Vets..what you think..have your say!

My wife has been asked to collate a complete study of rabbit care right across the board for a large chain of veterinary practices so that an operating protocol can be set and rabbit care can be improved .

One area that seems to be neglected is customer feedback and expectations with regards rabbits in particular.This in her experience has left some vets with the sad perception that they do not have to care what they say or do infront of a rabbit owner or in the way they treat a rabbit in comparison to that of a dog or cat.

One area of the study is to make them aware that rabbit owners are very observant and demand the highest standards of care both in knowledge and procedeures by the vets they visit. As one simple example.... how the vet physically handles your rabbit from the carry cage to the table!

So....PLEASE without giving any vet names or details of veterinary practices she would be grateful for any imput on the following.

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names)

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)

4 How many rabbits do you care for?

We want to hear both horror stories and inspirational ones too so do'nt hold back...have your say before any protocol is set. Your experiences may make a difference to how a large veterinary chain see's and deals maybe with your rabbit(s) and hopefully for the better.

Your replies will be much appreciated

Alan.

This subject is very recent for me, having just had a bad experience with my vet

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names)

Yes, after my recent experience, i would use the same practice, but not one particular vet.....i felt that she was rather cold and acted as if my rabbits life was not worth trying to save

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)

Yes, if i found a rabbit knowledgeable vet in my area, i would be willing to travel a small bit too!!

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)

Not the greatest.....when i first got my bunny i asked the vet what i should do....i feel i should have been told alot more than i was

4 How many rabbits do you care for?

Only the one.....ans seen as you havent written no names, his name is Kermit!!

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names) No I like both my vets and both are equally bunny savvy and are also really nice people.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please) If I had a bad experience I would def change vets.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please) Excellent - both have offered the advice I was expecting and are both happy and able to answer my questions. They are both very nice people and don't mind if your appointment runs over if you have questions. They also don't mind me being paranoid about my rabbits health!!

4 How many rabbits do you care for? Three

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet? I had a vet once for Sorrel who was quite rough, tranced her unecessarily and was unwilling to answer my questions. if i knew his name i would avoid him! luckily I've not seen him again.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please) I would hcange practises if I felt there was a major lapse in their treatment of, or attitude to, my rabbits...for example if they told me something that I knew was wrong eg - "fast your rabbit before a GA" or "sudden lack of appetite isn't anything to worry about". Or if I felt they were recommending PTS when there were other options left.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please) with the exception of the one I mentioned above, ALL the vets at my local practise are excellent, they have at all times showed a thorough understanding of rabbits, never dismissed my concerns, demonstrated a genuine fondness for rabbits as a species and always answer my (excessive!) questions, even drawing diagrams to explain things better. One of my rabbits has been for a dentals twice and they were very supportive and phoned me with updates and gave great after op care.

ETA - also, when i got my first rabbit I wasnt particularly well up on rabbit care and they gave me loads of helpful advice without it feeling like criticism.

4 How many rabbits do you care for? three - one of these has severe health issues and the other has minor ones, the third is fine for now touch wood.

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names) No I like both vets.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please) Yes no doubt about it.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please) Excellent - They offer the best advice, are always happy to help out, lways aim to fit in your rabbit asap if it seems urgent, last saturday i thought a new rabbit had myxi, they told me to bring him straight away.

4 How many rabbits do you care for? I have 4 of my own and have 13 rescue rabbits here.

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet? I found a rabbit savvy vet and think he's wonderful, as does my rabbit as he fusses him to death! i would never consider changing vets.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad? i would never change from the vet i'm with now.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits? i've heard some terrible stories of vets who don't think rabbits are worthy of treatment, etc, some don't seem to realise what wonderful pets they make and are valued just as highly as cats and dogs. my vet is the complete opposite and is always happy to answer my million questions, no matter how insignificant or silly they seem.

4 How many rabbits do you care for? one at the moment.

What an interesting thing to be asked.

1. My vet practise varies to the point that I now have to ask for a specific vet as the others vets at the practise I have no faith in and they are definately cat and dog vets. The vet that we favour is brilliant with the buns. He carefully but securely lifts them out of the carrier if they are facing backwards or lets them walk out of their own accord if forwards. The vet has a massive smile on his face when he sees Arthur and always compliments us on how well cared for he looks. The other vets don't want to even hold him and won't get him out of the carrier at all.

2. I did change practise because I felt that I wasn't being taken seriously at the first vets. Statements like 'aren't you a bit old to have a rabbit?' nice eh I am only 33. Obviously he thought that they are childrens pets only.

