Sebagai tuan hamster, landak mini, guinea pig atau apa apa haiwan eksotik, anda mesti akan membawa haiwan peliharaan anda ke veterinar atau klinik haiwan.
Sebelum anda membela haiwan eksotik, anda sudah pasti tahu bahawa kos veterinar untuk haiwan eksotik lebih mahal dari kos merawat kucing dan anjing. Kerana ia melibatkan wang, sudah pastinya anda mahu memastikan lawatan dan pengalaman anda ke veterinar itu memuaskan. Dengan itu, ini merupakan panduan supaya anda tahu bagaimana mahu bersedia ke klinik haiwan.
#1: Research veterinary clinics that specialize in treating your pet's species.
Many veterinary clinics primarily cater to cats and dogs, lacking specialists for other pet species. For example a vet might accept a hamster, but not accept a hedgehog because they're lack of experience for the species. Therefore, it's crucial to Google and contact veterinary clinics beforehand.
Before getting an exotic pet, you need to ensure there is a veterinary clinic near you that is capable of treating it. You can refer to this article for a list of veterinarians specializing in exotic animals, but always remember to call and confirm beforehand. Most veterinary clinics that treat exotic animals require appointments to be scheduled in advance.
#2: Do some research and note down the symptoms your exotic animal is experiencing
It's important to acknowledge that you cannot diagnose your pet's illness by your own; a veterinarian's confirmation is necessary to determine the exact issue affecting your animal. However, conducting your own research online about the symptoms your pet is exhibiting can provide you with some insight to discuss potential symptoms and illnesses with your veterinarian.
Record the symptoms your pet is experiencing. Recall how long ago the symptoms occurred.
Record video or take pictures of your pet's alarming symptoms, behavior or sounds
#2: Keep your pet's poop
Collecting your pet's feces may seem unpleasant, analyzing your pet's feces can help your veterinarian assess your pet's health status.
Here's how to do it:
Scoop up your pet's recent feces.
Place it in a small, clean plastic bag.
Bring the sample with you to the animal clinic.
Although it might be a bit unpleasant, analyzing your pet's feces can help your veterinarian assess your pet's health effectively.
#3: Prepare a proper travel carrier
It should neither be too large nor too small. You can refer to this article for guidance on selecting the right carrier for your pet.
Additionally, remember to bring wet tissues to clean up any messes, including your pet's feces, during transport.
#4: Sewaktu di klinik haiwan
Inform the veterinarian about any concerns or symptoms your pet is experiencing. Show them any photos and videos you've taken to provide a clear understanding of your pet's condition. The veterinarian may recommend tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis. If the symptoms strongly indicate a particular disease, the veterinarian will make a diagnosis and discuss treatment options and any necessary medications with you.
You can request the veterinarian to check the condition of your pet's other parts as well. Some veterinarians may focus only on the specific symptoms you mention. For example, if you express concern about your hedgehog's ears, the veterinarian may solely examine just the ears. So these are the questions you can ask if your veterinarian does not fully examine your pet;-
I bring my pet's poop with me. Can you check under microscope if there's any parasite present?
Can you take my pet's skin scrap/sample to check for mite and fungal infection?
Can you check for my pet's heart beat if it's normal?
Can you check my pet's teeth and gum to ensure that they're normal?
The reason it's important to ask these questions is because you're paying for the consultation every time you visit the animal clinic. It would be a loss if you've paid for the consultation but didn't ensure the veterinarian thoroughly checked your pet's body. By asking these questions, you can make the most of your visit and ensure your pet receives a comprehensive examination, maximizing the value of the consultation fee you've paid.
#5: Discipline in giving medicine and treatment
After receiving treatment and medication, make sure you are disciplined in giving your pet medication. Syringe feeding your pet is a chore, but remember that they need medicine to stay healthy. Refer to this article for guidance and tips to syringe feed hamsters, hedgehogs and guinea pigs.
#6: Pay close attention to your pet's condition
Monitor and record your pet's progress. Does your pet look better and healthier? Does your pet has improved appearance, increased appetite, or signs of healing in wounds? If your animal looks the same and does not improve in 4-5 days, or getting worse, call your veterinary clinic again and make an appointment.
FAQ
Berapakah anggaran kos veterinar untuk haiwan eksotik?
As we're aware, veterinary costs for exotic pets tend to be higher compared to those for cats or dogs.
During each visit to the veterinary clinic, you'll incur a consultation fee, which is a charge for the consultation service provided. For dogs and cats, this fee typically ranges from RM15 to RM30, while for exotic animals, it's usually around RM25 to RM50. This fee covers the consultation only. If there's no treatment or medication administered during the visit, you'll only need to pay the consultation fee.
For instance, if your exotic pet requires a skin sample test to check for ticks, along with anti-tick medication and vitamins, the cost breakdown might look like this:
Consultation: RM40
Skin sample test: RM20
Mite treatment: RM20
Vitamins: RM10
----Total: RM90
Please note that this is just an example, and each visit's cost will vary depending on the treatment and medication required. Additionally, follow-up visits may have lower consultation fees. For example, if the initial consultation fee is RM40, the fee for a follow-up visit may be reduced to RM15.
It's important to understand that costs can vary between animal clinics. For routine cases such as the treatment of lice, fungus, or infections, the total cost typically does not exceed RM200. However, in severe cases requiring surgery, costs can exceed RM500.
The vet clinics I've been to have been unconvincing. What should I do?
it's a good idea to seek another expert opinion from a different animal clinic. You can explore other options by referring to this article for a list of veterinarians who specialize in treating exotic animals. It's important to find a veterinarian whom you trust and who can provide the necessary care and expertise for your pet's specific needs. Don't hesitate to seek out multiple opinions until you find the right fit for you and your pet.
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