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Vet Questions about Spaying U/D another question post 8

chloeturner

Warren Veteran
Wasn't sure where to put this so here it is.

Getting Lola spayed sometime in the next month. I'm not going back to the same vets I took Misty to, looking back they seemed pretty clueless about most rabbity things so I'm going to a different vet with a better reputation. I took Lola there for her vaccs and was impressed with the way the vet nurse handled Lola, and even let her explore the room whilst sorting the vaccs out.

So, I want to email some questions (not confident enough on the phone) about how they routinely neuter their rabbits.

I know I read somewhere that you should ask if the airways are maintained during surgery and if they say no then run a mile, but what other important questions are there to ask? I didn't do this with Misty, and I should have done, but we live and learn and I want things to go right this time. I don't want to lose her 6 weeks after surgery like I did Misty, and will feel better if I ask some questions.

Cheers in advance :wave:
 
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:lol:

Does it look bad if I list this questions or should I put the questions in sentences? :?

"Dear <Surgery>

I have a few questions regarding neutering and spaying of rabbits, as I plan to have one of mine spayed in the coming months. I hope you don't find this rude, but I have listed the questions below, if you could possibly answer them and come back to me in due course, I would be most appreciative.

<QUESTIONS>


</QUESTIONS>

Many Thanks

Chloe"
 
Ok, well I sent emails to 2 vets and one has replied as of yet, copy and pasted below are my questions and their answers

1 Do you recommend speying/neutering rabbits?
2 Do you recommend fasting a rabbit before an operation (such as a neuter)?
3 How many rabbits do you (on average) neuter/spey per year and what is the success rate of the operations?
4 Do you have any exotic (rabbit) specialist vets or have contact with any?
5 Is a gut stimulant given after the operation?
6 Are the airways maintained during the operation?
7 Are internal sutures used to close the wound, and what material is the suture made of?
8 Will I be given pain relief to give my rabbit at home after the operation?



1. It depends on the circumstances however we do offer a pre-operative check up with the vet beforehand. This is free of charge and gives the vet the opportunity to assess the risks and benefits and discuss them with you. Females have a high cancer risk if left unspayed
2. No, never
3. Over the last 2 years we have done 1-2 spays a year with a 100% success rate, 4-6 dentals with a 90% success rate purely on rabbits.
4. We do not have a specialist but are able to refer to a specialist if needed.
5. Yes we give Metoclopramide as a gut stimulant.
6. Usually if intubation is possible.
7. Yes with vicryl rapide and skin glue if needed.
8. If needed, however you would be able to collect some if needed.

Opinions?
 
Ok, well I sent emails to 2 vets and one has replied as of yet, copy and pasted below are my questions and their answers

1 Do you recommend speying/neutering rabbits?
2 Do you recommend fasting a rabbit before an operation (such as a neuter)?
3 How many rabbits do you (on average) neuter/spey per year and what is the success rate of the operations?
4 Do you have any exotic (rabbit) specialist vets or have contact with any?
5 Is a gut stimulant given after the operation?
6 Are the airways maintained during the operation?
7 Are internal sutures used to close the wound, and what material is the suture made of?
8 Will I be given pain relief to give my rabbit at home after the operation?



1. It depends on the circumstances however we do offer a pre-operative check up with the vet beforehand. This is free of charge and gives the vet the opportunity to assess the risks and benefits and discuss them with you. Females have a high cancer risk if left unspayed
2. No, never
3. Over the last 2 years we have done 1-2 spays a year with a 100% success rate, 4-6 dentals with a 90% success rate purely on rabbits.
4. We do not have a specialist but are able to refer to a specialist if needed.
5. Yes we give Metoclopramide as a gut stimulant.
6. Usually if intubation is possible.
7. Yes with vicryl rapide and skin glue if needed.
8. If needed, however you would be able to collect some if needed.

Opinions?

Really? (to the bolded bit). If that is the case and they have said years rather than weeks, I would run a mile.

Also, whereabouts are you? Maybe someone might be able to recommend a trusted vet local to you.

I'm not sure how well those questions stand alone without more info abotu a surgery and the practice and how it works, if I'm honest. I think both sets of questions Gray linked to would need to be asked.

I'd also want to know about criteria for sending a rabbit home, post op care, their views on fluids post op, how the animals are looked after before and after surgery at the vets practice, what procedures are if a rabbit needs emergency care, etc.
 
Really? (to the bolded bit). If that is the case and they have said years rather than weeks, I would run a mile.

Also, whereabouts are you? Maybe someone might be able to recommend a trusted vet local to you.

I'm not sure how well those questions stand alone without more info abotu a surgery and the practice and how it works, if I'm honest. I think both sets of questions Gray linked to would need to be asked.

I'd also want to know about criteria for sending a rabbit home, post op care, their views on fluids post op, how the animals are looked after before and after surgery at the vets practice, what procedures are if a rabbit needs emergency care, etc.

Thanks for the reply, I'm in the Mansfield area, I have posted a thread asking before but never got any replies so I'm doing the leg work!

They've always been very nice and are alright for vaccinations etc, but I would ideally like to have a good vet for such things. To be honest, I think that says more about owners than the vets themselves, there are a lot more irresponsible owners who buns will never see a vet.

Back to the drawing board!
 
Anyone have experience with Vets4pets?

Vets4pets is now part of the companion care chain and it will vary a lot depending on the individual practice (it's a bit like a franchise where it is 'owned' by the individual vet) so it would depend what branch. Several people here use the Gamston one but that would probably be a bit far.

I wonder if it's worth clarifying the number of spays as that could be an error, it does sound as if they're pretty clued up, but 1-2 a year really isn't many! If that's a genuine number but everywhere else is similar, then I wouldn't write them off completely.
 
Thanks for the reply, some of the vets, in fact most, in my area do not have email addresses, do you think maybe if I wrote letters and included stamped and addressed envelopes, that they would get back to me? If it seems the norm for my area then I might reconsider but if I can find a more experienced then great.
 
I know you said you didn't like to phone, but what if you printed the list and went through it question by question? Or do you have a good friend or relative who would phone for you? All the replies seemed ok, apart from the number of spays. And as you said, that could be down to people in your area not being good bunny owners! Hope you sort something out.:wave:
 
I wouldn't be confident enough to call myself, my mum wouldn't ring and my other half is worse than me where phones are concerned:lol:
 
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