Westbridge Veterinary Hospital

[Deleted]

It's located in Mississauga, ON.
Has anyone ever brought their fuzzies there? Know anyone else wo has?
I was thinking of possibly bringing mine there once I have to start searching.
I used to bring my previous ferret to Britannia and hooolllyyy, they were VERY expensive.
I emailed Westbridge asking how much they charge for vaccinations and examination/consultation, and here it is:
Vaccines: $12.50 a piece
Exam/Con: $65.00 (though during the first year for ferrets they lower it to $56.90)
Does that sound decent? It was a lot more decent than Britannia that's for sure, lol.
If anyone has other vets who treat ferrets in Mississauga to suggest, please do!

[Heather]

I would go in and talk to the "exotic" vet. The one that's going to be treating your ferret. I've dealt with many clinics over the years, had disagreements with more than a few (believe me being a raw feeder over 15 yrs ago meant you ran up against a lot of vets). Ask questions. I know it's about price, I agree, but it's also can you work with them. Are they willing to listen...take the time....talk to you, not at you. Are they really ferret knowledgeable and if they're not, are they willing to work with you and learn. I had one vet who was touted as the best ferret vet in the area. I discovered that she wasn't and my blind faith, killed my ferret. I've dealt with vets who are all about the money (and yes everyone needs money but...some it's all it's about). Are they willing to listen to you, or do they have issues with your input. I've also dealt with fantastic vets who are hampered by the organisation they work for (most vet clinics are now a for profit organization, meaning it doesn't matter what the individual vet thinks or believes they will get in trouble if it doesn't follow the corporation's mandate) I worked with a vet who was awesome, she wasn't as ferret savy as some but she was willing to learn and we worked well together. It all fell apart one day when I went in and she turned to me and said that she had to offer these services and keep my ferret alive no matter what....her boss told her to do this. She didn't believe this but this was what had to happen and it would be the last time we discussed this policy. Shortly afterwards she left on mat leave and never came back. I went looking for a new vet. I've got one now that I'm very happy with. I can work with her, I know that she will not suggest treatments that are not needed and she will also step up to me and say...enough...are you doing this for you or your little one (I asked her to do this when we first started to work together....I love my wee ones and sometimes I'm blinded by the need to save when it's no longer possible). It's just a thought.
ciao

[Deleted]

I messaged the vet again, inquiring of who would be treating the ferrets and what their opinion is when it comes to a raw food diet, and so far I've heard that one of the two potential doctors doesn't promote or recommend it, however she is willing to discuss it with me. Hmmm. Not sure about the other doctor yet, may not hear back from Westbridge till tomorrow when it comes to their opinion (seeing as that doctor doesn't come in till tomorrow). I have a feeling they won't stray far from the first doctor's opinion.

[Heather]

You may actually have someone that you can work with as far as diet. The vet that I'm presently working with would not support a raw diet either, said that she had repaired too many mistakes (I'm good with that...I know of a lot of people who think that feeding raw means tossing a pkg of ground meat or a chicken back at their pet and they then claim they feed raw) We both agreed at that meeting that unless a diagnosis directly involved diet we wouldn't discuss it. She was good, she never once mentioned that what was wrong with my ferret was because I fed raw and if I fed kibbles then it would get better. Eventually, she did start asking questions....why...because my guys recovered faster from illness, were in better condition even though they were sick (almost all my rescues are hospice work). We now have very good conversations about diet and how it reflects on the general health of my wee ones. She's had to change some of her treatments and timelines because of how well their diet assists them through chronic problems. She's also sent people to me to help get their little ones on a proper raw diet. Sometimes it takes time to open doors of communication but my vet was all about getting my little ones better and their care. She proved that to me the first day I walked through the door with Odin when he broke his one canine tooth off at the gum line doing cage wars with Fun-Go. The bottom tooth was ripping his upper lip apart. She had a full waiting room, but she took him back fixed his teeth for him, allowed me to assist and then did not bill me for an emergency surgery. The billing was nice but not that important as getting Odin the treatment he needed. I had been turned away from 5 vet clinics that day including my regular vet clinic as they didn't do "ferret tooth problems"
ciao

[Deleted]

It's good to know you have a doctor who's supportive and clearly cares about your pets a lot. I hope I'm fortunate enough to encounter someone like that. From the sounds of it you've shown her the light when it comes to raw feeding, haha.
Maybe I can come to an agreement with the doctor the same way you did in the beginning, not further discussing it unless diagnosis is directly related to the raw diet. That and I still have yet to find out with the other doctor thinks of it.
Not quite on subject with the veterinary stuff..but today I was looking around in the grocery store, like at the poultry and pork and etc, and I saw a package of chicken giblets and hearts for like two dollars and..fourteen cents? Something like that. It seems a raw diet would prove a little cheaper than the usual...but then again I'm sure raw feeders prefer to get their meats off a butcher rather than packaged meat in the grocery store, right?

[Deleted]

So I actually heard from them again today, and yup, the other doctor's opinion doesn't differ. At least they're happy to discuss it with me rather than straight up decline. What might be the key points I should tell them? I hope the fact that ferrets seem healthier on this diet doesn't displease them..then I'd know they're not the right vet for me. >_>

[Sherry]

They're obligate carnivores meaning they can't digest anything not meat based. Grains/starches can set them up for insulinoma later in life, especially if there's a genetic predisposition. That a balanced raw diet is far better than any kibble. That they stay hydrated much better. That the protein in meat is more bio-available for use by the body. And that you are feeding raw. Period.