3.Other vets seem disinterested when I take the buns and I just feel like a number but our lovely special vet relishes the challenge of treating these delicate and complex animals.

4. Over the years its been anything from 4 buns at a time to my normal 2 buns.

I have to add that the area I live has a large population of elderly people that generally have over weight lap dogs or cats. I think my vet likes seeing something a little different.

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names) Yes - he picked my rabbit up by the scruff and was about to twist him over before I caught his bum for support (the rabbits not the vets! )

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please) Yes - I went to my local emergency vet because a rabbit had had a fight and ripped her ear. He handled her roughly, told me it needed amputating and sent her home with no metacam, nothing. Two days later I went to my usual vet and she sewed it back together and it's good as new now. My "usual" vet is a twenty minute drive away and I make the journey because 3 of the vets there know their bunny stuff.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please) Some are very knowledgable but they are few and far between and some hold very little regard for rabbits - eg the emergency vet I saw. Some don't even seem to know how to administer the myxi vax. Receptionists too don't seem to bother to gem up on rabbits - the number of times I hear people have been told to starve their rabbits before an operation is worrying.

4 How many rabbits do you care for? 17 of my own and the rescue rabbits in my care

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?yes i have to feel a vet is specialising in rabbits and therefore needs to spey/neuter regularly,never ask for a rabbit to be fasted show a high level or rabbit knowledge, show compasion and kindness to my rabbit when treating and holding for exaple one vet held my rabbit roughly and she squeaked in fear or pain i do not know but i was so angry and upset and will never see that particular vet again, also i choose to use the vet that i do for chelsea as he is not afraid to ring colleauges who are more expierianced in the field for referals and for advice, the vet is happy to try out a new treatment but will always explain risks fully, the vet will listen to me about the way my rabbits are kept and how behaviour has changed, as they are not hutch bound and generally live a free range life when i am home and adjusts thier treatment accordingly (for example, rabbit hates being handled if has recently had a check up then will do a cursory check over and do vaccs in thier vet box to minimise stress, for another example rabbits are not picked up very much and so advises of ways to sneak meds into food rather than give by syringe, also my vet for chelsea will let us ring him any time for advice and when she was ill with myxi he rang us personally to check on her progress instead of waiting for her check ups. he shows he genuinly cares

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?
a mis diagnosis by a vet which led to my rabbits foot being strapped up and made it swollen and a lot of pain, turns out there was something stuck in there and this made it worse, also another vets mis diagnosed my hamster and so i have looked alternativly to find a new vet (nb the bad stuff is diff vets from one i use for chelsea in glos who is highly recommended for anyone reading this and thinking it is that one?) then did not feel i wanted to go back,
rough handling of my pets and generally not caring about the life of a rabbit.


3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)
there is a vast difference in rabbit savvy vets as to a standered vet, this is seemingly not sue to the lack of rabbits owned but the lack of vets time to learn about new procedures, the vets pride which stops them calling for a second opinion off someone with more expieriance and also from the lack of specialising of rabbit practise they are taught at vet school. I find it hard when the vet in question will look at my rabbit as if it has a life not worth living as they are kept in hutches at bottem of garden(so not true!) thankfully this is not all vets but it is certainatly a few, where as these rabbit vets will go out of thier way to help your rabbit survive and live a high quality life, the non rabbit savvy will often not give enough pain relief and will put down animals which with more knowledge could have been saved, in my opinion there are not enough rabbit savvy vets and definatly nothing to show they are competant in complex rabbit issues, if they could take a qualification or additional something which would show their competancy in rabbit treatment not jsut for minor things but for all illnesses then this would help new owners find a competant vet for example if i did not have the vet we do for chelsea i do not think she would have survived the myxi,

4 How many rabbits do you care for?
over the years have had 6 rabbits currently owning 3 2 whom live with me and 1 who lives at my mums soon to be bonded, all my rabbits are garden rabbits but they have large hutches and free run of garden or confinement to large hutch and large run when applicable.

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?
The vet at my nearest practice has gone on an exchange scheme and his replacement is scared of rabbits. When we took Bertie for his VHD, he (Berts) was fretting a bit. Rather than calm him or reassure him, this vet said " I'm just gonna stand back and chill out until he calms down".

