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How to choose a Good Vet??

Bitzy

Mama Doe
I wonder if any of you could help advise me on how to choose a good vet??

I've had several recommendations but only 1 from someone who has bunnies! The others are from dog/cat/bird owners.

And their prices vary wildly!

One vet charges £25.70 each for vacs whereas another only charges £13.50 each.

Are there specific questions I should be asking in order to find a good vet?

And is having a 'special interest' in rabbits a good enough reason to register with them or is there some other terminology I should be looking for? (like, 'bunny expert')! lol

Thanks, Jo
 
http://www.vet2pet.co.uk/pethealth/rabbithealth/choosingavet_rabbit.asp

Alternatively, post your location in rabbit chat and another member near you might be able to offer a suggestion :wave:

ETA: From a personal point of view I would want a vet who 'likes rabbits', is willing to answer questions in a consult, and who is polite and friendly - tableside manner goes a long way. Clinically a vet who uses post-operative pain relief, understands the urgency and treatment for GI stasis/bloat, has good equipment on site (Xrays, blood tests etc) and who uses proper dental equipment (and not pliers! as I have once experienced sadly).
 
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An exotic vet is a good idea....more likely to have done birdies and bunnies.:wave:
Ask a few questions of the actual practice.Go in and ask how many buns on the books, how many bunny GAs, that sort of thing perhaps??
I asked my regular vet for an exotic vets number..they gave me one, and I went to visit.The next thing my vets know is Im leaving them to go elsewhere!! Its your perogative to choose which vet you think will suit your needs.
I think an exotic vet may be a bit more pricey...maybe not.Areas count...I find my vet gives me discount when I take the whole brood in......:wave:
 
Hi! :wave:

Google local rabbit rescue centre near you & contact them - ask them who they use to treat all their buns!

I called around loads of vets & also got confused! I ended up contacting a rabbit rescue centre who has been so helpful with advising a vet! They have even emailed me more that are further afield in case I needed another in an emergency etc!

One thing thats important is about the neutering & spaying - make sure they are experienced - their success rates & how many rabbits they see - a good vet sees alot of rabbits - maybe 10 a week!

Another thing is their out of hours emergency service. Many vets are unable to finance this & you end up driving to another surgery thats unfamiliar & also they dont always have your rabbits history - if this is the case - ask if the emergency centre has access to their files - so if need be the emergency vet is able to access your rabbits history. if they say they dont do this - ask what happens in this situation.

I have found a vet thats a good half hour drive away with 2 surgerys - BUT one of the centres is a 24 hour hospital for emergencys....they have vets on a rota ....but at least my buns history is there & I dont have to go to somewhere I dont know PLUS they are expereince with buns - the most important thing!

You can check if the rabbit savvy vet will be on call or is it a rota too & the other vets experience etc. I thought that in an emergency you may have to travel a good half hour anyway if your vet surgery out of hours is at another surgery SO check that - also make sure you do a trial run so in an emergency you know where you are going & you dont get lost.

Make sure the emergency vet ( if sent to another surgery) is rabbit savy - you can call & check.

You can always go to the nearest vet if its a matter of life & death & cant travel....

Good luck!:D
 
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