Please Note - Medical Advice
Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.
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What is the purpose of getting them identified? If it is to comply with EU quarantine regulations and is not of any relevance once the buns are in Serbia then I'd go with microchipping.Before leaving for Serbia I need to have both buns either microchipped or tattooed - does anyone have any experience with this, and which one is less painful for the rabbits?
What is the purpose of getting them identified? If it is to comply with EU quarantine regulations and is not of any relevance once the buns are in Serbia then I'd go with microchipping.
However, if it is to securely identify the buns once they are in Serbia then I would find out whether Serbia is well equipped with scanners for the purpose. Certainly, up until the last 7 years or so, France wasn't particularly well-equipped with scanners and the preferred mode of identification was a visible tattoo. For a lost animal, vets looked for a tattoo and didn't automatically scan. Incidentally, tattoos in the ear didn't cause any of our 5 cats any discomfort and no scabbing at all. It was done when they were neutered / spayed so under GA.
But also relevant is whether the buns are ever likely to come to the UK. If that were so and if rabbits fall under the rabies quarantine regulations (I don't know that they do) I'm not sure whether tattoos would be considered acceptable identification by DEFRA anymore. I'm pretty sure that microchips are the only acceptable identification now for cats and dogs (and ferrets!)
So, depending on the purpose of the identification, the system most practical for your longer-term needs is also worth researching - if you haven't already done so. And I'm sure you have!
Whatever form of id you go with, remember to register the id with any relevant database in Serbia otherwise if the buns escaped, the microchip would still be registered to you in the Ukraine.
On this topic, I was just wondering if many get their buns microchipped?
I don't have anything to add other than what has already been said. Thank you Tatihou for your post, very informative.
It really depends on the owner, but there are a fair few buns on here with chips. Personally I've never chipped mine but they've been indoor bunnies and less likely to escape - if I had outside buns I would chip them in case they escaped or were stolen.
Yes, that's what I was wondering - my two are house buns, but do go outside sometimes in their run. Not sure then!
If I was leaving them out without supervision, I'd chip them. The only time my house buns have been outside is with me constantly supervising, in a fully walled garden. If I had a run for them I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Alleycat, I'm glad your chipping went well. I imagine it's not much different than getting a vaccination for the buns really!
Alleycat, I'm glad your chipping went well. I imagine it's not much different than getting a vaccination for the buns really!