We also pointed out a bald patch that was on his shoulder. the vet said 'I don't know what that is' then sold me some drops, saying "If it's fleas, at least these will eliminate that, but I really don't know"
He wouldn't tell us what they were, or how to administer them. he just said "I'm giving this treatment, read the label" When i asked if it was drops, ointment or what?, he replied "it's all on the label"
I wouldn't let him near Bertie again

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?
As a result of the incident above, we took him for a second opinion as i didn't want to administer drops that were unneccesary. This vet took a sample, put him under a UV light, diagnosed mites, gave him the jabs, completely reassured us, and even phoned us up with the results of the sample (to check for fungus), to tell us it was OK.
We've swapped his care to this practice.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?
The original vet we had was bunny savvy, and we were so pleased to have a good vet down the road. The second vet at this practice was so unconfident in his handling and knowledge that I believe he would be harmful to rabbits with particular problems that may be misdaignosed, or not advised about.
The new vet has assured us that small animals aer their speciality, and the way they have diagnosed, treated and handled Bertie is evidence of that.
The way they have handled us is very reassuring.

4 How many rabbits do you care for? 1

Good luck with the study

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names)
There was one at my practice that was rough with one of mine and made him lame, and also made his claw bleed when clipping. This made me uneasy that maybe they didn't know enough. On the other hand there is a vet at the same practice that is specifically rabbit and poultry trained so I feel more confident seeing him.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)
I changed practices because a) it was much nearer so I could walk there with my buns and b) they have a much better out of hours emergency service and will come out to your house so I feel confident that there is always help on the end of the phone.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)
Overall fairly good, although they do have a tendency to treat you like a bit of a simpleton :roll: SOme don't seem to be aware of side affects to vaccines or give credence to the knowledge that you may have as an owner.

4 How many rabbits do you care for? 4

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?
I would not use any vet that I hadn't previously checked out. I would not use a vet if I did not believe they knew about rabbits - emergency vets included. I would go and find another. I trust all vets at my practice.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?
I would keep with my existing vet if I moved house in reasonable distance and I have to say It would also be a consideration of where I moved - I would have to know there was a good rabbit savvy vet close enough.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)
I am very lucky my veterinary practice are not only rabbit savvy but also very keen to learn and embrace any info I have - such as now getting Lapinject in for me. My vet also saw me without an appointment first thing on a Monday morning when I just turned up because I had a rescue come in in a a very bad way - they even bough it another vet who had a day off to treat her.

4 How many rabbits do you care for?
My own 4 plus various rescue and fosters that pass through my house from time to time.

If anyone in my area would like to use them PM me - I cannot recommend them highly enough

This is a very timely thread I've posted asking for recommendations for rabbit aware vets in the birmingham area.

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?
Yes, in my first practice one vet knew less about rabbits than I did and could not answer questions about his care

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?
Yes, my first vet told me my rabbit had tooth spurs but no ulceration and trimmed his teeth. When he did not improve I asked for a second opinion and was sent to a different practice. When they examined thumper they could find no evidence that any teeth had been deburred as they were still pronounced, and he also had have severe ulceration that had not occurred in the 3 days since his original dental op.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)
I am still not sure that the vet I am now seeing is totally rabbit savvy as they have given both VHD & myxi vaccines together rather than two weeks apart which I reading here is the normal recommendation.

4 How many rabbits do you care for?
I have 2 rabbits

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names)
If the vet did not have a caring and compassionate attitude. Also if they did not have a detailed knowledge of rabbit care.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)
I would absolutely change vets if the vet did not have a caring attitude. Also if i felt they did not have substantial knowledge of bunnies.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)
My experiences have been extremely positive after just going through a spate of veterinary visits. The vet has been caring and compassionate and has done all he could to help and advise.

4 How many rabbits do you care for?
I care for four bunnies.

We want to hear both horror stories and inspirational ones too so do'nt hold back...have your say before any protocol is set. Your experiences may make a difference to how a large veterinary chain see's and deals maybe with your rabbit(s) and hopefully for the better.
When i had to have my two girls spayed, one was fine but the other reacted badly to the anisthetic. I took her back the following day and he was very caring and concerned. i think some vets make you feel that you are making a fuss over nothing. He did what he had to do and said if I needed anything to just ring. She got over that and then she proceeded to rip her stitiches out a total of three times! She had to be put under again and obviously I was very scared about that but he put my mind at ease and said he would use a different anisthetic. Finally, Penny left her stitches in long enough for them to heal! The vet was wonderful through all of this and I think he saw Penny as a bit of a challenge! He always looks forward to seeing her now! I think they have a special bond!

rspcarabbits said:

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names)

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)

4 How many rabbits do you care for?


Alan.

Click to expand...

