SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GUINEA PIG RESCUE
Recommended Veterinarians
Guinea pigs are prey animals so they hide illness. By the time they start to show symptoms, they are in need of immediate, urgent care. Having a qualified, trusted veterinarian before you need one is extremely important.
Veterinarians are often booked weeks in advance and it can be very difficult to get an appointment, especially if you're a new patient. If the vet's office has already established you as a patient, they are more likely to get your guinea pig care when they need it the most.
We recommend you make an appointment with a vet for a well-being check-up or an introductory check-up shortly after bringing your new guinea pigs home. We also highly recommend having at least one backup vet.
Below you'll find a list of guinea pig veterinarians located throughout Southern California.
Dr Sydney Pokard
45 Auto Center Drive, Suite 108
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
949-704-1043
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Dr. Sari Kanfer
171 Altadena Dr. Ste 120, Pasadena CA 91107
(626) 405-1777
https://www.exoticanimalveterinarycenter.com/
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Westminster Veterinary Group
Dr. Tia Greenberg
6621 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA
(714) 899-1100
https://www.westminsterveterinarygroup.com/
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Chaparral Pet Hospital
Dr. Ann McDowell
915 W. Foothill Blvd, Ste. A
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 625-1561
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​Dr. Anne Dueppen
31270 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Verdes, CA, 90275
(310) 695-5399
https://www.pointvicentevet.com/
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Glendale Small Animal Hospital
831 W Milford St, Glendale, CA 91203
https://www.glendalesmallanimalhospital.com/
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Hancock Park Veterinary Clinic
5178 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
https://www.hancockparkvetclinic.com/
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​Veterinary Angels Medical Center
Dr. Ferrer & Dr. Archie
9348 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
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Dr Taylor Smith
Dr. Jason Sweitzer
484 E Los Angeles Ave, Moorpark, CA 93021
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Dr. Blodel
10225 Telephone Rd, Ventura, CA 93004
(805) 647-8430
https://www.eastventuraanimalhospital.com
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All Creatures Care Cottage Veterinary Hospital
Dr. Pasco
601 W 19th St., Suite 200,
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 430-7576
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ACCESS 24 Hour Animal Hospitals
Locations:
South Bay
2551 W 190th St., Torrance, CA 90504
Tel: (310) 320-8300 - Fax: (424) 293-7254
Los Angeles
Dr. Karen Schachterle
9599 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Tel: (310) 558-6100 - Fax: (310) 558-6199
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​Family Pet Clinic of Redondo Beach
(310) 376-0072
https://www.familypetclinicrb.com/
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Adobe Animal Hospital
Dr. Nakamura & Dr. Blackwolf (both excellent piggie vets)
Two locations: 15965 Los Gatos Blvd. Los Gatos, Ca 95032
and 4470 El Camino Real. Los Altos, Ca 94022.
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De Anza Veterinary Clinic
7325 Fallenleaf Lane, Cupertino, CA 95014
(888) 920-6207
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VCA Adler Animal Hospital and Pet Resort
16911 Roscoe Blvd., North Hills, CA, 91343
(818) 893-6366
Long Beach Animal Hospital
3816 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 434-9966
Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital
Dr. Walter Rosskopf
4871 W Rosecrans Ave, Hawthorne, CA
(310) 679-0693
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Wilshire Animal Hospital
Dr. LeVac
2421 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 828-4587
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Animal Medical Emergency Center
Dr. Murata
3511 Pacific Coast Highway , Suite A
Torrance, CA
(310) 325-3000
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Agoura Animal Clinic
Dr. Bradford Capper
28282 Dorothy Dr. Agoura Hills, CA 91301
​818-991-1036
Cypress Animal Hospital
Dr. Swindall
1400 Cypress St, Covina, CA 91724
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All Creatures Emergency Center
Dr. Jeanette Yamamoto
22722 Lyons Ave Ste # 5, Newhall, California 91321
(661) 291-1121
https://www.allcreatures-vc.com/
* after-hours emergency veterinary hospital hours only
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Animal Medical Group
Dr. Ken Lyon
1401 Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA
(310) 322-6506
* note: he is primarily an (excellent) dental vet, but only there two weekends a month
Crossroads Animal Emergency and Referral Center
Dr. Richard Rotmistrovsky
11057 E. Rosecrans Ave. Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 863-2522
Pet Vet
Dr. Beeder
19748 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91306
(818) 346-2455
Mondays/Tuesdays only
VCA A Breed Apart
Dr. Sostrin
777 South Arroyo Parkway, 106 Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-4444
​Cinema Veterinary Centre
23460 Cinema Dr, Valencia, CA 91355
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UC Davis Small Animal Clinic Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Berg
Unit II, 1 Garrod Dr, Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-1393
https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/hospital/small-animal
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Oasis Veterinary Hospital
6635 Alhambra Ave Suite 100
Martinez, Ca 94520.
