Oakville/Mississauga Vets?

[TheHermit]

Ordered a CN from FTC, should be here tomorrow, and I'm already thinking about new additions to my rat family :roll:
Also, I really, REALLY miss having boys!
I know there are some on the forum who are in Toronto or the GTA - do you know of a vet in Oakville or Mississauga that is experienced with rats? Specifically neutering and spaying, but for the long run too. My local vet back home had ZERO experience and every trip I felt like I was doing something wrong. Never want to feel like that again at a vet office - shouldn't feel like that at any professional medical office anyway. I haven't had a reason to call around just yet (almost did) but I'd like to have a name or number written down somewhere in case something happens.
OR in case I do get a stud, or two.
on that note, my mother always taught me it was rude to discuss money with strangers, but,
How much does neutering and spaying cost in the GTA/Oakville/Mississauga offices? I'd hope the more experienced vets wouldn't price it so high (I googled and one woman said it cost $350 in her area! I've never gotten an animal fixed on my own and that seems absurd!), but I'm willing to do what it takes to ensure a happy, healthy mischief.

Edit: I have done some research but I'm looking for voices of experience. I would love to have it confirmed that there is a good vet in my area, and that I don't have to travel into Toronto - I'd have to take the train and then buses and I don't want to put my babies through that. I have pinned down "Southdown Animal Clinic" as the only one so far that actually lists 'Rats' as patients.

 

[hopefloats]

I dont blame you for wanting others opinions. I went on a good writes up on vet and well let's say it is a horrible ordeal
Hopefully someone can answer you soon or point you in the right direction.

I know with dogs it is that much for a spay here and for my rats it rats from 60-209. for neuters and spays.

 

[victoria]

Ordered a CN from FTC, should be here tomorrow, and I'm already thinking about new additions to my rat family :roll:
Also, I really, REALLY miss having boys!
I know there are some on the forum who are in Toronto or the GTA - do you know of a vet in Oakville or Mississauga that is experienced with rats? Specifically neutering and spaying, but for the long run too. My local vet back home had ZERO experience and every trip I felt like I was doing something wrong. Never want to feel like that again at a vet office - shouldn't feel like that at any professional medical office anyway. I haven't had a reason to call around just yet (almost did) but I'd like to have a name or number written down somewhere in case something happens.
OR in case I do get a stud, or two.
on that note, my mother always taught me it was rude to discuss money with strangers, but,
How much does neutering and spaying cost in the GTA/Oakville/Mississauga offices? I'd hope the more experienced vets wouldn't price it so high (I googled and one woman said it cost $350 in her area! I've never gotten an animal fixed on my own and that seems absurd!), but I'm willing to do what it takes to ensure a happy, healthy mischief.

Edit: I have done some research but I'm looking for voices of experience. I would love to have it confirmed that there is a good vet in my area, and that I don't have to travel into Toronto - I'd have to take the train and then buses and I don't want to put my babies through that. I have pinned down "Southdown Animal Clinic" as the only one so far that actually lists 'Rats' as patients.

Dr. Munn at the Greenwood Park Animal Hospital is the absolute best in the area, but that may be too far for you. There's a thread about him in the Vet Listings section of the forum, or you can look him up at www.drmunn.ca. (I know from personal experience and many people here would agree, he is the absolute best and is reasonable priced.)

That being said, $350 isn't absurd for a spay, you can usually find a vet that will neuter rats for about $200. There is a lot of variation as well, so you may find it cheaper, but I know I was quoted much more by a vet in Toronto before I found Dr. Munn. You have to keep in mind that the price is not related to the size or lifespan of the animal, and 30 minutes of OR time for a rat isn't much cheaper than that for a cat. If it's too cheap, I always wonder if they're subsidizing it (some vets do to encourage spaying and neutering, although it's not as commonly done with rats) or if they're taking short cuts somewhere.

When you're looking for a vet, beyond the usual experience questions, you'll want to find out if they require an exam before booking a surgery - I know my current vet does and it adds almost $70 to the price of a spay or neuter since I usually don't have to take them in before that. Some vets will book a surgery and do an exam that day but only charge you for the exam if the animal is not well enough to go ahead with surgery.

 

[TheHermit]

I know he's spoken of frequently on this forum, but I figured he'd be much too far to take transit to, and paying for a taxi there and back on top of the vet costs... I'll just have to figure out how much that might be and go from there, because Lilly's nose started running again since I originally posted

 

[victoria]

If you can take transit there, do it. Cab fare will be ridiculous, it would cost you more than the visit. You would need to get to Donlands and take the 83 Jones bus from there.

 

[TheHermit]

I know, but it's an hour and a half trip! That, and it's cold, and I don't have a proper carrier so I'd have to clean both cages tomorrow, switch the girls, put the wee ones in the closet so when they get through the bars they don't disappear on me, load her into a deluxe hamster and try to cover it with fleece or something...

Oh yeah so in the last two hours Lilly has started wheezing a little bit and is breathing a little harder than is normal. I cleaned her cage thoroughly and even threw out some items (a tent, specifically), and in the process removed her favourite sleeping/eating spot to be washed tomorrow. I want to go to the vet tomorrow but transit is so long and I work at 5 so I might just go to Southdown since it's a URI and not a tumor or abscess or spay or something. I don't know. I feel lost.

I think I need help.

edited because I needed to elaborate.