How far is your vet from where you live?

[platnymbit]

I hope that this does not seem like a weird question but how far are you from your vet. Upon researching, I have found about 5 vets within 45 minutes of me, and about 1 or 2 of them are about 25-30 minutes away.

I was also wondering if some off you travel more than an hour to your veterinarian, if so, is it because you prefer using them rather than someone who was closer.

I know finding vets that treat hedgehogs in some areas may be a challenge. But if you had the option of a couple of vet’s in your area, what would you look for? I would say distance, facilities, experience, and prices would be what I would look for.

Also, if you have an emergency animal hospital near you (or any facility besides your own vet’s) did you check it out before actually having to use them, or are you allowed to?

What would you say would be a reasonable distance to travel in case of an emergency?

I hope that this is not too many questions.

Thanks for all your input.

[platnymbit]

I forgot to add the option of 51-60 minutes. Sorry

[razzle]

I'm willing to go to the ends of the Earth for my baby. :laugh:

Seriously....my first priority is a knowledgable vet. I would certainly try a place close-by, but if I didn't feel confident with them, I would look elsewhere, even if it meant a longer drive. I'm really happy with the place I found here. It's an Exotic Animal Hospital in the suburbs and a little bit of a drive (40-50 mins, depending on traffic) but they are really good and knowledgable about hedgies.

And sure, you can check out an emergency vet before you use them. It's probably a good idea. Just walk in, or call, and ask any questions you have. Get their phone # and put it on your fridge. I would say, the closer the better for the emergency vet, but sometimes that is not always possible. My emergency vet is right beside the Animal Hospital I go to. But I have their phone # on my refrigerator and I can call them anytime with questions.

[hemi_mygirl]

My vet is about 10 minutes away by car...but when I take her by bus for her little check-ups, it takes about half an hour. Stupid stopovers.

[platnymbit]

Thanx for the feedback so far, I really think finding a knowledgable vet is key BEFORE getting your hedgie...but I also think that that if you cannot find one, any vet who is willing to learn as much as they can about hedgies is also good. I have yet another question for you all, one vet told me that they commonly have to use anesthesia in order to perform exams on hedgies, is this true for most hedgies? Thanks again. :)

[hemi_mygirl]

I don't really have an experience with the whole anesthesia thing - my vet has never had to do it to Hemi. But, some people on this board find that a little bit of anesthesia/gassing will help with the yearly physical all hedgies should have. I think it's just to make the hedgie groggy so they don't squirm around as much, and stress themselves (and their people) out.

[razzle]

Thanx for the feedback so far, I really think finding a knowledgable vet is key BEFORE getting your hedgie...but I also think that that if you cannot find one, any vet who is willing to learn as much as they can about hedgies is also good. I have yet another question for you all, one vet told me that they commonly have to use anesthesia in order to perform exams on hedgies, is this true for most hedgies? Thanks again. :)


Yep, Razzle was "knocked out" for his last exam, mostly because as soon as the vet walked into the room he turned into a scaredy-hedge and rolled into a ball so tight you couldn't even see his nose. In fact, I hadn't seen him rolled up that tight in so long, I forgotten what it looked like. He was a huffing, popping spike-ball, so not too easy for a vet to listen to heart/lungs, check teeth, etc. They told me that they'd put him under to do his exam and that it only lasts a few minutes. They did this in another room, so I did not see it. In a few minutes, they brought Razzle back in the exam room with me, he was still pretty loopy. I was a little worried, but within a few minutes he started hissing again, so all was well. :)

[hemi_mygirl]

Yep, Razzle was "knocked out" for his last exam, mostly because as soon as the vet walked into the room he turned into a scaredy-hedge and rolled into a ball so tight you couldn't even see his nose. In fact, I hadn't seen him rolled up that tight in so long, I forgotten what it looked like. He was a huffing, popping spike-ball, so not too easy for a vet to listen to heart/lungs, check teeth, etc. They told me that they'd put him under to do his exam and that it only lasts a few minutes. They did this in another room, so I did not see it. In a few minutes, they brought Razzle back in the exam room with me, he was still pretty loopy. I was a little worried, but within a few minutes he started hissing again, so all was well. :)

Hey...thanks for letting us know how long they're actually out for. I was kind of worrying about that for when Hemi goes for her big yearly examination. I'm probably going to take her when she's a bit older, about 6 months old or so. It's not that she curls into a ball...she's just so busy and curious, the vet can't keep her in one spot long enough to do anything. :laugh:

[Nancy]

It takes me about 20 minutes to get to the vet. Depending on traffic sometimes more or less.

Gassing is used quite often to examine hedgehogs and is basically harmless to them unless they are having respiratory problems. Then it isn't advisable.

With our busy ones I hold and the vet examines. :)

[hemi_mygirl]

With our busy ones I hold and the vet examines. :)

I tried that for Hemi's first vet visit. She still had to explore everything, and at the very end, she felt the need to show her appreciation of the examination. So...she pooped. And just barely missed the vet.