Listed in alphabetical order. These vets have been recommended by fellow rat-owners as rat-friendly vets. Should you wish to add a vet, please leave a comment below in the comment section.
Blue Cross Vet Hospital
Dr Bebbington
45 Main Street, Newlands
021 674 4090Forest Drive Veterinary Clinic
Dr J McMullen
22 Forest Drive, Pinelands
021 5317894 or 021 5315277Ixia Street Animal Hospital
Dr Natalie Wood
9 Ixia St, Milnerton
021 555 4045Kloof Vetenary Hospital
Dr S C Wahl (Cathy)
27 Union St, Gardens
021 423 2917Kraaifontein Animal Hospital
Dr Swartz
62 Brighton Rd, Kraaifontein
021 988 0432Panorama Veterinary Clinic and Specialist Centre – 24 Hour Clinic
Dr. Bernice van Huyssteen
1 Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, Panorama
021 930 6632Pinelands Veterinary Clinic
Dr Whittington-Jones
22 Wisteria Ave, Pinelands
021 531 1663Riverside Veterinary Clinic
Dr Steve Kitley or alternatively Stephanie
153 Main Rd, Rondebosch
021 689 9791Rondebosch Veterinary Hospital
Dr Grant
111 Campground Road, Rondebosch
021 685 5558St Francis Veterinary Clinic
Dr. Pam Browal
157 Main Rd, Bergvliet
021 712 0357Strand Animal Hospital
Dr Faure
93 Da Gama Street, Strand
021 854 7037Tygerberg Animal Hospital
Dr Steven Smith
78 De Bron Avenue
021 914 0886
Kenridge branch
Tags: cape town, rats, recommended, vets
March 17th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Dr Faure
Strand Animal Hospital
Experience – only taken boys 3 times for general check ups but very pleased so far – he did not mind me asking questions and showing him the Ratanooga info. Also brought out one of his books to show me pics of fur mites, made me feel the base of tail to see we had caught the mites very early on and dosed both boys with Kitten Revolution (these were my first two boys who I got from a pet store) – said they were in good health, great teeth and weight was excellent.
Operation Experience – have not yet had to take any of the boys in for anything serious but he was recommended to me by the vet in Milnerton who is apparently a very good exotic/small pet vet. The receptionist did say (when I first enquired) that if he was not comfortable with an operation he would refer me to someone else, so won’t take chances and is willing to say he can’t do something.
He told me he was thrilled to be getting more ratty patients as he really loved them and that they were bright, fun pets to have.
Rates – Very reasonable – Gives a reduced consultation fee for small pets – 2 rats consult cost R150 and once when I brought just Apollo in for a quick look see he only charged me R57
March 17th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Hey
You’ve missed out Panorama Veterinary Clinic and Specialist Centre 021 930 6632, 1 Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, Panorama. The main vet for exotics is Dr. Bernice van Huyssteen but the afterhours vets, Dr. Chris van den Heever and Dr. Jeanniel Brand can also do basic treatment for rats. It’s a 24 hour clinic so is great for advice or emergency care any time and the vets are on the premises 24 hours a day.
March 19th, 2012 at 9:23 am
I can honestly recommend Rondebosch Veterinary Hospital for both rats (and dogs for that matter). Dr Grant is experienced with rats, as is Dr Holden. Both care deeply for the animals they treat.
I have had many rats sent for operations here, but my only slight complaint is they forget to dispense after op pain meds, so do firmly request these after your rats’ op(s).
Please also specifically request ALL stitches to be dissolvable and no Temgesic to be administered.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:05 am
Just a note that Dr Bebbington is now at the Blue Cross Vet Hospital (details below):
http://www.bluecrossvethospital.co.za/
45 Main Street
Newlands
021 674 4090
He has treated several of my girls for issues ranging from basic conditions (respiratory infections and possible mites) to leukemia. He has access to a wide variety of diagnostic equipment and has performed operations on three of my girls, where his dedication to surgical aftercare is quite impressive. He is knowledgable about rats in general, very sympathetic and extremely open to additional information – definitely the kind of vet you can go to with suggestions without fear of offending him.
Prices seem to be higher than for other vets in the area, but it seems that there are payment options available on request. Feel free to PM me if you would like more specific details about the costs involved or the procedures I’ve had done by him.
Dr Bernhardi (at the same practice) also sees rats, although none of my girls have been treated primarily by him.
February 16th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Dr Gosia at CitiVet Bothasig
8 Tafelberg Str. Bothasig
021 558 0995
April 24th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
I’ve heard enough feedback from a couple of people to be VERY CONCERNED ABOUT the fact that DR GOSIA at CITIVET is recommended on this webpage. In the last few days she’s shown a few questionable decisions or lack of knowledge by:
1. Prescribing cortisone and Baytril to a young rat who had sneezes/sniffles after arriving at his new home but who she admittedly said had clear lungs. I am horrified that any vet could take such extreme measures, especially with cortisone use on a young rat who is otherwise healthy!
2. The course given was only 5 days as well, another issue considering the standard course is 10 to 14 days
3. She also mentioned that she would have then used Baytril and Doxy if the first course of treatment had not worked, again very excessive for a young rat who has no serious signs of infection or illness.
4. She administers her medications in a peanut butter paste in ampules and yet the doses used are identical to the pure undiluted medication – so there’s a concern that rats are not getting the proper amount?
I’m honestly not trying to slam her or her practice but maybe someone who knows her or uses her as their regular vet can provide her with info from the Rat Health Guide and maybe suggest she do more research into rat treatment for future? And those using her pleaes just be cautious and properly discuss all treatment options and methods – do your own homework!
April 28th, 2013 at 10:22 am
Citivet has been removed, thanks Caryn!
July 25th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Thumbs up to Dr Shabeer at Edenvale vet. He was great, informative, and helped me to the best of his ability. I’d recommend him to anyone.
May 2nd, 2014 at 8:10 am
Another vote of confidence for Dr Faure (Strand Animal Hospital). Sadly had to say goodbye to my Rattytouile yesterday … what a gentle, compassionate, caring vet who really knows and understands his subject.
Highly, highly recommend Dr Faure
June 5th, 2014 at 1:16 pm
To Ingrid: Sorry to hear about your loss. Lots of love and hugs xxx.
But under the circumstances it is a great for me to see such a recent good vote for Dr Faure. we are getting 2 girls rats soon and I was hoping to get a good reference from here.
We had to take our little hamster to him last year, sadly nothing could be done, but he handled the situation very well. At that stage I didn’t know we would be getting ratties – otherwise i would have talked to him more