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Filavac shortage???

binkyCodie

Mama Doe
so i'm not too pleased.

our vets changed receptionists this year and they're really not great.

when snoopy was sickly i had to argue with this lady for 15 minutes that i needed to see a vet. he hadn’t eaten for 6 hours, nor pooped, and it wasn’t gas. she literally dismissed all of my worries and told me he would be fine and i should wait until tomorrow, its not that big of a deal. dont argue with me when you know zlich about rabbits, and nothing about my rabbit. eventually she sighed and said fine. i got pretty annoyed in all honesty.

and now today, i asked her if they had filavac (the vaccine) and she told me there was no such thing. they only had nobivac. nope – you guys stock filavac.

then she goes out back and claims that there is a shortage and there is a waiting list. she then picks up this list of people needing appointments for their rabbits vaccine which is 3 pages long.

then she goes out back AGAIN and then tells me that rabbit vaccines no longer come in single files and only come in bottles, so now you have to have rabbit vaccine clinics ? you get a large bottle and a single file. and in my opinion rabbit vaccine clinics aren’t a good idea. many rabbits together, who knows what diseases the others carry. and the stress too as some people are waiting for hours...

i really thought companion care were great - their rabbit savvy vet is amazing and so caring. but the receptionists drive me up the wall.

so now i ask - IS there a shortage of filavac? cause im really not believing a word out of this ladies mouth.
 
I do occasionally hear mutterings of a shortage of filavac but I'm pretty certain that in the vast majority (if not all) cases at the moment they're muddling their vaccines and are talking about the nobivac. It sounds pretty implausible to me that they would have a 3-page waiting list for people wanting filavac but entirely plausible that they would have a 3-page waiting list for nobivac...and that also ties in with the thing of multi-dose bottles, because that is exactly how the nobivac is coming into the country at the moment while the normal vials are having production issues. I share your concerns about having rabbit vaccination clinics - I guess if all you have is a 50-dose bottle which has to be used within 4 hours, on balance, the risk of not vaccinating probably outweighs the risk of having so many bunnies at the clinic within a short space of time.

I wouldn't tar all companion care with the same brush though - it's a bit like a franchise, with each practice individually owned, so however good they are (or not as the case may be) is completely dependent on the staff at the individual practice. I use a vets4pets practice which is part of the same chain, and they are absolutely excellent with the bunnies and my other pets too :)
 
If that is the calibre of receptionist they employ, I would give that practice a wide berth. In fact, you wouldn't have seen me for dust after your first encounter. There are some very good rabbit vets out there, who take care with whom they employ and train.
 
so i'm not too pleased.

our vets changed receptionists this year and they're really not great.

when snoopy was sickly i had to argue with this lady for 15 minutes that i needed to see a vet. he hadn’t eaten for 6 hours, nor pooped, and it wasn’t gas. she literally dismissed all of my worries and told me he would be fine and i should wait until tomorrow, its not that big of a deal. dont argue with me when you know zlich about rabbits, and nothing about my rabbit. eventually she sighed and said fine. i got pretty annoyed in all honesty.

and now today, i asked her if they had filavac (the vaccine) and she told me there was no such thing. they only had nobivac. nope – you guys stock filavac.

then she goes out back and claims that there is a shortage and there is a waiting list. she then picks up this list of people needing appointments for their rabbits vaccine which is 3 pages long.

then she goes out back AGAIN and then tells me that rabbit vaccines no longer come in single files and only come in bottles, so now you have to have rabbit vaccine clinics ? you get a large bottle and a single file. and in my opinion rabbit vaccine clinics aren’t a good idea. many rabbits together, who knows what diseases the others carry. and the stress too as some people are waiting for hours...

i really thought companion care were great - their rabbit savvy vet is amazing and so caring. but the receptionists drive me up the wall.

so now i ask - IS there a shortage of filavac? cause im really not believing a word out of this ladies mouth.



Have you mentioned this to the vet?

It's likely they don't know it's going on.

