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05-20-2017, 07:28 AM
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#1
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Slough, UK
Posts: 60
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Where to find a good vet?
I've been looking into what vets are around me just in case I ever need to take a hamster to the vet, but I don't know how to find one that takes hamsters. Does anyone know where to find a vet to go to? I'm just really confused by the whole thing. I'd like it if it was fairly cheap and knows a lot about hamsters.
I'm based around Windsor if anyone could help.
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05-20-2017, 07:30 AM
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#2
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The Hamtologist
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southern United States
Posts: 2,855
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Re: Where to find a good vet?
Here's a link to help you out,
Vetectiveâ„¢ - An exotic mammal vet locator and review service
However, some of the UK members will have good suggestions on vets for you Good luck finding one
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05-20-2017, 07:34 AM
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#3
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Dwarf whisperer
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
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Re: Where to find a good vet?
Have you had a look through this thread? There may be something there.
Good vets finder
If no one can recommend a vet in your area personally it's worth checking vets in your area online, many have web sites that list the vets & their areas of expertise or you can phone around & ask about vets with hamster experience, they aren't always called exotic vets in the UK.
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05-20-2017, 07:49 AM
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#4
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Slough, UK
Posts: 60
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Re: Where to find a good vet?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher
Have you had a look through this thread? There may be something there.
Good vets finder
If no one can recommend a vet in your area personally it's worth checking vets in your area online, many have web sites that list the vets & their areas of expertise or you can phone around & ask about vets with hamster experience, they aren't always called exotic vets in the UK.
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Yeah the nearest one there is 50 minutes away
I've managed to find one that looks decent, I think. But I'm a little confused on how to tell them about my hamster. Should I email them now to get me on the database or should I wait till I need to go?
EDIT: I might go to the one that's 50 minutes away if it's good, is that worth it to go to a good place?
Last edited by BoredHamsters; 05-20-2017 at 07:56 AM.
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05-20-2017, 07:55 AM
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#5
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The Hamtologist
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southern United States
Posts: 2,855
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Re: Where to find a good vet?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoredHamsters
Yeah the nearest one there is 50 minutes away
I've managed to find one that looks decent, I think. But I'm a little confused on how to tell them about my hamster. Should I email them now to get me on the database or should I wait till I need to go?
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I'd email them to get some more info on their practice, policies, pricing, etc. This way you can determine whether or not you're going to like them. You could also visit for a consultation so they can meet your hamster and write you into the database. With my vet, I emailed them and had a consultation so I could see if they'd be a good fit. It's really your choice what you do, but I found it helpful to contact them
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05-20-2017, 08:07 AM
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#6
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Hamster Antics
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
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Re: Where to find a good vet?
I found it quite difficult in my area (North - rural area). There are two or three vet practices not far away but finding someone who knows about hamsters isn't that easy. Nearly all vets with a small animal department will treat hamsters but aren't that expert in them usually. "Small animals" tends to mean cats and dogs "Exotics" tends to mean other small pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, lizards, rabbits etc.
I don't think there are many actual "exotic" vets in the Uk - few and far between anyway.
What I tend to to do is look up a practice's website - see if they have any info on hamster care at all (I found most don't) and if they do, see how correct it is! Then I look at the list of vets and their specialities. If you can see one that specialises in "small furries" or has a guinea pig, rabbit or hamster themselves - then go with that one - and ask for that specific vet.
I tried the finder Drago linked but it only linked two in my area so maybe a local search would be better.
I had a look on Google. The nearest proper exotic vet I could find (and they do specialise in hamsters and other "exotic" pets - is in Bedford - a bit of a trek probably - about 65 miles.
https://www.scottveterinaryclinic.co.uk/exotic-pets
What you might be able to do is register with a good general vet nearer to home and then ask for a referral to the one in Bedford if there is anything serious needs treating (hopefully not )
I can't see any vets in the Windsor area that even mention small furries or hamsters in their specialisms, but this vet practice looks like a good general one with a few vets specialising in acupuncture as well. You could ring them and ask if anyone specialises in small furries or hamsters.
Vets at Alma Veterinary Hospital | Windsor | Berkshire
There's this one in Maidenhead (about 20 mins?)
The last vet on the list is an exotic vet with an interest in small furries
Veterinary Surgeons Archives | Pines Veterinary Clinic
This is a general vet in your area that sounds good - has lots of testimonials including from owners of ferrets, mice and rats.
Kelperland Vets | Vet Services Slough, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Berkshire
I think the attitude of the staff in the practice is important as well as their specialisms. Having had the experience of dealing with one vet who wasn't very compassionate!
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05-20-2017, 08:17 AM
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#7
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Slough, UK
Posts: 60
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Re: Where to find a good vet?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000
I found it quite difficult in my area (North - rural area). There are two or three vet practices not far away but finding someone who knows about hamsters isn't that easy. Nearly all vets with a small animal department will treat hamsters but aren't that expert in them usually. "Small animals" tends to mean cats and dogs "Exotics" tends to mean other small pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, lizards, rabbits etc.
I don't think there are many actual "exotic" vets in the Uk - few and far between anyway.
What I tend to to do is look up a practice's website - see if they have any info on hamster care at all (I found most don't) and if they do, see how correct it is! Then I look at the list of vets and their specialities. If you can see one that specialises in "small furries" or has a guinea pig, rabbit or hamster themselves - then go with that one - and ask for that specific vet.
I tried the finder Drago linked but it only linked two in my area so maybe a local search would be better.
I had a look on Google. The nearest proper exotic vet I could find (and they do specialise in hamsters and other "exotic" pets - is in Bedford - a bit of a trek probably - about 65 miles.
https://www.scottveterinaryclinic.co.uk/exotic-pets
What you might be able to do is register with a good general vet nearer to home and then ask for a referral to the one in Bedford if there is anything serious needs treating (hopefully not )
I can't see any vets in the Windsor area that even mention small furries or hamsters in their specialisms, but this vet practice looks like a good general one with a few vets specialising in acupuncture as well. You could ring them and ask if anyone specialises in small furries or hamsters.
Vets at Alma Veterinary Hospital | Windsor | Berkshire
There's this one in Maidenhead (about 20 mins?)
The last vet on the list is an exotic vet with an interest in small furries
Veterinary Surgeons Archives | Pines Veterinary Clinic
This is a general vet in your area that sounds good - has lots of testimonials including from owners of ferrets, mice and rats.
Kelperland Vets | Vet Services Slough, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Berkshire
I think the attitude of the staff in the practice is important as well as their specialisms. Having had the experience of dealing with one vet who wasn't very compassionate!
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Ahh thanks a lot! That pines one looks pretty good, I'll email them. As for the Kelperland one I searched it and had a look but decided against it, I might still email them just in case.
Very helpful.
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05-20-2017, 10:36 AM
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#8
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: London, UK
Posts: 241
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Re: Where to find a good vet?
One other thing to add - in the case of 'non-standard' pets (so pretty much anything other than dogs, cats and rabbits...), educate yourself. You will often get much better results if you can go to the vet, tell them what it is and why you think it is that, and tell them what treatment is normally recommended for that condition.
Some treatments (notably antibiotics) are prescription only, and do require a vet visit, even if you know exactly what is wrong.
I used this technique when I had 'productive pet' chickens - back in the days when no one kept them as pets! Indeed, I often found myself educating the vet... hopefully it's not usually that bad with hamsters, but educating yourself in advance can never be a bad thing
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