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Vet Care Etiquette

ShivyRex

Mama Doe
Hi all

Quick question and opinions please?

I was with a veterinary surgery for my buns care since 2006 but have recently changed to one much closer to home (2 min drive) mainly because the vaccinations are half the price of those at my former vets which makes a lot of difference when you have 4 bunnies.

I have a problem in that one of my buns is having some issues (suspected heart problem). I took her to my new vets but they were useless (they do specialise in farm animals and horses so I was weary). She is due her vaccinations in 4 weeks time. I want to take her back to original vets to investigate the problem as they are more rabbit savvy and I have some more confidence in them. However I want her to get her vaccs at the new surgery as I am saving myself £30!

So my question - is it bad etiquette to go to one veterinary surgery for vaccs and the other for medical treatment? I am more than happy to admit to my original vets why I am going to the new vets (cos vaccs are cheaper) but could they refuse to treat Alice because of this?

I don't know what to do - maybe I will just have to pay the more expensive price for vaccs at the original vets just to make sure she is treated but I do begrudge it when clearly thir prices are extortionate!!

Thanks peeps
 
I'm glad you asked this. I was thinking this too. The vets local to me, less than a 5minute walk is cheaper for vaccs but I don't really trust their level of care.

Whereas another vets which is further away is absolutely brilliant but their prices in general are extremely high.

I'd be interested to hear peoples opinions.

I hope your buns alright though, vibes!
 
I was in the vets the other day and someone was doing this with their cat. They were talking to the receptionist and the receptionist said "so you're not having the vaccs here, you're going to...(can't remember where) but we're booking you in for a follow up for the..."
So it seemed that they took the dog to my vets for healthcare but went elsewhere for vaccinations because it was cheaper.
I don't think they're likely to get personally offended, but will want to know to update their records. The receptionist also wanted to know how much they were and which ones were included, probably to report back!
 
Personally I would only consider doing it AFTER discussing it with the origional Vet. What if there were problems after the vaccine was given ? who would you want to treat the Rabbit(s) then...........

Also, would you really trust that the non Rabbit savvy Vet was capable of doing a health check on the Rabbits before sticking the vaccination in them................
 
I don't think it's bad. A lot of the rescues on here seem to use different vets for different procedures. At the end of the day, you're paying so you can spend your money where you like. The vet might not like it much but they won't say anything as any custom from you is probably welcome.

I normally use a very expensive vet but I used a different one for Cloud's spey the week before last (she had an RSPCA voucher which I couldn't use at my own vet). This new vet is so much cheaper - Cloud's spey would have been £60 if I hadn't had the voucher but at my own vet, it would have been £90. :shock: I didn't like the new vet much but then I've complained a lot about the old vet being useless too.

I'm now a bit torn as my regular vet are expensive but they are willing to try new things, listen to my ideas and do as I ask them. The new vet is cheap but they didn't do a blood test for Cloud even though I'd asked them to. Against my better judgement, I have Brian booked in the cheaper vet for neutering on wednesday. I think I might start using the cheaper vet for routine things like vaccinating and my expensive vet for more complex problems.

I'm not going to feel bad about it either. At the end of the day, I'll be saving money on vet bills that I can put towards buying the bunnies new toys and stuff. :):wave:
 
I see what you're saying Jane. My intention was to get Alice checked at old vets this week - so before the vaccs were due - and inform them that vaccs are due in 4 weeks and ask whether to hold off depending on their findings.

I have taken my other buns to new vets for vaccs and check up (different vets each time though) and they do exactly the same checks as my old vet. I don't personally have any qualms re: general bunny ailments with new vets (stasis, teeth, claw trimming and vaccs) but when it gets more complicated/less obvious issues it seem the particular vet I saw didn't have a clue.

I will make an appointment at the old vets for this week and see where we go. I will inform new vets when/if I take her back in 3 weeks for another weigh in that I have seeked a second opinion and whatever treatment we've given etc.

It's rather complicated and I don't mean to be a scrooge but if this turn into something serious for Alice then it could be a costly few months.
 
I prefer to get our vaccs done by our rabbit savvy vet. This way they get a good, thorough check up. At my old vets (which was actually more expensive for vaccs so not a huge decision for us!!) they'd just check lungs and heart and that was it. Not teeth check, eye check, ear check; our new vet even checks their fur.
 
I prefer to get our vaccs done by our rabbit savvy vet. This way they get a good, thorough check up. At my old vets (which was actually more expensive for vaccs so not a huge decision for us!!) they'd just check lungs and heart and that was it. Not teeth check, eye check, ear check; our new vet even checks their fur.

I agree with this, as if you have a healthy bun vaccinations might be the only time your rabbits see a vet. So they will know what your rabbit looks like when he/she is healthy, and they might pick up on signs you havent in a thorough check.

I also think that a vet who doesnt know as much about rabbits might not vaccinate correctly - they might not do the 10% with the myxi that I've seen mentioned on another thread, or might use Cylap when some people prefer Lapinject.

