Vets Advice vs EXPERIENCED owners advice?
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chinchillalover0927
to many chin chips??
id rather follow an experienced rancher........not all vets have experienced things that ranchers have....
RDZCRanch
RavenousDeadlyZombieChins
It depends strongly on the vet...but my first choice is experience. Ranchers have 40yr+ experience dealing with chinchillas exclusively and their knowledge is almost limitless. For the veterinary field, chinchillas are a relatively new species to come into the pet world. They have only been introduce largely in the last ten or so years. A veterinarian's experience with chinchillas will be much more limited than a rancher or experienced breeder.
I, personally follow the advice of people who have actual real life experience with chinchillas. This includes ranchers, experienced breeders, and experienced pet owners.
Most vets do not have current information, and do not have a lot of experience with chinchillas. Most vets don't know the correct antibiotics to give, etc. They suggest fruits, veggies, nuts and such as treats.
Ranchers, Experienced breeders, and Pet owners live with these animals day in and day out. Many, especially the breeders and ranchers deal with day to day problems by themselves, without seeking a vet. (Fungus, simple wounds, breeding problems). They know how to deal with chinchillas, and know through years of experience and day to day dealings what is best for a chinchilla.
I do 95% of what I can at home. This includes fungus, breeding complications, and simple wounds that do not require stitches. My animals do just fine, and I know they are getting the correct care. Most vets i've seen and talked to *I* need to tell them what to do anyway, i'd rather just go ahead and do it.
Most vets do not have current information, and do not have a lot of experience with chinchillas. Most vets don't know the correct antibiotics to give, etc. They suggest fruits, veggies, nuts and such as treats.
Ranchers, Experienced breeders, and Pet owners live with these animals day in and day out. Many, especially the breeders and ranchers deal with day to day problems by themselves, without seeking a vet. (Fungus, simple wounds, breeding problems). They know how to deal with chinchillas, and know through years of experience and day to day dealings what is best for a chinchilla.
I do 95% of what I can at home. This includes fungus, breeding complications, and simple wounds that do not require stitches. My animals do just fine, and I know they are getting the correct care. Most vets i've seen and talked to *I* need to tell them what to do anyway, i'd rather just go ahead and do it.
threewingedfury
<3 BIG and Blocky <3
Depends on the vet and the rancher. Some vets I've been to don't have a clue, other's think they do, but seem to know less than I do when it comes to chins. I tend to call ranchers first for my problems, but then if a problem doesn't clear up, I'll go to the vet to see if there's anything I'm missing. Most of the time, the vet doesn't really help unless it's medication related.
For instance - my Andariel has mastitis, and has for over 3 weeks. She's been on a full round of 2 different antibiotics and it hasn't cleared up (the swelling hasn't went down). I took her to the vet and the vet used a razor to try to cut the area open since she couldn't find bacteria under the scope (not anesthesia, no topicals, nothing, just straight razor) - I could have done that myself and kept the $400 I put in her pocket, because she gave me no answers. Now if the labs come back negative, she wants to put her under to open up the area, another $600. I might as well see if she can reabsorb it since there is no bacteria and keep my money. Vets are a waste of money unless it's a dire emergency, and even then, if they don't know what they're doing, they can be a waste of time.
For instance - my Andariel has mastitis, and has for over 3 weeks. She's been on a full round of 2 different antibiotics and it hasn't cleared up (the swelling hasn't went down). I took her to the vet and the vet used a razor to try to cut the area open since she couldn't find bacteria under the scope (not anesthesia, no topicals, nothing, just straight razor) - I could have done that myself and kept the $400 I put in her pocket, because she gave me no answers. Now if the labs come back negative, she wants to put her under to open up the area, another $600. I might as well see if she can reabsorb it since there is no bacteria and keep my money. Vets are a waste of money unless it's a dire emergency, and even then, if they don't know what they're doing, they can be a waste of time.
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Mt. Zion Chins
Barb
I agree with Tiffany. A LOT of vets that 'claimed' they know about chins don't. An very experienced 'rancher' has been dealing with chins and their problems longer than most vets. I even had a vet kill one of my chins because he really didn't know a darn thing about them. However I am extremely lucky to have an excellent chin vet now, who listens to me when I tell her what experienced ranchers say that is the 'newest way' of handling things. She often agrees and goes 'with it'. Sometimes, she doesn't know for sure and will investage the problem. Once in a while she will disagree and then I follow the vets recommendation because I trust her completely. She use to breed chinchillas herself so she knows things can change and the vets haven't been informed about the change. This vet is also Michele's and a few other people on this forum
mishellyshel
Chin Slave
Yup........Dr Goode Rocks! She is a great vet. BUT she isnt an expert on chinchillas and never claimed to be. She is very knowledgable though. She is also willing to listen to idea presented to her. these ideas are ones I received thru breeders or ranchers.