[Deleted]

Very well put, I'll be sure to repeat this to them (or others if it turns out they're not negotiable whatsoever). Sherry, Heather, you guys rock. ^^

[Deleted]

Do what Sherry and Heather say. Vets are more interested I think, (if they're not about the money), in how raw diets promote health. If you can say that raw does promote longitude of life and healthier proportions, then they may be more willing to help you out. The best vets are the ones who are willing to reconsider. Life and technology and health constantly changes so if they flow with the change, its good. Right?

[Deleted]

Hey I just joined this forum...

The vet I use for my ferret is looking to specialize in exotics as he has not yet done so but he is (and has been) VERY willing to learn and eager to help with any questions/problems that I have. I really recommend him.

I see Dr. Memon at Lorne Park Animal Hospital in Port Credit Mississauga.

They are fairly good with appointments price wise and do not push you to do anything you do not feel comfortable with. I have not actually discussed the fact that I feed Pandora raw food with him but I could see him being quite open minded. He is a fantastic Vet.

[miamiferret2]

You need to stand your ground and say "this is what i feed and i have done my research." thats that. One of my vets feeds a BARF diet to his dogs! and he is the one that i like the least! i was shocked when he said this to me. i just about fell off my chair.

[westbridgevet]

Hi all,

We were told about this thread today from a client of ours, and I was happy to come along and join in on the conversations as one of the Technicians at Westbridge.

I would like to start by offering not an excuse, but rather a potential explanation for the resistance in the recommendation of raw food diets from veterinarians. To preface, I feed raw to my Dobermann, and do believe in some of its touted benefits.

Heather, you have so eloquently brought up one of the main problems we see on a regular basis from people feeding raw. Unfortunately, these individuals represent the majority of raw feeders, and I think that definitely contributes to the negativity. A large portion of this population correlate feeding raw to going to the grocery store and feeding raw ground beef or chicken breast. I have a few problems with this:

• This obviously is not a balanced diet. A balanced diet, and a 'natural' diet which is what they tend to be touting, includes the entire carcass, with the organs that contain many essential vitamins and minerals. Feeding primarily muscle is not adequate balanced nutrition.
  
• Raw food at the grocery store is far from fresh. In addition to sitting in the refrigerator in the grocery store for days, the meat is also handled, slaughtered and packaged potentially in three different locations. While some animals (ferrets namely) can tolerate the bacterial load that comes with raw food sitting out for days, there are some inevitable health concerns here.
  

The concerns we have to have as a veterinary practice is for the potential pathogens associated with a raw food diet (E. Coli, Salmonella as examples). While our carnivore pets can often shed these organisms asymptomatically, humans can become seriously ill, and potentially die, from ingestion of these organism. Our concern comes with irresponsible owners feeding such diets to our pets particularly with small children, elderly, or immunosuppressed individuals. It makes it very hard for the veterinarian, in this day and age of lawsuit-happy individuals, to make such a recommendation. If a dog on a raw diet recommended by the veterinarian ingests salmonella, passes it to a child, and the child becomes deathly ill, who's responsible? Unfortunately, a lot of people (namely lawyers) will suggest it is the veterinarian.

One of the two doctors who see ferrets here does recommend against raw food diets, primarily for the reasons mentioned above. ALL of the doctors are willing to listen, learn, and work with you towards the best interest of your pets. We have many clients who's pets are on a raw food diet, again myself included.

We definitely understand, and recommend as such, that ferrets are obligate carnivores and their diet should therefore reflect that in being very high protein, very low CHO.

Thank you for considering our hospital!

[Deleted]

I like this vet, guys- they took the time to come on here...do like.

My vet is very supportive of everything I do with my creatures, he always makes time for them in emergencies (yesterday one of my mice had to be put down..no more appointments that day but they did it anyway. I am so thankful- the poor thing had a prolapse that had dried up and torn off...she was bleeding and miserable.)

He's always interested in what I do with my little ones, and I couldn't ask for a better vet.

[Deleted]

Jun 23, 2012 11:49:59 GMT -5 @westbridgevet said:

humans can become seriously ill, and potentially die, from ingestion of these organism. Our concern comes with irresponsible owners feeding such diets to our pets particularly with small children, elderly, or immunosuppressed individuals. It makes it very hard for the veterinarian, in this day and age of lawsuit-happy individuals, to make such a recommendation. If a dog on a raw diet recommended by the veterinarian ingests salmonella, passes it to a child, and the child becomes deathly ill, who's responsible? Unfortunately, a lot of people (namely lawyers) will suggest it is the veterinarian.

One of the two doctors who see ferrets here does recommend against raw food diets, primarily for the reasons mentioned above.

I think that's a pretty weak excuse. You can't recommend raw diet because you assume your clients are not intelligent enough to handle it?

You should show this thread to your bosses and remind them that they are their to serve their clients by offering correct health information for OUR PETS. Stop worrying so much about the human.. if they want to be doctors.. be a doctor, not a veterinarian.

[Deleted]

Consider the point about lawyers, though-no offense if any are lawyers on this forum....veterinarians don't have to recommend a raw diet to privately approve of it. We can feed what we want anyway, the vet is there for the needed check ups, medicines and tests to keep our little ones happy and healthy. My current vet does not even know what I feed-it never came up. We discuss health.