The Westminster Veterinary Group is wonderful!

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra.  While I was at work the Westminster Vet Hospital called and said that Dr. Greenburg had a family emergency and is going to be out of town for week, and that I needed to reschedule my Tuesday appointment.  I called them back and let them know that Rat-O is too sick to wait over yet another week for an appointment. They rescheduled me for tomorrow morning with a different vet. I am happy that the appointment is a few days sooner, but I am concerned that it is not with the vet that you recommended to me.  The receptionist assured me that he is qualified to treat rats.  What do you think?  Thank you :)

-Natalie

ANSWER:
Hi Natalie



what is the Vets name?  As far as I know, they are all female Vets at this place and the other two have special interests in exotics and are both fine to see your rat in place of Dr.Greenburg, but I dont see a male Vet and you said "he"  ?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the quick response. Honestly I was quite upset (not angry, just worried/emotional) when I called the vet's office back, and I really only was able to pay attention to the new appointment time.  I said he because I thought the receptionist said Nick, but after looking at the vet website she must have said Nicole.  It is comforting to know that she is qualified to treat rats as well.  I have been so worried and stressed since all of this has happened with Rat-O, and you have been absolutely wonderful.  Thank you for all of your help and for always responding so quickly.  I will definitely let you know how everything goes tomorrow.
-Natalie

ANSWER:
This is how I would handle it...just my opinion though of course.  I do prefer Dr.Tia, and if some reason this needs removed surgically, I am sure it can wait another week till she returns. I just feel better making recommendations to Vets I know about and although Westminster is a great place and great for exotics, unless this was emergency surgery needed, I would let Dr.Nicole see Rat-O and prescribe meds, clean it or whatever it is that needs done, but if it needs removed by surgery, ask if you can wait for Dr. Greenburg to return or if they feel its too much of a threat to wait, which I doubt, but if they say YES I want to know WHY you cant wait, so be sure to ask if thats the case.

In fact if you want to call me, write to me at Sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com and I will give you my phone number so if you have any questions you want to ask me while your at the vets you can call me while your there.  Trust me, alot of people do this.  LOL! They sneak off and call and say "Hey, this Vet just said she wants to do this or that, what do YOU think!?"  and of course I give my honest opinion.   Your more than welcome to do this if you want, but just be sure to email me. If you put your email here it wont show up. It is filtered out for your protection as per allexperts.com.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Sandra.  I didn't get your response until after I returned home from the vet...without Rat-O because Dr. Dielo scheduled his tumor removal surgery for two this afternoon.  I talked to her a little after four and the surgery went really well.  Rat-O came out of anesthesia without complications and was walking around within less than ten minutes of being awake.  He was even drinking water and eating.  If everything goes okay I should be able to pick Rat-O up tomorrow morning and bring him home *crosses fingers*.  Back to the appointment this morning, the vet facility is wonderful, and the staff is fantastic.  Dr. Dielo is super friendly and worlds more knowledgeable regarding rats than my old vet.  She said that the growth under Rat-O's arm was a tumor, but she wasn't sure if it was a mammary tumor because of how it looked and felt.  After removing the tumor and cutting it open, it was solid and very similar to a mammary tumor afterall, but she is sending a sample of the mass to the lab to make sure it isn't anything more serious.  I really just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me with all of this.  I know that you prefer Dr. Tia (who I would have loved to have seen!), especially because you are familiar with her, but I am super impressed with Dr. Dielo and wouldn't have found her if not for you.  Oh and you might be wondering why the surgery was scheduled so soon...it just happened that Dr. Dielo had surgery time open today, and this coming week is going to be busy for me with school starting and my work schedule, so the surgery being today worked out really well.  My mom is going to be home tomorrow while I'm at school, so she will be able to check on Rat-O and make sure he is doing okay.  I was wondering if you have any suggestions for rat surgery aftercare?  Should I still stick with white paper towels instead of bedding?  I made sure to include on my chart at the vet that you referred me.  Thank you so very much for all of your help!

-Natalie

Answer
Oh I am SO glad it went well.  I had a feeling the others were just fine and totally qualified to see rats, but because I am familiar with Dr. G, I felt I should stick with her.

I was right from the start when I said it seemed like a tumor and a mammary tumor to be exact. Males still get them, they just are not as common as they are in females. Also, they have less of a chance of returning or growing elsewhere in the future.  His tumor just happened to bleed out which gave it more of the appearance of an abscess or tumor that had become infected.  Anyhow,  That makes me happy that a vet said the same as I did and I just saw a photo of it.  :)  Gives me a bit more confidence in my work!  

As for the bedding vs. paper towels, I would use the white paper towels for a day or two just to be safe.  It wont hurt but be sure to change them soon as they get soiled.  


Once again, I am SO glad its over and he is mending well. Thats great they are open on Sundays. I did not know this!  

Please keep me posted on his recovery!!  Hopefully he wont pick at his stitches. Did she stitch him internally, use glue, staples?



JUST ADDED


I see where he stayed over night, which is ANOTHER HUGE PLUS in my book! I prefer all surgery patients spend the night at least the first night post op.  This is awesome news!!  Now I can simply suggest using this facility in general and not just one specific vet from there!