​http://oasisveterinaryhospital.com/
ABC Veterinary Hospital
Dr. Adam Martin
330 Rancheros Dr STE 102, San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 471-4950
*they do boarding as well!!*
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West Valley Pet Clinic
Dr. Janet Berens
22430 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364
818-225-7160
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Golden Oaks Veterinary Hospital
Dr. Suzi Lanini
9155 Archibald Ave Suite J, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
909-477-4499
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Guinea Pig Ailments & Symptoms​
Guinea Pigs are prey animals so they will hide illness. This is why it's so important to monitor their weight weekly and spend time with them every day so you can recognize anything out of the ordinary. A guinea pig's health can deteriorate very quickly and by the time problems become apparent, illnesses may be life-threatening. Guinea pigs very seldom get over an illness without help.
Choose a consistent day and time if possible to weigh your guinea pig, for example a Saturday or Sunday morning or when you are deep cleaning the cage. Set your digital kitchen scale to grams. We like to use a bowl or a shallow dish so the piggies are secure and they can't jump off the scale. Download and print out our weight tracker to record your guinea pigs weight. Fluctuation in weight is going to be your first sign that something is wrong. A plus or minus of 30 grams in a 2 week period is cause for concern.
Prompt, competent veterinary care is crucial. Find a guinea pig-knowledgeable exotics vet soon after adopting so you know whom to contact in an emergency.
Visit our Guinea Pig Vet List to find a qualified exotic veterinarian near you.
Bladder Stones / UTI: Blood in Urine, Unable to Urinate, Weight Loss, Straining and Crying While PoopingBloat: Swollen Abdomen, Not Pooping
Ear Infection: Head Tilt, Loss of Balance
Giardia / GI Stasis: Soft or Runny Poop - Stop All Veggies for 24 hours, Seek Vet Care
Mites / Mange Mites / Fungal Infection: Hair loss, Red Flaky Skin, Excessive ScratchingRefusal to Eat or Drink (Contact Vet Immediately Begin Hand Feeding):
URI, Teeth Issues, PainUpper Respiratory infection:
Lethargy, Hunched Posture, Refusal to Eat or Drink, Crusty Eyes, Sneezing, Wheezing, Rough or Puffed Up Coat, Labored Breathing, Dull Eyes
Ovarian Cysts and Reproductive Issues in Females: Changes in Behavior Such as Constant Chasing and Mounting Cage Mates, Crusty Nipples, Hair Loss Along Sides, Bleeding from Vaginal Area​
When to See a Vet
​Weight Loss: a change in weight of 50 grams gained or lost at weekly weigh-in indicates an underlying health concern
Not Eating: Guinea Pigs must eat constantly to keep their GI tract moving. If pig has stopped eating you must syringe feed with critical care every 2-4 hours
Wheezing or labored breathing - Crusty eyes or noseSitting hunched in a cornerBleeding from any opening -
Blood in urine, squeaking while or difficulty urinating
Severe diarrhea or Bloated: Tummy should be soft & pliable, not inflated or hard
Head Tilt or Drooling, any other sever injury
Problems Defecating: If your pig isn’t pooping, see a vet asap
Hair Loss: more than just shedding can be serious
Any behavior unusual for your pig, such as facing a corner, turning down their favorite veggies, refusing any food can be an indication your guinea pig is seriously ill. Seek veterinary care immediately(SOURCE: GUINEALYNX)