I had this kind of thing (but worse - the situation was life threatening) from a *vet* at my practice. Ask for the vet/head vet to ring you back, and confirm the situation with them. Much easier than dealing with people who don't know much about rabbits. Or take your business elsewhere :)
 
Yeah I agree with that - see if you can get a message for the vet to ring you, at least that way you can clarify for sure, and it would also let them know that one of their receptionists needs more training! It might be harder if the good bunny savvy vet isn't the owner as they might not be in a position to do anything about it, but at least you can try.

Many years ago, there was a new receptionist at the practice I used to use, she told me to remember to starve my bunny overnight before surgery. I told her you didn't starve rabbits...she said oh, you'd better check with the nurse then. I went home and rang up and asked to speak to the owner who was mortified. She said they'd taught her about which animals you starve and which you don't, but clearly it hadn't sunk in. She immediately got the VN to go through the diary and ring everyone who that receptionist had booked in with an animal that shouldn't be starved, and funnily enough I think I only ever saw that receptionist on one more occasion and then she disappeared. Reception staff are the first 'face' and voice of the practice and have to be well trained!
 
I'm glad somebody understands my concern about the clinics Santa. i tried to voice concerns with a few other bunny owners and was very much pushed down lol. i just have worries about them and don't really want to place my rabbit in that sort of situation.

i do know they are a franchise but i was quite happy with them in my area... now its turned a bit sour with this lady :( i'm considering filing a complaint as this new lady really isn't so great. i once waited (with a very drowsy bunny) 20 minutes to pay. all because she was too busy chattering so some other person. she even admitted she had NO idea what the lady out the back was saying to her and she didn't understand it.

the head vet/owner isn't exactly rabbit savvy, but he does know about the risk and is aware of it. he knows a bit about every animal and can even handle any injured wild birds somebody brings in. he's well clued in. but he doesn't specialize in rabbits.

sadly i couldn't get ahold of the head vet, he was in surgery at that current time MM. i am considering ringing though, just another anxiety to try and hoop through however. maybe i will ask my mom instead. i would go to another vet, however i refuse to go to the only other one in the area (somebody i wish to have nothing to do with goes there). so only if i drive quite a way out can i head to another vet. bit of a sticky situation.
 
What about John Chitty at Anton Vets? A bit of a drive for you, but not too far, and at least you know he is rabbit-savvy.
 
Yes - there is a shortage of the vaccine. My vets are running clinics as and when the vaccine comes in as they can only get it in 50ml bottles which need using up within 4 hours of opening. My buns are on a list and will be seen in a clinic.

Of course there is always the risk of infectious rabbits being there - but the rabbits will all be secured in carriers and not in contact with each other. You take that risk every time you go to the vets anyway - there could be another rabbit waiting to be seen with an infectious disease. It's unlikely though that yours would catch anything. Personally I love the clinics - lots of bunnies and bunny chats :love:

Sorry you're having a tough time with the receptionist - obviously has no idea about rabbits and you should write a letter to the practise pointing this out as she could well give out very wrong information and advice to rabbit novices - like 'starving' the rabbit before an operation etc.
 
What about John Chitty at Anton Vets? A bit of a drive for you, but not too far, and at least you know he is rabbit-savvy.

i dont think i would driven for 70 miles! :lol:

im quite happy with the lady at the moment, Aislin. she's owned bunnies all her life and specializes in them to an extent. just this darn receptionist drives me up the wall :lol:

This from an earlier thread

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?464625-Shortage-of-Nobivac-combi-vaccine

Our vets are running a bunny clinic this weekend as they only have the 50 dose bottles too, we've got the last two appointments of the session so hopefully there won't be too many others still in the clinic. We intend to stay in the car with the buns until the last minute with my daughter checking the waiting area :)

thats for Nobivac though............. I am after Filavac for RHD2. we had Nobivac in May

Yes - there is a shortage of the vaccine. My vets are running clinics as and when the vaccine comes in as they can only get it in 50ml bottles which need using up within 4 hours of opening. My buns are on a list and will be seen in a clinic.