It is your decision though I can totally understand why you would want to save money on vaccinations etc. :)
 
I would lie and tell them you get the vaccinations done at the other place because they are closer and more convenient and the vaccinations are pretty simply but that you go to their place for anything serious because you know how good they are.
 
I would lie and tell them you get the vaccinations done at the other place because they are closer and more convenient and the vaccinations are pretty simply but that you go to their place for anything serious because you know how good they are.

That's not really a lie in my books. It's the truth. The price factor is just another pull factor to my local one for vaccs :lol:
 
Our vets wouldn't do this. Proper vets would ask the original vet for the animal's history and if owners dot between to two, our vets would see it as unethical- technically I don't think they are allowed to treat animals registered with another vet unless it is an emergency.
Our vets will contact the priginal vet , if for example the owner is on hloiday to make sure it is OK and will inform the original vet if they treat and animal during an emergency.
 
Yes, I know that when I changed vets for my guinea pigs the new vets requested the records of my pets so that they knew which treatments to give.

I would be wary about chopping and changing for different procedures.
 
Hi

It's entirely up to you where you take your bunnies and for what. The vets certainly can't refuse to treat your animals because you go elsewhere for routine vaccinations.

The only thing I would say is when you get vaccinations done you aren't just paying for the vaccs, it should be a full bunny mot too which is very important to pick up early signs of problems (such as the potential heart problem) so perhaps the cheaper vaccs price at the closer vets reflects the level of attention your bunny is getting during the check up. Also I suspect that if they aren't bunny savvy they probably won't administer the myxi vaccine correctly meaning you've pretty much wasted your money anyway!!

So after rambling on a bit what i'm trying to say not very well on a sunday after a long weekend is: you tend to get what you pay for and it's entirely up to you as a consumer to take your business where you choose but for continuity it can be best to stick to one vet you trust even if the price can be a bit eye watering!

Hope that helps.
Jo:)
 
It seems to be the other way round for me, the local vets charges £38 for a myxi and didn't even know a rabbit could be neutered :shock: whereas the vet I go to now charges £15 and is very bunny savvy.

I do agree that you should be able to go to whichever vet you want as you see fit but I wouldnt change midway through a treatment or anything..... and I think you'll have to tell your vet or they'll be concerned because you aren't vaccinating.
 
My vets wouldn't see somebody just for vaccines and then have the owner going elsewhere for other work- or vice versa. They do take in referrals, but would only treat otheriwse if an emergency or if animal was up here on holiday.
Vets are perfectly within their rights to refuse treatment, just like any other business- except in an emergancy.
 
Thanks peeps - this is what I wanted to clarify.

Just for the record the cheaper vets have given full bunny MOT (ears, teeth, fur, eyes, tummy, heart & lungs) and they have administered the Mxyi vaccine correctly on all occassions - they actually make a point of saying it when they do it.

I know the vets would ask for the details from the newer vets and this is what I thought would cause some issues. I will certainly mention to the original vets that I have moved to the other practice because of cost and that I am going to them for a second opinion on Alice's current situation and see what they say. If I have to keep Alice with them, including Vaccs, and keep my other buns and Chui (cat) with new vets then thats what I'll do. I won't compromise her health and a diagnosis for £30. But it the long run it does add up as I am sure you all appreciate.

I will make an appointment for sometime early this week and let you know if I have any issues.

Thanks all xx
 
I agree with this, as if you have a healthy bun vaccinations might be the only time your rabbits see a vet. So they will know what your rabbit looks like when he/she is healthy, and they might pick up on signs you havent in a thorough check.

I also think that a vet who doesnt know as much about rabbits might not vaccinate correctly - they might not do the 10% with the myxi that I've seen mentioned on another thread, or might use Cylap when some people prefer Lapinject.

It is your decision though I can totally understand why you would want to save money on vaccinations etc. :)

What is this 10% with myxi vac? Sorry for being a little slow.:oops:
 
What is this 10% with myxi vac? Sorry for being a little slow.:oops:

From the Vaccine Data Sheet:

The contents of one vial of reconstituted vaccine should be injected into rabbits of 6 weeks of age or older. The nature of the virus is such that, in order to achieve best protection, 0.1 ml of each dose (10% of each dose) of the reconstituted vaccine should be administered by intradermal injection.

The intradermal injection (the 10% part) is best administered in the relatively thick skin on the dorsal aspect at the base of the ear, using a 25g x 5/8″ needle and may be achieved by partial needle withdrawal following the subcutaneous injection. Alternatively, the subcutaneous injection can be given at a more commonly used site e.g. in the scruff of the neck.

Sterile equipment should be used for administration. Avoid contamination of vaccine with traces of chemical sterilising agents. Do not use chemicals such as disinfectants or spirit to disinfect the skin prior to inoculation.
 
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Here's an interesting take: As your rabbit savvy vet if he can match the price, and if he said no, ask him what more do you get from him than the other guy, since he charges more
 
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