Finding a Good Vet

[Tamsin]

What makes a good vet
Organising Discounts with Your Vet
Out of Hours Emergencies

[Tamsin]

You will need a vet who is experienced in rabbit care or very willing to learn. Do not assume you will get a discount from your vet just because you are a rescue. This is something you should discuss in advance. It is also helpful to ask for a pricelist for common procedures such as neutering, vaccination and mite treatment to help you budget.

You should also consider:
· How you will get to the vet, do you have transport?
· Will the vet make house calls if you have a lot of animals needing treatment?
· What are their open hours and how much are out of hours call outs? As a rescue you may take in sick rabbits out of office hours or find a rabbit ill after closing time.

[Sooz]

Some vets will do free minor 'ops' at the same time as a neuter should a need for them be identified. Discuss this with them when selecting a vet.

Minor ops I have had performed at no extra cost when performed at the same time as a neuter are dental trimming/burring and tear duct flushes.

I would recommend finding out 'stand alone' prices for:
*Neutering
*Vaccinations
*Worming
*Rear-guard
*Mite & Flea treatment
*Molar work
*Incisor work
*Incisor removal
*Tear Duct Flushing
*X-Rays

Also check out prices for these common POMs:
*Baytril
*Septrin
*Metacam
*Metaclopromide
*Fucithalmic
*Tiacil
*Zantac/Tagamet
*Fuciderm

Many medications can be brought online with a prescription from your vet so you may be able to save some pennies if its not needed urgently.

There are many 'over the counter' preperations which can be brought online for half the price at you vets such as Probiotics, Panacur, Ivermectin, Fiberplex and a few others.

[Sandra]

Hi, does anyone happen to have a list of questions that they have sent to different vets? I think I saw it somewhere on the forum once but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks:wave:

[elve]

Hi, does anyone happen to have a list of questions that they have sent to different vets? I think I saw it somewhere on the forum once but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks:wave:

was it this one? http://www.mybunny.org/info/vet_questionnaire.htm - this is a great website for information if you click the 'info' button at top of the vet questionnaire :)

[marie_kubiak]

surely cost should not be the dominating factor in this thread - almost every post seems to focus on the expense of treatment. I agree that it is an important consideration but the knowledge of the vet is also incredibly important. If an inexperienced vet charges lower prices but takes twice as long to figure out a problem and needs to do more tests to narrow down the differentials then the saving is a false economy... And why is the vet cheaper? Is the other vet more expensive as for example an intravenous catheter and tracheal tube are used to make for a safer anaesthetic but slightly higher costs? Money rarely makes it into the pockets of vets (take it from a very poor vet!) it is very expensive to maintain an up-to-date practice, so make sure that a cheap vet isn't missing out essential actions but also that the more expensive practice is being updated and improvements made to show that money is being put back in.
I would go on recommendations from other bunny owners (they will soon let you know if the bill was high and service was still poor :) ), discussion with the practice as to their bunny competence (including specialist qualifications), and assess how the vet handles and examines the rabbit.
On an aside, it is surprising how few rabbits are insured compared to cats and dogs, maybe if insurance cover was more common then cost would be less of a consideration. I can understand that rescue centres would struggle to manage to insure large numbers of bunnies with pre-existing problems but for one or two pet bunnies then surely it makes more sense to either have insurance or a 'trust fund' in case of emergencies. Any views on why this hasn't taken off in rabbits?

[Neil-and-Maria]

I think in the past it has been very hard to find policies that cover rabbits. Also most people will tell you that rabbits tend to 'just die' rather than needing treatment. :( I blame ignorance in spotting illnesses and 'hutch at the bottom of the garden syndrome". Add into the mix that rabbits are perceived as being a cheap childrens pet and who is going to spend more on insurance in two months than the rabbit cost to purchase?

It's all very sad.

Maria x

[Maizey]

surely cost should not be the dominating factor in this thread - almost every post seems to focus on the expense of treatment. I agree that it is an important consideration but the knowledge of the vet is also incredibly important. If an inexperienced vet charges lower prices but takes twice as long to figure out a problem and needs to do more tests to narrow down the differentials then the saving is a false economy... And why is the vet cheaper? Is the other vet more expensive as for example an intravenous catheter and tracheal tube are used to make for a safer anaesthetic but slightly higher costs? Money rarely makes it into the pockets of vets (take it from a very poor vet!) it is very expensive to maintain an up-to-date practice, so make sure that a cheap vet isn't missing out essential actions but also that the more expensive practice is being updated and improvements made to show that money is being put back in.
I would go on recommendations from other bunny owners (they will soon let you know if the bill was high and service was still poor :) ), discussion with the practice as to their bunny competence (including specialist qualifications), and assess how the vet handles and examines the rabbit.
On an aside, it is surprising how few rabbits are insured compared to cats and dogs, maybe if insurance cover was more common then cost would be less of a consideration. I can understand that rescue centres would struggle to manage to insure large numbers of bunnies with pre-existing problems but for one or two pet bunnies then surely it makes more sense to either have insurance or a 'trust fund' in case of emergencies. Any views on why this hasn't taken off in rabbits?

I Agree with you Marie,
I would rather have a really good rabbit savy vet and pay a higher price for their knowledge rather than having a vet who hasn't got a clue and still charges you for the privilege of seeing your bunny.