Chinchilla vet listing/experiences

[alli713]

Post the vet you go to and state where it is. Or post which vet you've been to that you wouldn't recommend.
Perhaps at some point this can be combined into a more cohesive sticky. But figured to start one to get people's experiences for now.

In Duluth, MN
I went to the Airport Animal Hospital on Haines Road
Iwent for an eye infection. I Would not recommend this vet location. They stated they knew chins but in fact gave me eye meds with steriods in them, and then refused to give me eye drops when I asked for them (instead insisted that I needed the ointment with the steroids).

 

[eroomlorac]

This is the exotic vet I use. They are very good with exotics. This is in Illinois.


http://www.midwestexotichospital.com/

 

[UHgurl5621]

Post the vet you go to and state where it is. Or post which vet you've been to that you wouldn't recommend.
Perhaps at some point this can be combined into a more cohesive sticky. But figured to start one to get people's experiences for now.

In Duluth, MN
I went to the Airport Animal Hospital on Haines Road
Iwent for an eye infection. I Would not recommend this vet location. They stated they knew chins but in fact gave me eye meds with steriods in them, and then refused to give me eye drops when I asked for them (instead insisted that I needed the ointment with the steroids).

Hi Alli...quick question, why are the drops with steroids bad for chins? Thanks!

 

[alli713]

Hi Alli...quick question, why are the drops with steroids bad for chins? Thanks!

I believe that with chinchillas, because of the way that their GI tract is set up the steroids can cause bad side effects like gastric ulcers, immune suppression and diabetes. This is what I can gather from the threads that were on CnQ.

In the case of eye meds with steroids, there is a high likelyhood that the chin will try to groom the ointment off. Which they will then ingest. And ofcourse the steriods can also work their way into the body in general as well.

 

[UHgurl5621]

Good to know! Thank you!

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

As many of you already know, I am fortunate to live less than a mile from Alameda East Veterinary Hospital, which was featured on Animal Planet's TV series "Emergency Vets".

My primary doctor is the world-renowned exotic specialist, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald. There is also another vet who has chinchilla experience and has seen all of my chins when Dr. Fitzgerald has not been available. Her name is Bobbi Hafer. I recommend both of them to anyone in the Denver area.

VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital
9770 E. Alameda Ave.
Denver, CO 80247
(303) 366-2639

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=alameda+east+denver+co&aq=3&oq=alameda+eas

 

[jk_chinchilla]

In St. Louis, MO I recommend:

Creve Coeur Animal Hospital, Creve Coeur, MO
http://www.crevecoeurvets.com/
*The Moritz's specialize in rabbit and rodent dentistry*

and

Legends Animal Hospital - Eureka, MO
http://www.legendsvet.com/
*Dr. Heist specializes in Birds but is also quite knowledgeable in small animals and exotics. She is also very down to earth and doesn't sugar coat what is going on with your pet, which I appreciate*

and please, DO NOT SEE Dr. Pernikoff at the Clarkson-Wilson Veterinary Clinic in Chesterfield MO. We took a chinchilla to him, he kept him in his clinic for 4 days. When the chinchilla died he didn't even bother to call us and let us know until we called in later in the day to check on him. I suspect that if we had known then what we know now and had hand fed him at home that he might still be with us.

 

[CerLynn]

For central MA, I would definitely recommend Tufts... admittedly, it certainly isn't cheap there, but the care has been great.

Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University
200 Westboro Road
North Grafton, MA 01536
Phone: 508-839-5395
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/sah/

 

[hannamumman]

Neel Veterinary Hospital
Oklahoma City, OK

24 hr vet clinic

Dr. Rachel Reeves

 

[Gizmo24]

Hi there.
I would Recommend Dr. Joy Lucas. from Upstate Animal Medical Center in Saratoga springs, NY. She's been wonderful with my gizmo. One of the most recommended exotic vets in my area.

 

[ABBY W.]

I am in Fredericksburg, VA. I would recommend Hartwood Animal Hospital in Fredericksburg. In Northern Virginia, we have Stahl Exotics Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Stahl and Dr. Crum are amazing! There is also Eastern Exotic Veterinary clinic in Fairfax. They are excellent for emergency after hours visits.

This might be easier for people to reference in the future if we organize it by state.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

in NJ I would recommend Dr. Janice Goode Banfield Pet Hosp/Deptfort Petsmart/2000 Clements Bridge Rd/Woodbury NJ phone 856-384-1800

would not recommend Lawrence An. Hops./Princeton NJ where Dr. Goode used to work even though they say they still have someone who 'knows' exotics (they DON'T)

 

[Essentia]

In North Florida/South Georgia I would recommend Dr. Hart at Hidden Hills Animal Hospital, in Jacksonville, FL. He is fantastic. Very knowledgeable, fantastic bed side manner, and doesn't charge an arm and a leg.

 

[Peep_erz]

In turlock, CA I recommend Dr. Brandon Barrett at Community Vet Clinic. He actually knew what I was asking about and use to have chins himself until they passed in their late teens. The only down fall is that he has very limited hours.