Post by Manix on Dec 11, 2010 15:11:04 GMT -8
I've searched for a good small animal vet for some time and by a happy accident, discovered I had one just five minutes down the road.
Kate Zimmerman of Tri-County Vet is as good they come. She's been treating my older gerbils, Chewy and Ifrit this year. I first met her when Chewy lost a tooth at three years old. She successfully clipped his teeth (in spite of his best efforts to not cooperate) and examined his brother who was a developing a scent gland tumor.
Unfortunately, I lost Chewy 1 month later. The teeth clipping and new diet was a complete success but Chewy developed a possible brain tumor (diagnosed by his observed behavior) that wasn't treatable. Kate's professionalism and compassion are something I can't thank her enough for. Losing Chewy to something so horrible is something I won't ever really get over. She understands that even though they're small and short lived, rodents can be as loving and as affectionate as any dog or cat. So naturally I continued to see her in assistance with Ifrit's scent gland trouble.
Weekly cold laser treatments were helping to dry up the irritated bleeding anomaly but with my packing and preparations to move into my recently purchased new home, we had to forfeit several visits. The very first week in my new home, Ifrit developed something much more serious than a scent gland tumor.
Over the course of a few days, he developed a tumor on his chest the diameter of a quarter. I was checking him frequently on account of the scent gland tumor otherwise I might have convinced myself that it had simply been going unnoticed due to its location. I immediately called Kate who is available for weekend emergency's and she saw him the very next morning and arranged for surgery the next day.
She didn't lie to me. This was a high risk surgery and not just because of Ifrit's advanced age. The tumor was close to more than one major blood supply and the nature of the tumor was unknown. It could easily be tied into muscle or bone tissue and be impossible to remove. I needed to be prepared to say goodbye.
Ifrit's surgery was a success and he has made a complete recovery. The tumor turned out to only be attached to the skin and only had one blood supply. Kate's skill and Ifrit's own determination made for a happy ending. And though the ordeal has taken its toll on my furry sidekick (his age is showing more than before, paler fur, change of habits, etc...) he is as comfortable, spoiled, and content as a three year old can hope to be.
Additionally, during the surgery Kate was able to take a closer look at his supposed scent gland tumor. It wasn't a tumor at all but blocked, akin to an infected pimple. She cleaned the gland and now this irritated lump which has aggravated him for more than three months is completely gone.
Though she offered to send the tumor off for analysis, I felt the 240$ this would have cost could be put to better use toward treatments to make sure his scent gland didn't become infected again. We are continuing the cold laser treatments.
All in all, Kate is someone who I will take any of my pets to, not just my gerbils. Her staff is friendly, her location is ideal, and she is readily available. Most of all, she saved Ifrit's life and has given me some more time with him. For that, I can't possibly thank her enough.
If you live in my area and are looking for a vet for your Cat, Dog, Rodent of any species, Bird or Reptile, Kate is experienced and prepared to treat them all with her new fully furnished location in Piney Flats TN, HWY 11E. Below is her website.
Thanks Kate!
www.tri-countyvet.com/
Kate Zimmerman of Tri-County Vet is as good they come. She's been treating my older gerbils, Chewy and Ifrit this year. I first met her when Chewy lost a tooth at three years old. She successfully clipped his teeth (in spite of his best efforts to not cooperate) and examined his brother who was a developing a scent gland tumor.
Unfortunately, I lost Chewy 1 month later. The teeth clipping and new diet was a complete success but Chewy developed a possible brain tumor (diagnosed by his observed behavior) that wasn't treatable. Kate's professionalism and compassion are something I can't thank her enough for. Losing Chewy to something so horrible is something I won't ever really get over. She understands that even though they're small and short lived, rodents can be as loving and as affectionate as any dog or cat. So naturally I continued to see her in assistance with Ifrit's scent gland trouble.
Weekly cold laser treatments were helping to dry up the irritated bleeding anomaly but with my packing and preparations to move into my recently purchased new home, we had to forfeit several visits. The very first week in my new home, Ifrit developed something much more serious than a scent gland tumor.
Over the course of a few days, he developed a tumor on his chest the diameter of a quarter. I was checking him frequently on account of the scent gland tumor otherwise I might have convinced myself that it had simply been going unnoticed due to its location. I immediately called Kate who is available for weekend emergency's and she saw him the very next morning and arranged for surgery the next day.
She didn't lie to me. This was a high risk surgery and not just because of Ifrit's advanced age. The tumor was close to more than one major blood supply and the nature of the tumor was unknown. It could easily be tied into muscle or bone tissue and be impossible to remove. I needed to be prepared to say goodbye.
Ifrit's surgery was a success and he has made a complete recovery. The tumor turned out to only be attached to the skin and only had one blood supply. Kate's skill and Ifrit's own determination made for a happy ending. And though the ordeal has taken its toll on my furry sidekick (his age is showing more than before, paler fur, change of habits, etc...) he is as comfortable, spoiled, and content as a three year old can hope to be.
Additionally, during the surgery Kate was able to take a closer look at his supposed scent gland tumor. It wasn't a tumor at all but blocked, akin to an infected pimple. She cleaned the gland and now this irritated lump which has aggravated him for more than three months is completely gone.
Though she offered to send the tumor off for analysis, I felt the 240$ this would have cost could be put to better use toward treatments to make sure his scent gland didn't become infected again. We are continuing the cold laser treatments.
All in all, Kate is someone who I will take any of my pets to, not just my gerbils. Her staff is friendly, her location is ideal, and she is readily available. Most of all, she saved Ifrit's life and has given me some more time with him. For that, I can't possibly thank her enough.
If you live in my area and are looking for a vet for your Cat, Dog, Rodent of any species, Bird or Reptile, Kate is experienced and prepared to treat them all with her new fully furnished location in Piney Flats TN, HWY 11E. Below is her website.
Thanks Kate!
www.tri-countyvet.com/