Of course there is always the risk of infectious rabbits being there - but the rabbits will all be secured in carriers and not in contact with each other. You take that risk every time you go to the vets anyway - there could be another rabbit waiting to be seen with an infectious disease. It's unlikely though that yours would catch anything. Personally I love the clinics - lots of bunnies and bunny chats :love:

Sorry you're having a tough time with the receptionist - obviously has no idea about rabbits and you should write a letter to the practise pointing this out as she could well give out very wrong information and advice to rabbit novices - like 'starving' the rabbit before an operation etc.

so there is a shortage for Filavac ? (i am not after Nobivac - we've had that done in May lol)

I have asked on the "RHD2 (VHD) UK Rabbit Welfare Based Information" which generally are very informative and have said there is no shortage of Filavac that she is aware of. Nobivac yeah - but I am not after that one :)

generally I just really don't enjoy the idea of clinics. I have quite bad social anxiety to say the least - and i just don't feel it to be a good idea. luna gets pretty stressed out in her crate no matter what i do (including giving her a massive stuffed seal that she cuddles with and brings food too! :lol: ). the idea of many stressed bunnies all in one small area with no idea if any of them are carrying diseases. I do know I run that risk but honestly - if i see one rabbit thats about it! they're just not something for me.

I would probably write to the vets or see if I can speak to the head vet James (who also owns the practice). he's always been helpful and concerned so im sure he would take into account what i'm saying and maybe put me in the right direction.

although I will say, i'm now a bit confused as i've now had so many different answers - is there a shortage of Filavac ? I am not after Nobivac.. Luna had her combined Myxo/RHD1 jab in may, I just need to do her RHD2 jab now.
 
i dont think i would driven for 70 miles! :lol:


so there is a shortage for Filavac ? (i am not after Nobivac - we've had that done in May lol)

I have asked on the "RHD2 (VHD) UK Rabbit Welfare Based Information" which generally are very informative and have said there is no shortage of Filavac that she is aware of. Nobivac yeah - but I am not after that one :)

generally I just really don't enjoy the idea of clinics. I have quite bad social anxiety to say the least - and i just don't feel it to be a good idea. luna gets pretty stressed out in her crate no matter what i do (including giving her a massive stuffed seal that she cuddles with and brings food too! :lol: ). the idea of many stressed bunnies all in one small area with no idea if any of them are carrying diseases. I do know I run that risk but honestly - if i see one rabbit thats about it! they're just not something for me.

I would probably write to the vets or see if I can speak to the head vet James (who also owns the practice). he's always been helpful and concerned so im sure he would take into account what i'm saying and maybe put me in the right direction.

although I will say, i'm now a bit confused as i've now had so many different answers - is there a shortage of Filavac ? I am not after Nobivac.. Luna had her combined Myxo/RHD1 jab in may, I just need to do her RHD2 jab now.

Sorry - I'm as bad as that receptionist :lol: Not sure of the situation with Filavac - had my buns booster done in May with no problems - but don't know of current situation.

If you have bad social anxiety anyway AND a stress bun - then I totally understand about the clinics - maybe you could try to be first appointment of the clinic?
 
Sorry, I thought you lived in Southampton.

don't worry! i live in Surrey, not too far from Reigate.

Sorry - I'm as bad as that receptionist :lol: Not sure of the situation with Filavac - had my buns booster done in May with no problems - but don't know of current situation.

If you have bad social anxiety anyway AND a stress bun - then I totally understand about the clinics - maybe you could try to be first appointment of the clinic?

:lol: its okay!! we're all human lol.

I can't find a shortage of Filavac.. so i presume the receptionist doesn't understand what i was talking about. she pretty much told me i was a liar and that i didnt know what i was talking about. this was when i tried to disagree with her that there was no Filavac shortage.. and supposedly there was training yesterday morning about the two diseases and vaccines for rabbits! :roll: obviously its just going over her head.

