vet dilemma

momenteller · Feb 28, 2010

I have a question (not sure if I'm posting in the right place). I've been researching local vets in case of chin emergency. The veterinary office in town that I take my dog to has a vet that "has seen chinchillas", but I'd like to find one more knowledgeable, if the need should arise. I found one about an half an hour from my house that appears to specialize in chinchillas. She has a chinchilla care sheet listed on her website (attached), and a few things on there concerning diet contradict what I've learned here. If I should need to take a chin to the vet, do I go to the guy in town that I'm not sure of his expertise, or one that has more experience but I might disagree with her advice/recommendations?

alli713 · Feb 28, 2010

Personally I'd pick the knowledgeable vet that you don't agree with the diet on. Not all vets are that great with diet. For instance, they'll suggest Science Diet for dogs and cats, which is really actually a crappy diet.

If you ever went to that one, you could always bring it up and try to educate them on the diet.

Parkerspetchins · Feb 28, 2010

I thought the care sheet was very thorough and had good information with the exception of the fruits and vegetables in the diet. She contradicts herself after the treat part by saying they cannot process sugar but give them fruit...but since you know better anyway just ignore that lol. I would bring my chinchilla to that vet over one who has seen a few chinchillas. You can always change after if your experience is not good.

Jazicat · Feb 28, 2010

I would rather have a vet that knew about chinchillas and disagree on just a few diet issue than have a vet that rarely sees them.

AmandaDi · Mar 1, 2010

I agree. My new vet does not agree with me on diet, but he seems pretty good with everything else. He just thinks that chins should always been on strictly timmy pellets. IMO diet is always debatable, so I'd go with whoever can give the best overall treatments based on knowledge of the chin.

sublime5981 · Mar 2, 2010

I also agree to go with Dr. Brenner, especially if she is only 30 mins away. She has personal experience as well as clinical. I believe you'll get better medical care and shouldn't have to worry if any meds given are safe or not. And if diet comes up and she tries to persuade you to her way of thinking, you can politely decline or just "in one ear, out the other".