So i listen to members who have a lot of experience and knowledge. If it is not something intrusive than I try it and see if it works. If it is something more involved I will run it by my vet and get an opinion. Would I trim my chins teeth at home. NO. But if my chin had a fungus (which they dont) would I go out and try Tinactin. YES.
If my chin has (and does) have malo and needs treatment and someone here suggested a medicine they were using with good results would I mention it to my vet. YES. would I insist we at least try it. YES.
Until I find a vet that has studied chins as their main concentration. owned chins and perhaps bred chins and performed every operation, prescribed every medicine and had every possible thing happen to a chin and treat them effectively. **** right Im gonna listen to a breeder/rancher with 250 chins and 15 years experience.
So i listen to members who have a lot of experience and knowledge. If it is not something intrusive than I try it and see if it works. If it is something more involved I will run it by my vet and get an opinion. Would I trim my chins teeth at home. NO. But if my chin had a fungus (which they dont) would I go out and try Tinactin. YES.
If my chin has (and does) have malo and needs treatment and someone here suggested a medicine they were using with good results would I mention it to my vet. YES. would I insist we at least try it. YES.
Until I find a vet that has studied chins as their main concentration. owned chins and perhaps bred chins and performed every operation, prescribed every medicine and had every possible thing happen to a chin and treat them effectively. **** right Im gonna listen to a breeder/rancher with 250 chins and 15 years experience.
Essentia
Jax Chinchilla Rescue
I listen to my vet as well as the ranchers/breeders. Ranchers and breeders have the experience that most vets, even exotic vets, don't have as much experience as the ranchers who have been breeding for years and years. Even my vet has said that any information I find in terms of chinchilla care I should bring to him. He is all about learning more. He focuses mostly on exotics, but does also see dogs and cats. He also does wildlife care. Everything that has been said here I asked him about. He told me what I had read here in terms of the recent thread was absolutely fine. He said that yes, the internal medication does work, but it is harder on the body than a topical dust/cream. So I take all points into consideration and make my own decision. All in all though, my vet has been awesome so I trust him with the care of my chins. In this case he has stated the treatment I have been doing is fine, so I will continue with it.
AZChins
Pro Cage Cleaner Champion
I've had some vets give me really bad information because they are giving info that is not from their own experience. I had a vet tell customers that all female chins must be spayed to prevent uterine cancer. There are very few vets that know anything at all about chinchillas besides maybe a page and a half of info in a handbook somewhere. They will often try to fight with me over what needs to be done even though their suggestions could be deadly.
Ranchers have always been a huge resource for me to draw upon when I don't know what to do. I appreciate their experience and advice...and I know a few that I can call if I really need help and they are HAPPY to help me without requiring $150 for an emergency exam. When I can give them a brief description of a problem on the phone and they know exactly what to do it is so much better than having to go to a vet. Some smaller hobby breeders have lots of good advice as well. I don't know where I would be without some of those breeders with 100 chins or less - they helped me out so much in my first few years with chins!
Don't get me wrong. I have a very good vet here. He is one of the most knowledgeable vets that I have ever used. It's just that he doesn't know certain things that come from actually keeping chinchillas and dealing with the issues on a daily basis. He doesn't know that peppermint helps with appetite or that driving a chin down a bumpy road can induce better contractions with a chin in labor. I need a good vet regardless...I need someone to help with surgeries and medications and with other things along those lines.
But, I also have tremendously needed the advice of people that have the experience and know what to do!
Ranchers have always been a huge resource for me to draw upon when I don't know what to do. I appreciate their experience and advice...and I know a few that I can call if I really need help and they are HAPPY to help me without requiring $150 for an emergency exam. When I can give them a brief description of a problem on the phone and they know exactly what to do it is so much better than having to go to a vet. Some smaller hobby breeders have lots of good advice as well. I don't know where I would be without some of those breeders with 100 chins or less - they helped me out so much in my first few years with chins!
Don't get me wrong. I have a very good vet here. He is one of the most knowledgeable vets that I have ever used. It's just that he doesn't know certain things that come from actually keeping chinchillas and dealing with the issues on a daily basis. He doesn't know that peppermint helps with appetite or that driving a chin down a bumpy road can induce better contractions with a chin in labor. I need a good vet regardless...I need someone to help with surgeries and medications and with other things along those lines.
But, I also have tremendously needed the advice of people that have the experience and know what to do!
chinchillalover0927
to many chin chips??
i dont trust all vets for this issue, my exotic vet said my baby sugar gliders needed to be fed every 4 hours...they were a week old, so when i got them they were soooooooo dehidrated because they should have been fed every hour...this vet claims they are experienced with gliders...whats that tell you
A mix of both. My vet is brilliant & although she is not a specialist she goes out of her way to research stuff & we talk through treatments etc. I've even been asked to provide other owners or vets with advice on chinchillas.
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3CsMommy
My babies Rock!
