How to Choose A Vet
The time to find a veterinarian is now, not when your rabbit is sick and you are forced to take what you can get. A good place to start in finding your rabbit's veterinarian is to ask for recommendations from other rabbit owners and rabbit special interest groups like the San Diego House Rabbit Society. Then move on to interviewing the veterinarians. The secret here is not to ask "Do you see rabbits?" but, rather, "Who in town should I take may rabbit to?" If the vet volunteers "We see rabbits," jot down his or her name. Take the time to call around in a radius from your home that you feel would be close enough to take your rabbit in case of a problem. Select two or three and call for an appointment to meet them. Most hospitals charge for an office visit, but some waive the fee for a quick non-medical consultation. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
You need to have a way to discern his or her level of knowledge and experience with rabbits and, just as important, your ability to communicate with each other. A good rabbit veterinarian will have a working knowledge of rabbit anatomy and physiology, nutrition and the common diseases and syndromes of rabbits. Rabbits should make up a sizable part of the vet's practice. Unless you find a specialty practice, it is unlikely that rabbits will make up a significant portion of the patients, but 10 percent would be an acceptable minimum.
Ask what special equipment and services the hospital offers for rabbits. The "standard of care" should include the use of sevoflurane anesthesia, the ability to trim incisor teeth using a dental drill (not toe-nail trimmers) and, preferably, the ability to house the rabbits away from barking dogs and the odors of cats. When seeking details, ask open-ended questions. For example, you can ask, "What type of general anesthesia do you use for rabbits?" "How would you fix overgrown incisor teeth?" "What housing arrangements do you have for rabbit patients in your hospital, particularly in relation to other animals?" A critical questions is "What oral antibiotics do you commonly prescribe for rabbits?" If the answer ends in "-cillin" (amoxycillin, ampicillin, etc. ), beware. Oral (but not injected) "-cillins" are deadly to rabbits and you need a vet who knows that. Finally, ask about prices, but don't let this be a deciding factor. Finding a knowledgeable veterinarian with whom you feel confident and who can communicate well with you can be worth paying the extra price.
After finding a vet, your next goal is to maintain a relationship with this doctor. Rabbits should have an annual physical exam. This exam can help detect problems early and help you plan health management as your furry companion ages. Unless you've adopted through the San Diego House Rabbit Society, which provides companion animals who are already spayed or neutered, you will need a vet to perform these non-emergency surgeries. Male rabbits should be neutered (also called orchectomy or castration) to alleviate urine marking and sexual mounting (mounting may recur intermittently as a behavior to demonstrate dominance). Female rabbits have a high incidence of uterine cancer, hence they should be spayed (also called ovariohysterectomy or OVH). This procedure is safer and easier on the rabbit if performed while she is young. We recommend surgery between the ages of four months (when most rabbits become sexually mature) and one year. Rabbits may be spayed at an earlier age; however, no studies have been done to show the effects of spaying prior to sexual maturity. Whomever you choose as your veterinarian, for the sake of your companion rabbit, be sure that vet has a good knowledge of rabbits. Visit our local, recommended veterinarian list.
What screening questions should I ask a veterinarian?
Dr. Dillon
How many rabbits are seen at the clinic each week/month?
How many rabbits are spayed or neutered each week/month?
Are most of the animals show animals, "stock" animals, or companion animals?
What kind of diet does the veterinarian recommend to clients to feed their rabbits?
What are the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for rabbits?
Do they know which antibiotics are dangerous for rabbits? (amoxicillin and most of the "-cillin" drugs like oral penicillin are deadly to rabbits. Injectable penicillin is ok.)
What do they recommend to their clients to prevent GI stasis?
What is the recommended treatment for GI stasis?
What is the recommended treatment for flea infestation? (Ask for the product name — Advantage or Revolution are OK, but NOT Frontline.)
Does food have to be removed the night before surgery? (No, food and water should never be withheld from rabbits.)
What type of general anesthesia do you use for rabbits? (should use isoflurane.)
What housing arrangements do you have for rabbit patients in your hospital, particularly in relation to other animals?
Are you a member of the San Diego House Rabbit Society?
What continuing education seminars have you attended that have included information on rabbits?
Dr. Knox
Finally, ask about prices, but don’t let this be a deciding factor. Finding a knowledgeable veterinarian with whom you feel confident and who can communicate well with you can be worth paying the extra price.
Note: Vet costs have increased significantly in the last few years, and experienced exotic vets are often more expensive due to their additional training and specialized equipment, and medications. We advise you to purchase a veterinary insurance plan for rabbits to help with costs. A simple visit can cost upwards of $60-$200 at a good rabbit-experienced vet clinic. More serious problems and surgeries easily cost $1,000 or more.