I'll call the vets later today after my appointment and ask them for clarification. maybe i get get the one who knows what shes doing lol.
 
A vaccination clinic should feel no different to an ordinary vet appointment, depending on how it's organised.

I went to a Nobivac clinic where they were using the multi-dose vial last year and sat in an empty waiting room for 20 minutes then someone came out with 2 carriers which they took straight to the car, then came back in to pay. When I came out of the consultation there was someone with a dog waiting to see the other vet.... just like a normal vet appointment. They still make appointments (if they have any sense!) and, even with my vets who are rabbit specialists, they couldn't use all 50 doses in one clinic so the people who were booked were fairly spread out.

I could see it as an issue when it was a case of the RHD2 vaccine first entering the country but when it's booster vaccinations and the odd initial vaccination I'm not too worried about it. It has been normal state of play for me to sit in a waiting room with quite a lot of other rabbits when booked with the rabbit specialst, and as with the details in Fellie's post, I see the risks as extremely minimal.
 
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" don't worry! i live in Surrey, not too far from Reigate. "

Just a bit from far Andover then! :lol:
 
A vaccination clinic should feel no different to an ordinary vet appointment, depending on how it's organised.

I went to a Nobivac clinic where they were using the multi-dose vial last year and sat in an empty waiting room for 20 minutes then someone came out with 2 carriers which they took straight to the car, then came back in to pay. When I came out of the consultation there was someone with a dog waiting to see the other vet.... just like a normal vet appointment. They still make appointments (if they have any sense!) and, even with my vets who are rabbit specialists, they couldn't use all 50 doses in one clinic so the people who were booked were fairly spread out.

I could see it as an issue when it was a case of the RHD2 vaccine first entering the country but when it's booster vaccinations and the odd initial vaccination I'm not too worried about it. It has been normal state of play for me to sit in a waiting room with quite a lot of other rabbits when booked with the rabbit specialst, and as with the details in Fellie's post, I see the risks as extremely minimal.

I suffer from extreme anxiety and a very stressy bun. the pair of us together doesn't really work too well lol. they are holding a vaccination clinic and there was 3 pages of rabbits needing to be seen. it was a morning clinic being held. either way, that's a lot of rabbits and a lot of people around.

for me, that many people and rabbits with no idea of who is carrying what of diseases, its quite a bit risk in my eyes.

I think generally I'm going to have to agree to disagree on the bunny clinics as I do not personally like the idea of them myself and would not want to attend one - for my own personal reasons :)

" don't worry! i live in Surrey, not too far from Reigate. "

Just a bit from far Andover then! :lol:

a bit yeah! :lol:
 
I suffer from extreme anxiety and a very stressy bun. the pair of us together doesn't really work too well lol. they are holding a vaccination clinic and there was 3 pages of rabbits needing to be seen. it was a morning clinic being held. either way, that's a lot of rabbits and a lot of people around.

for me, that many people and rabbits with no idea of who is carrying what of diseases, its quite a bit risk in my eyes.


I think generally I'm going to have to agree to disagree on the bunny clinics as I do not personally like the idea of them myself and would not want to attend one - for my own personal reasons :)


I do see where you're coming from. It's not always the case that there's an empty waiting room and loads of time between consults. I haven't found that to be the case.
 
I suffer from extreme anxiety and a very stressy bun. the pair of us together doesn't really work too well lol. they are holding a vaccination clinic and there was 3 pages of rabbits needing to be seen. it was a morning clinic being held. either way, that's a lot of rabbits and a lot of people around.

for me, that many people and rabbits with no idea of who is carrying what of diseases, its quite a bit risk in my eyes.

I think generally I'm going to have to agree to disagree on the bunny clinics as I do not personally like the idea of them myself and would not want to attend one - for my own personal reasons :)



a bit yeah! :lol:

? Ask if you can book the first appointment. If it's the first one it shouldn't be crowded. I have suffered bad anxiety myself so I know it's not just as easy as that but there may be a way of making it work.
 
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