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Rabbit savvy vet help

S

sillyrabbit

Wise Old Thumper
My vet died recently, and I'm having trouble getting information when I ring up my surgery on what other vets specialise in rabbit care. I just got told they are all good with rabbits, which is absolute **** :roll: Does anyone know the name of the qualification that has been taken that would be a rabbit savvy vet so I can phone back with some criteria?

Literally sat here in tears
 
i searched RCVS exotic vet online and it came up with a pdf file which i saved somewhere....let me see if i can find it!!
 
Thanks for that. There is only one person in my area on that and he works at the zoo

When people are talking about and recommending these rabbit savvy vets on here then are they people from that list? It doesn't seem very long. I'm so confused it's unreal, my head is pounding, I have a sick rabbit and no idea what to do :( Why is it so difficult to see a competent vet when rabbits are so common
 
There are a couple of exotic vets at my practice not on that list so I don't think its exhaustive, just those with a specific qualification? Whereabouts are you based? It is so frustrating that there are so few competent bunny vets!!
 
I really feel for you sillyrabbit - it's so distressing when your bun is poorly & it's such a struggle to find a decent vet. There is practically no input about rabbits during vet training unless you do exotics - thats how I heard it was, I really hope its changing. It makes me really mad - the amount of vets I've seen that appear to know less than me (who doesn't know that much) is frightening.

I believe exotic vets will have had more training . I'm not sure about qualifications - I think frances Harcourt-Brown became the only rabbit specialist through doing her research, studies etc. I very much hope you find another good vet you are confident with soon
 
sillyrabbit said:
Thanks for that. There is only one person in my area on that and he works at the zoo

When people are talking about and recommending these rabbit savvy vets on here then are they people from that list? It doesn't seem very long. I'm so confused it's unreal, my head is pounding, I have a sick rabbit and no idea what to do :( Why is it so difficult to see a competent vet when rabbits are so common
Click to expand...

No, those are exotics vets. There are rabbity vets around that aren't necessarily so good with reptiles, birds etc.

I think I'd just take a chance if I were in your position, and be on 'high alert' with the vet, be prepared to question etc.

Good luck x
 
So i need to find a vet who has studies rabbits in particular or exotic animals in general, I can't figure out how to identify these vets

I can phone that surgery and enquire if they have any vets who can help me, but the receptionists I've already spoken to today all don't seem to understand what I'm asking and are talking to me like I'm a ******* idiot telling me all the vets can see my rabbit :cry: thanks hun, I originally didn't go with then because I hasn't heard great things about there facilities but will phone and ask, thank you for taking the time to look x
 
I don't think there are many vets who actually specialise in rabbits, if any (other than Edinburgh?). For me, I'd be wanting a vet surgery that sees a lot of rabbits, so they have a fair bit of experience. As we know, a lot of people don't bother taking small pets to the vets, so this adds to the problem of the vets not having much experience.

If it were me, I'd be looking for a vet with a 'special interest' in small pets, rather than a specific qualification. This at least means that they are hopefully doing a lot of reading/researching into the latest findings etc.

Does this vets have a website?
 
SarahP said:
No, those are exotics vets. There are rabbity vets around that aren't necessarily so good with reptiles, birds etc.

I think I'd just take a chance if I were in your position, and be on 'high alert' with the vet, be prepared to question etc.

Good luck x
Click to expand...

The only vet I am able to see today at my practice is the same one who just flat out refused to prescribe any medication, telling me my rabbit hadn't urinated all over herself I apparently just needed to keep her hutch clean, even when I complained afterwards he insist he was correct and my rabbits hutch must be dirty and she wasn't sick! despite the fact my rabbit lives in a clean bedroom and has her trays changed daily. It ended in a massive argument in the waiting room and with me having to call out my usual vet, who wasn't even working that night, to come and look at her. I don't seem able to get in with anyone else except him, I refuse to chance taking them both all the way there to see that particular vet and they are telling me there is no way I can see anyone else as only he is there apparently

I'm just going to have to pick a new surgery and chance a vet elsewhere

Thanks for the advice guys x
 
Yes, I'd definitely try a different surgery, given that you know you don't rate the other vet. Can't be any worse, hopefully, and you might find a good one.

Let us know how it goes. x
 
SarahP said:
I don't think there are many vets who actually specialise in rabbits, if any (other than Edinburgh?). For me, I'd be wanting a vet surgery that sees a lot of rabbits, so they have a fair bit of experience. As we know, a lot of people don't bother taking small pets to the vets, so this adds to the problem of the vets not having much experience.

If it were me, I'd be looking for a vet with a 'special interest' in small pets, rather than a specific qualification. This at least means that they are hopefully doing a lot of reading/researching into the latest findings etc.

Does this vets have a website?
Click to expand...

Thanks hun, that is really useful xx
 
I would contact a local rescue and maybe see where they recommend

Or ask the vet if they would provide take-home pain relief following a general anaesthetic and how long they think metacam lasts in rabbits (they should and about 6-8 hours - it doesn't last 24 hours like in cats/dogs)
And if they intubate rabbits under GA - if they do it's a good sign. If they don't it doesn't necessarily mean rule them out

Good luck
 
I would ask different vet practices if they have any vets that have a particular interest in or specialise in rabbit/exotic medicine ('Rabbit-savvy' vets don't necessarily have a qualification). If they say they don't know what you are talking about I'd rule them out! I would ask how many small mammals they see (rabbits, gpigs, hamsters etc) as this will give an indication of their experience.

I work at a vet hospital and we are lucky enough to have two exotics vets. We neuter exotics regularly, maybe 1-3 rabbits week. I've seen them spay a bearded dragon and a guinea pig! Think that's probably ideal criteria for exotic savvy vets! :lol:
 
Thank you so much for your help guys, I have found one that sounds promising. Although actually getting in to see him has been a proper mission!
 
Whereabouts are you sillyrabbit? I can give you information from the RWAF vet list. These vets have had to satisfy our own vet Richard Saunders as to their capabilities with rabbits in order to get onto the list.

Regarding specialists, Frances Harcourt-Brown is no longer the only one, there are about 12 in the UK currently Richard is one of them. He teaches at Bristol Vet School, works at Bristol Zoo and also is a referral vet in a large Bristol practice.
 
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