I WENT UNDERCOVER AT A PETSTORE 🐹🐰🔍

I worked Animal Emergency for 15 years and Daytime practice for 5 years before that. You were paying Emergency prices! Those are outrageous! I’m sorry you had to go through that experience. As for the “shave job” that is actually a proper shave for the surgical field. You need a large enough area to clean the surgical field plus enough room if the cyst/tumor ends up needing a larger excising area. So, in that instance your vet did an amazing job. I’m sending you all my love and positive energy 💙💙💙💙 and happy healing for Wanda!

I’m a rat dad and those rat cages broke my heart, hope those babies are doing ok now ❤️

I actually stumbled upon a pet store in a city I was visiting last week and was so incredibly happy to see that they had their rats in double critter nations and require proof of adequate housing before they will let someone buy one ❤️

The incision has to be large enough to get clean margins for the cyst and the hair has to be clipped wide enough around the cyst, so they can disinfect the area and so no hair will get in the incision.

I work at a pet store and tbh these videos are SO helpful. I know more about snakes/reptiles, but my store has guinea pigs/hamsters, and these really help when it comes to people wanting to get a pig, I can actually point them to proper supplies, food etc, especially because a lot of people think pigs are 100% okay in something less than a foot long

I went to a Petco recently, and a ball python had a thermometer stuck to its throat. It was shedding and somehow managed to knock the thermal reader off the tank and rub against the glue. I informed staff and they were freaked out, but they got it off with a little TLC and warm water - the staff at this location seemed to genuinely care about the animals... but I know it isn't that way at all pet-stores. It's always good to see people who care.

That price is CRAZY! I rescued a Piggie that was attacked by a dog. She stayed at the vet for 2 nights. She had surgery and 13 stitches in a few places and 2 medications. All of that was under $400. It has been years ago, but still. It’s sad that prices like that can really keep people from taking good care of their babies 😞

As many fellow/past vet med individuals have commented, that was a beautiful shave job to allow proper margins and sterile aseptic technique. They even squared it off fairly well. Fur grows back. Keeping in mind prices set vary from state to state and clinic to clinic, your quote was honestly fairly spot on. I recently heard around $1200 for similar mass removals. So the $500-$700 that was your final price was pretty good. Plus, depending on placement, masses are usually more involved than neuters, not less. Vet med prices have risen over the past few years. The field is also heavily depleted right now. There is such a need for techs, assistants, and vets that 24-hour and ER vets are being forced to close, or at least stop offering overnight hours. It is mentally and physically demanding work, and the turn around for techs getting into, and then leaving, the field is 5 years.

After working in the veterinary industry for many years, the price of the surgery done is very standard, also the clip job is completely normal! Needs to be big unfortunately to ensure that the surgery field is sterile and the incision is probably large so that if it is a cyst they could remove the whole capsule or if a tumour, they need to get good margins to ensure that as much as possible is removed. You may find that sterilisation procedures are highly discounted to help keep accidental breeding down. Highly recommend speaking to your vet first regarding any issues about pricing before discussing on the internet, or even seek a second opinion before committing. #NOMV

Oh poor Wanda I hope she heals fast &her beautiful hair grows back in full force 💕

I paid $230 for a neuter at my vet. I was thinking $900 was a lot when you showed the cost on Instagram! Also, great video btw

So glad you liked the keychain I chose 🥳❤️🌈

I can get my piggies seen at an urgent care appointment for a little over $100. Back when you quoted how much they charged you for a neuter, I kinda felt something was wrong. Glad your switching. Wow.

As a veterinary surgeon (who is currently not practicing due to it destroying my mental health), I have to agree with what others have said in that the shave job was perfect! Masses usually need to be removed with an elliptical incision to ensure proper margins and giving a larger shave area is also best in case you need to extend margins during surgery if the affected tissue extends or there are any issues (you can't go back shaving after you've incised - or you shouldn't if possible!). As for the price I can't really comment as I don't live in the US but that price wouldn't be unusual for an exotic species here (which guinea pigs would be classed as). I would encourage you to be sure your new vet is very comfortable and experienced with piggies though (which I'm sure you have as you seem very attentive!). Sometimes the higher price coincides with the practice having better equipment (e.g. more anaesthetic monitoring equipment) or more experienced vets. There is a bit of a risk benefit analysis involved in that regard so I would always encourage owners to do a bit of research if they are thinking of moving vets if they have been happy with the care. I'd be lying if a said that being accused of 'being a rip off' wasn't part of what caused me to leave the profession for now - it's usually not the individual vets' choice what the prices are so something to bear in mind with regard to vet visits. Absolutely question pricing if you would like, but be kind to your vets about it also.

I remember when you said how much you were paying for URIs and neuters and silently wondering why it was so expensive compared to my vets prices for the same procedures. I assumed your vet was very high end or the location had a higher cost of living, but to know you could receive treatment elsewhere for less is frustrating. I’m so glad you’ve switched!

love the tiny microphone, that be cracking me up! I have four male guinea pigs. Your channel is inspiring, I love how you are advocating for small pets, and I am definitely picking up something from your shop on opening day! And wishing Wanda a speedy recovery!

It’s so cute to see that he cares about his animals so much! Hope Wanda gets better soon!

I loved the soundtrack you used for the under cover section! Also I liked how you explained about the toys. So educational. Got to admit I was just laughing so hard when you compared Wanda's butt to a football field!!! Buddy you just don't say things like that about a girls butt!!!😂😂😂😂 You also laughed at her new hairdo!!! Time to get out the special treats for Wanda and beg for her forgiveness buddy!!!! 😂😂😂😂

Overall prices in US for guinea pig care are outrageous. For example in Latvia we paid just around 200$ for spaying of 2 guinea pig girls - considering this was done by exotics vet who did the bilateral flank spay which is the safest procedure out there for sows. Also they had their backs shaved too, but the hair fully grew back in 1 months time :)

Prices also depends on your area! Vets are not money hungry! This is a grossly underpaid field. For years, prices were lower then where they should be for years (which lead to vets leaving the field because they couldn’t afford to stay in the business). Prices are increasing in general because materials, medication, schooling, etc. is increasing! Additionally, if the vet you go to is specialized in exotics, that is gonna cost a lot more because they had to go through additional school (residency + vet school). Definitely go somewhere else if you want! That’s the beauty of having different vet clinics, you can find the right one for you! But please don’t say vets are money hungry, because we aren’t. I’ve had countless people in my field and coworkers struggling to pay rent and commuting suicide because this field doesn’t pay where it should. Get pet insurance if you can! That’s what we do for human med to pay for prices and we aren’t calling every human doctor money hungry, so we shouldn’t call vets that too