| When you first decide to bring a guinea pig | | | | |
| into your home, you should be sure that there | | | | Not all vets will treat guinea pigs, so if |
| is a vet who specializes in small pet care in | | | | you have a vet already who treats your other |
| your immediate area. Many people may not | | | | pets, you may want to ask him or her first |
| consider the expense of veterinary care for | | | | about whether or not they will be able to |
| other small pets like hamsters or gerbils who | | | | care for the new addition to your family. If |
| live an average of two years, but guinea pigs | | | | they don't, ask them to recommend a vet who |
| are not disposal pets. Because they can live | | | | does. |
| on average 4-8 years, they should be | | | | |
| considered long-term members of your family, | | | | If you don't already have a vet, then you can |
| just like a dog or a cat. | | | | check with your local yellow pages to find |
| | | | one. Most advertise that whether or not they |
| Why should you find a vet this early? Because | | | | accept small pets. Another option is to use |
| guinea pigs can become ill quickly and | | | | an online vet finder, such as the one |
| deteoriorate rapidly. If you wait to try to | | | | available at You simply enter your state, |
| find a vet after your pet becomes ill and run | | | | and a list of vets who work with guinea pigs |
| into difficulties, it might be too late to | | | | will appear. This particular service is not |
| save your guinea pig. | | | | comprehensive, but it will serve as a good |
| | | | starting point for your search for a vet. |
| With dogs or cats, owners generally take them | | | | |
| in for a check-up when its time to renew | | | | Once you purchase your new family member, it |
| their shots. Since guinea pigs don't need | | | | might be a good idea to take him or her to |
| shots, it can be easy to take their good | | | | your vet for a thorough check-up, especially |
| health for granted. Your guinea pig should | | | | if you will be bringing it home to other |
| see his or her vet at least once a year as | | | | guinea pigs or pets. |
| well. | | | | |