Veterinarians Texas
From the GLX-Files
Austin
Westgate Pet and Bird Hospital
Drs. Ginger Davis, Paul Brandt, and Rick Lusk.
4534 Westgate Blvd
Austin, Tx 78745
512-892-4463
Our hospital sees many exotics (I see 2-3 guinea pigs per week for medical or surgical issues and the other two doctors do as well). I did my internship at Gulf Coast Avian and Exotics with Dr. Antinoff. Drs. Lusk and Brandt have been practicing (and teaching) exotic animal medicine for about 15 years.
We provide routine care (preventative medicine and husbandry consultation are the most important) as well as surgical care: spay (including C-section) and post-op care, neuter, bladder surgery, dental surgery and radiographical evaluation to guide therapy, abscess treatment, and mass removals. During surgical procedures: fluid therapy, body temperature control, appropriate tools and magnification for the surgeon, pain control pre-emptive, perioperative and postoperative.
In addition, emergency treatment, radiography (both intraoral and whole body), ultrasound, internal organ aspirate and cytology, supportive care (fluid therapy and oral supplementation with critical care), nebulization for respiratory disease, pododermatitis treatment, and boarding.
Contributed by email: Dr. Ginger Davis, DVM - 3/3/2012
Houston
Dr. Dan Jordan
Animal Avian Hospital of the Village
http://animalavianhospital.com
2422 Robinhood
Houston, TX 77005
713-524-3800
Dr. Jordan did a cystotomy (bladder stone removal) on my guinea pig, Flourish. He and his staff were very competent and caring. Because I live some distance from them, they scheduled her consultation appointment and a possible surgery slot immediately after so I wouldn't have to wait in town all day. Flourish was ready to go home two hours later, alert and eating, and has been fine ever since. The costs were very reasonable.
Contributed by email: bpatters - 11/29/12
Southeast, Houston area
Dr. Judith Vinson
Pets Paw Animal Hospital
Montgomery Plaza
1402-B North Loop 336 W.
Conroe, TX 77304
Phone: 936-756-0304
Fax: 936-756-0396
Dr. Vinson did a spay/hysterectomy/unilateral mastectomy on a sow of mine in 2002. She is matter-of-fact, yet caring, and gives a thorough checkup. She asks about their diet, housing, bedding, etc. Dr. Vinson has 10 years of experience with cavies, and is open to learning new things and listens well to owners. She also warns owners about cedar and pine bedding, recommending Carefresh. She and her partner, Dr. Foster, have also treated my pigs for URIs, and one of my boars for a pine allergy.
This clinic cares for exotics as well as cats and dogs, and I've had no problem getting appointments on short notice for emergencies. As a matter of fact, the first time I had contact with them was when I had a sow with vaginal bleeding. I got an appointment for 2 hours later, with instructions to bring her earlier if she took a turn for the worst, and she'd be worked in as an emergency. I've never had a piggy with a dental problem, so I can't say anything about that situation.
Contributed by: sillycavies - 6/23/2003, 7:27 pm
Houston
Inner Loop area
Dr. Natalie Antinoff, DVM
Gulf Coast Avian and Exotics
1111 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
713-693-1111
I was referred to her by my (previous) primary vet when St.John had a bladder stone. She is considered by vets to be one of (if not the) best cavy vets in the greater Houston area. But be forewarned. Gulf Coast is a large animal hospital with the latest equipment/procedures, and their prices reflect that. They charge about twice as much for basic procedures, and surgeries will run you 3-4 times as much. However, they do have dedicated anesthesiologists and animal nurses who stay with your pet through recovery. If you can afford them, you can rest assured that your pig will be in very good hands.
Contributed by: Ciaytee - 11/26/2003, 2:29 pm
Houston
Dr. M. Sarmiento, DVM, PhD, MS
A&M Cat Hospital
5010 Dincans St.
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 523-0528
Dr. Sarmiento is a board-certified exotics specialist and microbiologist. She treated my two pigs for viral infections. She prints out a handbook for guinea pig owners with info that has been confirmed by this forum (i.e. bedding, diet, susceptibility to URI's, etc.) In addition, the handbook informs people of the many mites in Texas and recommends annual Ivermectin shots. She also mentions the risk of reproductive cancers due to over-breeding, and suggests spaying/neutering.
She is very matter-of-fact and caring, and her assistant is also very friendly. She printed out a multi-page report after every visit detailing what she'd done. She doesn't dumb down medical information. They called to check in on the pigs after every visit.
Contributed by: totoro33 - 6/16/2004, 11:25 pm
Denton County/ Denton
(just north of DFW)
Dr. Rebecca McClannahan
Southridge Animal Hospital
2436 I-35 E. Suite 360
Denton, TX 76205
(940) 891-0611
www.southridgeanimalhospital.
Dr. Becky has been a wonderful vet, she helped one of my piggies through a very serious URI that lasted almost 6 months. Everything she did was consistent with the advice I had found on this website and I now take all 8 of my animals to see her. I had been looking for a good vet in Denton for a few years, prior to finding Dr. Becky I would travel about an hour away to another vet.
Although they have three Dr.'s on staff, Dr. Becky is the best when it comes to dealing with exotics.
This office allows walk-ins and always gets sick patients in on the same day. They also have a doctor on call for after hour emergencies.
Contributed by: lavnlee - 1/4/2005, 1:01 am
Texas, Southeast
Name: Dr. Mark Peckham
Address: 6213 Bellaire Blvd
City: Houston
Phone Number: (713) 772 - 5574
Personal experience: Dr. Peckham is very knowledgeable in dogs, cats, and exotics (rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, iguanas). He was referred to by Dr. Carlye Rose from Memorial-610 Hospital.
Jack was in a pinch, and I was able to set an appointment when I contacted them. Dr.Peckham asked several questions about Jack's diet, bedding, and housing. He stressed the importance of long strand timothy hay, and an open cage. He had a hard time understanding the C&C cage, but he approved after I explained how it as contructed. He gave a thorough examination. He looked in Jack's front and back molars, checked his nose and ears, and took xrays. He speaks frankly when explaining, and makes sure the information was understood. He looks at the situation as whole rather than individual cases.
He is quite blunt when talking about what is going on. He does whatever in his power to care for the animals. His staff is also friendly and passionate in treating their patients.
The prices are reasonable: $47 for a regular exam and $10-$30 for medication.
I am definitely coming back for future check-ups.
Contributed by: Vonnie - 4/14/2007, 11:16 pm