I have 3 vets at my practise and until recently would only let one of them near my animals. the others were respectively too rough with my rabbit, wouldn't treat her for something simple without a GA (because they weren't confident about handling her) and the other vet didn't value rabbits as much as cats/dogs - I was told she should be PTS (she lived another 2 yrs in good health) However the last time I went I saw a new vet who was knowledgeable and gentle, so I feel quite confident about seeing this one again now as well as my original favourite

I would change vet practices if I didn't have a vet prepared to listen to me, discuss treatment with me and explain their decisions to me. I ask a lot of questions and know a fair bit about rabbit medicine, so if my vet had a problem with that I would have a problem with them. The only reason I've done so much research though is because I'm aware of how little vets learn about rabbits during training - I make sure the vets I use have updated skills and been to small animal conferences since qualifying, because rabbit medicine has really come on in the past 5 years alone - updating skills should be compulsory.

I have 5 rabbits now as I had one PTS last month with heart disease. My biggest problem isn't with rabbits it's with guinea pigs. If vets know less than they should about rabbits, they know next to nothing about guinea pigs. It's hard to find a vet that can neuter guinea pigs, or do a dental without anaesthetic. If I have a problem out of hours it's even worse - locum vets generally know nothing about piggies and little about rabbits, although this isn't the rule as they do vary, but in the past I've had to take guinea pig home and go online to find out what's wrong as the vet didn't know.

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names)

My vet is currently expanding their premises. They are getting an area where dog kennels will be and an area for small furries. If I had a choice of vets with and without this, I would be more likely to go for the one who has considered the needs of small animals being kept away form predator types.

My vet is excellent and will seek second opinions / advise if required and listens to us when we ask for certain things ... like taking animal partners in when one is ill.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)

Bad experience when I used to foster for another rescue. A vet who handed me back a REW whose face was convered in blood post dental / neuter and gave me insturctions without looking at me. Another vetinary surgery who left me waiting in the reception area and saw another client before me when I had a rabbit who was in status epilepticus.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)

Current vet good, others make it obvious that it is not a 'normal' family pet.

4 How many rabbits do you care for?

It depends on how many I am fostering.

As a veterinary nurse, I am also interested in reading people's responses on here... I work at a 1 vet practice, and rabbits aren't his strong point if I'm honest! Although he does accept that owners consider rabbits to be as much as part of the family as cats and dogs are. He knows basic rabbit medicine, and often asks me for treatment advice when necessary, as I used to work at an exotics practice and have a lot of experience with rabbit medicine.


1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?
Yes, I would not use a vet who I didn't trust enough with rabbits. Luckily in my career I get to know vets well before letting them near my bunnies.

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)
No, I haven't yet, but I could fully understand why clients would prefer to see a rabbit savvy vet. One of my bunnies was recently poorly, and I took it to my previous place of work for treatment instead of my current place of work.

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)
I agree with other comments on here - a lot of vets don't consider rabbits to be as "important" as cats or dogs, but I have found that once they realise how much owners care for the rabbits, their attitude can also change. I have made the vet at my practice much more understandable about rabbits since I joined.

4 How many rabbits do you care for?
Only 2 now, I lost poor Jeremy yesterday

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet?(and remember please no names)

Yes an older vet at my practice has i feel basic knowlegde of rabbits that is not up to date and he would prescribe baytril for anything

2.Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good and bad?(and again no names please)

I always take my rabbits to the vet with some knowledge of what is wrong with them through researching before if possible so if i felt the vet did not know the problen or did not know how to treat it i would go to another vets

3.What are your personal experiences of vets in relation to rabbits?(and again no names please)

Some younger vets i think are much more educated in rabbit health as they visit confrences but oder ones have less knowlegde

4 How many rabbits do you care for?

6

1. Is there any reason you would or would not use any particular individual vet? (and remember please no names)

I most definately would not use a vet on a regular basis who did not have a good knowledge of rabbit health and care. I am very lucky in that my regular vet is brilliant with rabbits and I trust her judgement totally.

2. Have you or would you change veterinary practices for a particular reason both good or bad?

I initially changed practices so that I would see this particular vet. If or when she ever moves on, I will most certainly search for another rabbit savy vet and I will be prepared to travel.

3. What are your personal experience of vets in relation to rabbit?( and again no names please)

I absolutely dread it if my vet is away or in an emergency and I have to go to the hospital and see a locum. Mainly because I always seem to have bad experiences with them, and I come away feeling frustrated and thinking I have wasted my time and money, and could have, and should have dealt with the problem differently. My last bad experience was in an emergency, my rabbit was very poorly and needed to be PTS, the duty vet couldn't find a vein and so did it through the stomach - I hate myself for putting her through that, and wished I'd stopped it happening, but I wasn't thinking straight as I was too upset at losing her.

4. How many rabbits do you care for?

Two at the moment