I found Ellie, the guinea pig vet purely by chance on Facebook. My beloved 3 year old guinea pig, Buzz, unfortunately had a growing tumour on the side of his face called a lipoma since December last year. I had been to see a couple of vets including an exotics vet who had been recommended by the initial vet. I was told that nothing could be done and the tumour could not be excised due to it's location. That ultimately it was palliative care. As the tumour grew in size he was started on pain killing medication. I was very aware that he was on borrowed time but I also didn't want to have him euthanasised whilst he still seemed happy in himself and was eating and drinking. Every day I was looking at him closely and wondering if it was time, as I never wanted him to suffer unnecessarily. 

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Ellie examined Buzz at the beginning of day and operated on him that afternoon. I couldn't wait whilst he had surgery as I had to travel back to work that night. She called me that later that afternoon and told me she had managed to successfully remove all of the lipoma. This was such amazing news to my partner and I. She took him home with her that night to care for him, as there was no overnight staff at the vets' practice. I think this speaks volumes about how much she cares about animals.

 

I collected him the next day and although he had a rough couple of days (understandably), he is now over 2 weeks post op and doing fantastic. His scar is almost healed and he has a new lease of life. We are so happy. I know some people might think that they are only guinea pigs, but to us, they are much loved members of the family. I absolutely cannot recommend Ellie highly enough, she really cares about guinea pigs and her standards of care are exemplary. I only wish we had found her sooner! Thanks to Ellie and all the staff at Derwent Valley Vets for everything that you did for Buzz.