How To Choose A Veterinarian?
Veterinary care for your pet pig is one of the most important things you can do for your pig. Just as you seek out professional care for yourself and your children, your pet potbellied pig has the same needs. This choice should be made in advance of any medical emergency that might arise. Should your pig become ill or in a crisis situation, it is important that you and your pig have already established a relationship with your local Veterinarian.
There are basically two types of Veterinarians in private practice. Those who specialize in small animal care such as dogs and cats and who may or may not treat exotic animals, and those who specialize in large animal care such as horses and hogs. The general practice, small animal Veterinarian may not choose to have potbellied pigs as clients. And the large animal Veterinarian may only be use to treating large domestic hogs and not know some of the techniques and procedures needed to treat the miniature pig. So, finding a qualified Veterinarian may present a challenge in some areas of the country. The following methods of choosing a Vet can help you in your search. You can ask your breeder, ask your current Vet if he does not treat potbellied pigs, and ask other pet pig owners for a referral. You can ask your local or national pig organization for recommendations or you can go online to search out a qualified Veterinarian.
Once you find a Veterinarian who treats pigs it is wise to verify the exact experience this Vet has with the pet pig. Some key questions to ask are how many pig clients is the Vet currently seeing, is the Vet comfortable treating potbellied pigs, and can the Vet come to your home, if necessary. Other issues to discuss are is the Vet open to learning more about the medical care needed for the pet pig and does the Vet have access to other professionals who can aid in diagnosis, treatment, or procedures.
An excellent option is to acquire the services of a mobile Veterinarian who will come to your home. If you were fortunate enough to find this resource in your community, it would be wise to make sure this Vet has a portable Isofluorane unit on the mobile van.
© Kathleen Myers 2000, All Rights Reserved Worldwide
This is an excerpt from The Complete Guide to the Care and Training of Pet Potbellied Pigs
By Kathleen Myers.
For Ordering Information Go To.
There are basically two types of Veterinarians in private practice. Those who specialize in small animal care such as dogs and cats and who may or may not treat exotic animals, and those who specialize in large animal care such as horses and hogs. The general practice, small animal Veterinarian may not choose to have potbellied pigs as clients. And the large animal Veterinarian may only be use to treating large domestic hogs and not know some of the techniques and procedures needed to treat the miniature pig. So, finding a qualified Veterinarian may present a challenge in some areas of the country. The following methods of choosing a Vet can help you in your search. You can ask your breeder, ask your current Vet if he does not treat potbellied pigs, and ask other pet pig owners for a referral. You can ask your local or national pig organization for recommendations or you can go online to search out a qualified Veterinarian. By Kathleen Myers.
For Ordering Information Go To.
