My ongoing quest to find a rat vet...

[Ali]

OK, so I called the new vets office today as agreed to arrange to go and pick up the doxy. It was the vet's day off (she hadn't mentioned that) and the meds haven't come in. We're off to a good start.....!  

However, I've been looking at the recommended vets list and see that the local rodent rescue has recommended a vet in Staines. It's considerably further from my other vets - about 30 mins OUTSIDE rush hour traffic. Unfortunately it involves driving along the M25 which is Britain's busiest road (often called the UKs biggest carpark!) where NON-rush hour is somewhere between 2 and 3 in the morning!! So quite a drive - not a problem in itself but I'd worry if I had to sit in traffic for an hour in an emergency.

Maybe I've been spoiled cos I know many of you in the States think an hour's drive is nothing!  

Anyway, they say nothing but great things about this vet and how much rat experience he's got - I've actually e-mailed the rescue to get some more info. I know they take in a lot of cruelty cases which require lots of medical treatment. Incidentally, the rescue centre is even further from this vet's than I am, so they must really rate him.

I'm thinking it's probably worth paying a visit. What d'you think?

[Suebee]

Maybe I've been spoiled cos I know many of you in the States think an hour's drive is nothing!  

Wellllll.... a hour to the vet is a tad far... though I'm one to talk... in rush hour, it takes me about 45 minutes to get to mine... half hour otherwise...

[jp]

I'm in the US.  I drive about 30 minutes to an hour to go to my rat vet.  It's worth it though.  I don't know what I would do without this vet.  She takes such wonderful care of my rats.  She's always willing to listen to my questions or suggestions.  She is always happy when I bring in info I've found online.  There is another vet at this animal hospital that I have as a back up too.  Do I wish they were closer to me...yes...but I'm not going to complain because they are that good!

I would go to this vet and at least check him out.  It may be worth the drive if he's that good.  If anything maybe you could go there just for surgeries or a serious illness.

[Dearpie]

I'd be inclined to call that vet and see if he/she has a recommendation of a vet closer to you?  It's a thought anyways ... otherwise, in an emergency, that distance could be the difference between life and death.  

[Ali]

Thanks for your speedy responses!

You're all right - it is quite far, and that could make a huge difference in an emergency (though fortunately most emergencies seem to happen at night <-- oops, is that tempting fate?!).

I guess it might be worth going along and checking it out though - particularly if my boys are going to be susceptible to myco flare-ups for the rest of their lives (which I imagine they will be, having had it at such a young age).  It might be good to have an experienced vet as regards meds etc (apparently he's also very open to suggestions and trying new drugs). At least I know that I'm on the books of a couple of other local vets if there's a dire emergency.

I'll wait and see what the rodent rescue have to say. I guess they have emergencies too, so hopefully they'll let me know what the travelling etc is like.

Or I'll just need to get myself a sports car.... all in the name of rats, you understand. He he !

[JulesDoug]

Oh Ali
What to do now?? I think that knowing you (a little bit) you won't rest until you have at least checked this vet out!! I think Dearpies right he may suggest someone nearer..I have to day my vet is half hour away but thats what happens when you live in the stix!! Let us know what you decide.
Does that mean the boys still don't have their meds
You must be getting really fed up by now.

[Yresim]

My normal vet is 10 minutes away in standard traffic, my backup vet is 15 minutes away in the same conditions.  

In a nighttime or weekend emergency, however, the closest place is 20 minutes away in light (evening/night) traffic, and the best place (the place that actually knows what they are doing when it comes to rats) is 40 minutes away.  

It depends on what the emergency is as to how far you can go.  In most cases, if you can get someone else to drive, you can keep the little fuzzballs going quite a while with some warmth (cuddling) and KMR.  Of course, that is not always an option.

[Kristen]

Not to brag but....there's a recommended vet about 5 mins from my house  . I've yet to check him out though...I hope he's all he's cracked up to be! Although if the nearest competent vet was a couple hours away, I'd go there. A bit of driving is a small price to pay for the rat's health.

[Ali]

The rescue centre e-mailed back suggesting I give him a go. I shouldn't have mentioned that the boys have been on baytril - they are very very anti baytril in young rats and, in their words, 'any vet that uses baytril in rats under six months should be reported, then shot'. Something else to worry about now..... my boys have been on it for 7 weeks out of  their 5 months!!

It's probably worth getting a Saturday morning appointment so we can go at our leisure and meet the vet whilst there's no dire emergency. It'll give me a better idea of timings too.

Oh why why why can't it be like getting a vet for your cat?!

[kmw]

I shouldn't have mentioned that the boys have been on baytril - they are very very anti baytril in young rats and, in their words, 'any vet that uses baytril in rats under six months should be reported, then shot'. Something else to worry about now..... my boys have been on it for 7 weeks out of  their 5 months!!

From other rat owners who've had young rats on baytril, I've yet to see any reports of stunted growth.  Since a rat's rapid growth phase is up to three months, and this is where the baytril/stunting problems have been observed in other species, I wouldn't worry too much.  Besides, a small healthy rat is much better than a large ill (or dead!) rat