[Gpdd] MISC Rodentology

Penny Charlesworth piggyfriends at tesco.net
Fri Feb 6 14:17:08 EST 2009


Hi Pat,

Rodentology in England started with the CCT, the Cambridge Cavy Trust. The Piggyfriends had a wonderful vet for many years but vets with any in depth knowledge of our little friends are like gold dust. They may be fantastic with cats, dogs and farm animals but so few can treat piggies competently. ( I hope that this does not constitute libel ).

In 1994, the B.A.R. was formed ( British Association of Rodentologists ) where people could learn the proper care of these special creatures.

They run courses and give lectures on various aspects of cavy care.

There is a website that might be of interest http://www.rodentology.co.uk/

Peter Gurney was closely associated with the CCT.

Members of the CCT can take their piggies there for treatment but it is a long drive for me and I was so pleased when two of the rodentologists, who had worked at the CCT, started a clinic only 45 minutes away.

One of the most useful aspects of rodentology is that dental work can be carried out without a risky anaesthetic, something few vets would countenance, and for a piggy with severe or chronic dental problems, the procedure can be repeated ad infinitum. Some piggies visit our rodentologists every couple of weeks for a trim and are able to enjoy life without the danger of being anaesthetised each time ( and the vast expense of the unnecessary anaesthetic ).

They are also "midwives" par excellence and many mothers and babes are here today that would have perished without their intervention.

Rodentologists are not vets, are not recognised by the BVA ( British Veterinary Association ) and are not allowed by law to do invasive surgery. They can treat animals just as we could ourselves, if we know how, doing procedures like lancing an abscess, dealing with a sebaceous cyst and treating skin conditions for example but, for an actual operation, must call upon the services of a "proper" vet. 

My Rodentologists only see piggies, although others probably treat other rodents, and see more piggies in one week that most vets might see in their lifetime, so recognising piggy ailments is second nature to them. If an operation is required, they use the services of a vet with a practice near to the home of one of their helpers. It was a struggle to find one whose high standards of piggy care met up with their own.

There should be wondrous people like this available for every piggy and without them, I would not be able to carry on with Piggyfriends.

Do you remember Susi, with the Okie piggies, who used to post on the GPDD? She was very interested in doing a correspondence course with the CCT but I don't know what became of that.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.





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