier to get everybody looked at all at once.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I sent the email the day before I called, which was almost a week and a half to go. So, if you want your info fast I would definitely recommend calling lol. They told me the same thing each time, and when I called the receptionist was very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic.

 

[Moon]

Very decent pricing. Congrats!

 

[jorats]

Lucky!!!!

 

[ChrisK]

Sounds like a great find! Can you keep us posted on your experience at Kanata Animal Hospital? or pm me?

I'm in the Ottawa area too, and am always interested to learn of good and affordable alternatives for rattie Vets. Let us know how it goes and if in the end, you would recommend them..

All the very best to you and your ratties!!