Vet in Hamilton, ON?

[leescait]

Hi guys,

I just moved to Hamilton and have a little rat who just finished an antibiotics course for myco, and still isn't well. I don't want to put her through the hour long drive to Dr. Munn if I don't have to. Does anyone know of anyone in the Hamilton area, or at least closer?

Thanks!

 

[crumbilina]

I'm moving to Hamilton in a couple days too!
I decided that I am going to keep my rats at their current vet even though it is about an hours drive from my new home in Hamilton. I have been looking for a good cat vet though, and am really having trouble.

If you are able to and have transportation to Dr. Munn, I would just keep taking them there.

Happy vet hunting!

 

[Cigar]

When I lived in Caledonia and at my step brother's in Hamilton I always took my kids to Dr. Rick Keir at Gagemount Animal Hospital on Mohawk. He's very gentle, intelligent, and open to suggestions.

 

[leescait]

Urgh, so I wound up taking my little rat baby to the Downtown Animal Hospital - apparently it is the same doc for most of the city of Hamilton. He was open to suggestions, but he also didn't even touch my rat or seem to know much about the medications. The appointment took more than an hour and he just . . . well, he wasn't Dr. Munn.

The nice thing was that he said the mycoplasma infection, at this point, will likely be chronic, so when it reoccurs next I can just call for the meds and pick them up. If I have to do an actual visit again, it will likely be at Gagemount.

 

[Cigar]

I truly recommend Gagemount. Dr Keir will be happy to handle your rats, he always liked that my kids were sociable. He might not be a Dr Munn but he has my vote. I called [literally] every vet in the Hamilton, Ancaster, and Stoney Creek area to make a final decision. I'm sorry you had such a crap experience downtown. :/

 

[crumbilina]

This is GREAT to know since I just moved to Hamilton and I will most likely need a vet at some point. I will definitly consider Gagemount as a backup in case I can't get to Kitchener.

Thanks Cigar!

Sorry to hear about the downtown vet though. I hate experiences like that... they are SO frustrating!!

 

[leescait]

I just wanted to update this thread. I recently took my rat to Dr. Keir at Gagemount and had a GREAT experience with him.

Not only was his consultation $25 cheaper than Downtown Animal Hospital, he actually took the time to play with my rat, examine her VERY thoroughly, and even reassured me that when it came time for one of my rats to be euthanised (who I can't pick up - he was traumatised and will let me pet him, but not pick him up) that he would give me a sedative for him so that I could get him to the office without terrifying him.

I was really impressed with the way he took care of my Wigglet, especially because she came in with multiple problems.

I HIGHLY recommend him. I am so grateful I found him.

 

[crumbilina]

I just wanted to update this thread. I recently took my rat to Dr. Keir at Gagemount and had a GREAT experience with him.

Not only was his consultation $25 cheaper than Downtown Animal Hospital, he actually took the time to play with my rat, examine her VERY thoroughly, and even reassured me that when it came time for one of my rats to be euthanised (who I can't pick up - he was traumatised and will let me pet him, but not pick him up) that he would give me a sedative for him so that I could get him to the office without terrifying him.

I was really impressed with the way he took care of my Wigglet, especially because she came in with multiple problems.

I HIGHLY recommend him. I am so grateful I found him.

Be careful.
I went to him an although I LOVED how he treated my girl he did not label the concentration of the medication AND the dosages were VERY wrong. As a result... treatment did not go... well.
When you accept medication from him, make sure that you ask for the concentration to be written on the bottle and make sure you go to the clinic with the correct dosage information of the medication that you think you will need.
I use this one when I go into the vet: http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm
Or there is one on rat guide.

 

[victoria]

I just wanted to update this thread. I recently took my rat to Dr. Keir at Gagemount and had a GREAT experience with him.

Not only was his consultation $25 cheaper than Downtown Animal Hospital, he actually took the time to play with my rat, examine her VERY thoroughly, and even reassured me that when it came time for one of my rats to be euthanised (who I can't pick up - he was traumatised and will let me pet him, but not pick him up) that he would give me a sedative for him so that I could get him to the office without terrifying him.

I was really impressed with the way he took care of my Wigglet, especially because she came in with multiple problems.

I HIGHLY recommend him. I am so grateful I found him.

Be careful.
I went to him an although I LOVED how he treated my girl he did not label the concentration of the medication AND the dosages were VERY wrong. As a result... treatment did not go... well.
When you accept medication from him, make sure that you ask for the concentration to be written on the bottle and make sure you go to the clinic with the correct dosage information of the medication that you think you will need.
I use this one when I go into the vet: http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm
Or there is one on rat guide.

Also make sure you ask about expiry dates and storage requirements.