Experienced breeder will trump a vet for me. In this area, I'm lucky if the vet even knows what a chinchilla is. All the good ones I know of are in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, or Lancaster/York PA, which are several hours drive away. I'd rather ask someone who has been there, done that before I try to get to a vet I don't know somewhere near Erie at 2AM.
lilchinchilla
Well-known member
If it requires surgery or anything with stitches, etc.., I would go to a vet (of course only if they actually know what they are doing and have been successful with surgeries on chins in the past).
Most other things, like fungus, wounds/bites, some birthing complications(obviously not in regards to a c section though.), etc.. can be done at home. 98% of the vets I have ever spoken to over the years, don't know anything about chins or how to properly do surgery on them. I only have one that I would trust to do surgery and the chin make it out properly.
And even that vet, is often baffled and unable to explain some complications(like intestinal troubles), whereas a rancher or myself or someone who has had experience, can easily understand and come up with an explanation/treatment for issues that many vets would not know how to address. I currently have two vets that I go to nowadays, and I just tell them what I need or want and they hand it to me, because they know I know more than they do about chinchillas. LOL.
It is also actually illegal here for anyone to perform surgeries or such on their own pets and not be a vet. I checked into it some years ago when a breeder was doing just that, as I thought it was quite cruel and wrong, when they did not have the necessary tools or meds to be doing such a thing. That is something that definitely should be left to vets, imo.
Most other things, like fungus, wounds/bites, some birthing complications(obviously not in regards to a c section though.), etc.. can be done at home. 98% of the vets I have ever spoken to over the years, don't know anything about chins or how to properly do surgery on them. I only have one that I would trust to do surgery and the chin make it out properly.
And even that vet, is often baffled and unable to explain some complications(like intestinal troubles), whereas a rancher or myself or someone who has had experience, can easily understand and come up with an explanation/treatment for issues that many vets would not know how to address. I currently have two vets that I go to nowadays, and I just tell them what I need or want and they hand it to me, because they know I know more than they do about chinchillas. LOL.
It is also actually illegal here for anyone to perform surgeries or such on their own pets and not be a vet. I checked into it some years ago when a breeder was doing just that, as I thought it was quite cruel and wrong, when they did not have the necessary tools or meds to be doing such a thing. That is something that definitely should be left to vets, imo.
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C
Carol~Anne
Guest
I haven't had a lot of health issues with my pet chinchillas so I haven't really dealt all that much with vets. I have taken some of my chins to a vet here in Campbell River (no exotics here) and honestly, I knew more than her and it drove me nuts that she kept referring to chinchillas as "little chinchas".
I also believe she misdiagnosed one of my boys who had the classic symptoms of bloat and had no idea about baby gas drops, massages etc. She also wrote down the wrong amount of Critical Care and it was way less than what the chin needed.
Fortunately I contacted a very experienced chin owner online and she gave me detailed instructions on what to do about the bloat. I am very thankful that she helped me out so much and my boy made a full recovery.
Obviously I wouldn't attempt to operate on my chins or any other pet for that matter and would definitely take the animals to the vet for surgery or stitches or that type of thing.
I also believe she misdiagnosed one of my boys who had the classic symptoms of bloat and had no idea about baby gas drops, massages etc. She also wrote down the wrong amount of Critical Care and it was way less than what the chin needed.
Fortunately I contacted a very experienced chin owner online and she gave me detailed instructions on what to do about the bloat. I am very thankful that she helped me out so much and my boy made a full recovery.
Obviously I wouldn't attempt to operate on my chins or any other pet for that matter and would definitely take the animals to the vet for surgery or stitches or that type of thing.
Forgive me for adding in another question to the melting pot but for interest & discussion ...........
Do any of you who have posted share information & knowledge with your vets in order to "educate" them?
My vets are really interested in learning about chinchillas. We chat about all sorts of issues & I have taken in articles, magazines, & books etc which they read. My regular vet has done likewise, sharing articles with me that she has found on chinchilla care.
Do any of you who have posted share information & knowledge with your vets in order to "educate" them?
My vets are really interested in learning about chinchillas. We chat about all sorts of issues & I have taken in articles, magazines, & books etc which they read. My regular vet has done likewise, sharing articles with me that she has found on chinchilla care.
AZChins
Pro Cage Cleaner Champion
Of Course, Claire!
I find a vet I like that is willing to learn and I try my best to expand their knowledge on the chins.
The more chins they see, the more they learn...
I find a vet I like that is willing to learn and I try my best to expand their knowledge on the chins.
The more chins they see, the more they learn... 
Marie5656
Chinchilla slave
If my vet were experienced with chins and other critters, I'd trust him. Otherwise I'd check with experienced chin owners or handlers.
Harleychin
Well-known member
I am lucky enough to have a group of great vets all at one practice.
They love to hear about everything we discuss on this forum.
They love to hear about everything we discuss on this forum.
Stackie
I bite.
My vet always consults with me and asks me what I think. That's one of the main reasons I love her bc she actually listens to what I have to say And is willing to learn if she is unsure.
