just got back from the vets and am not overaly happy

hey all i took thumps to the vets this morning as he needed his nails clipped well i know thumper is not overaly keen on beeing picked up and i understand this and we are working on it as i havent had him long, well i took the vet this and after a journey in the car and a 5 min walk thumper was very stressed and the vet grapped him out of his carrier and he went mad, he was fighting to get out of her arms so she had to lie him across her on her back to calm him down then got another vet to help while she cut his nails , thumper was ok with this. She di a mini checked said his ears was ok and teeth and looked healthy and he was a boy but she said she didnt want to stressed him out any more the poor boy. Any way he then went back in his carrier and she then went on is he a out door bun and i said no he lives indoor and she said he should be outside in a hutch and have a run i felt like i have been doing something wrong , she then went on about me sitting with him and to let him come to me. which i do he loves siting on my lap watching telly, i couldnt say this to hear as she made me feel so small like i didnt care and i was not looking after him probaly. i could of cried she doesnt know how work i have put in with him and how much better he is from when he first came here. i feel like am not the right person to have him now and maybe he should be with some one with more experience, am sat here cryin as i love him and i dont want to lose him but maybe its for the best. luv becks xx

Oh dear Bex, it sounds to me like the problem is more with your VET than with you - having him as an indoor bun is inevitably going to bring him much closer interaction with you than if he was outdoors, so that in turn should help build his confidence over time.

Please don't feel as if you're not the right person for him, it sounds as if you're doing a great job. Some vets don't yet appreciate what brilliant indoor pets rabbits can make, and your vet is obviously one of them. That is her problem not yours, it doesn't sound to me as if you're doing anything wrong!

Big hugs, and hope you feel happier very soon xxx

You're doing everything right - don't worry! Often when the vet starts talking to me (there is one in particular who likes to 'preach') I just nod and smile This particular vet does not think that Bobby and Ruby should have such a large run, as he says it makes them more like wild bunnies:shock:
After having read about people's experiences on here, and learning from them, I feel that my bunnies have the best care that I can provide for them. I know that they are happy, and I have different relationships with all of them.
Keep it up, and talk to us whenever you need to.

Get a new vet :x

Some vets seem to have very little understanding of house rabbits (or all rabbits, come to think of it!) and can make you feel as though you are doing something wrong. At the end of the day, if Thumper is happy, then that's all that matters.

If you think that you've made progress, then great! What does the vet know? Does she live with you?.... I think many rabbits act differently at the vets - I know mine do! They can sense that they are somewhere different, can smell other animals etc, so it's perfectly normal and does not make you a bad bunny mommy! :wink:

HS said:

This particular vet does not think that Bobby and Ruby should have such a large run, as he says it makes them more like wild bunnies

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That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard!!!

Impulse said:

HS said:

This particular vet does not think that Bobby and Ruby should have such a large run, as he says it makes them more like wild bunnies

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That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard!!!

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I know! I was quite proud, as I thought that was my intention! I want them to have as natural a life as possible
There are four vets at the surgery, and the other 3 are really good with the buns, so I make sure I see them.

My old vet a rabbit specialist always used to say there are pros and cons to both ways of keeping rabbits, ideally as long as your bunny still gets access to a run in the garden and fresh grass, as often as possible they are getting the best of both worlds!

Caz

Irrespective of the advice (which is :roll: ) a vet should never make you feel like crying when chatting about care! Their job should be to discuss the situation with you - which involves listening not just talking. Remember you paid for their time.... and it doesn't usually come cheap.

I'd suggest you write a letter to the practice (we can help if you like) outlining your concerns over the vets outdated advice and inclosing some literature from the RWA on house rabbits.

What you're doing is perfectly right according to the Rabbit Welfare Association and the RSPCA (and me!) who both state that rabbits make excellent house pets so don't let the vet knock your confidence. You're providing an axcellent home.

Tam

Tamsin said:

Irrespective of the advice (which is :roll: ) a vet should never make you feel like crying when chatting about care! Their job should be to discuss the situation with you - which involves listening not just talking. Remember you paid for their time.... and it doesn't usually come cheap.

I'd suggest you write a letter to the practice (we can help if you like) outlining your concerns over the vets outdated advice and inclosing some literature from the RWA on house rabbits.

What you're doing is perfectly right according to the Rabbit Welfare Association and the RSPCA (and me!) who both state that rabbits make excellent house pets so don't let the vet knock your confidence. You're providing an axcellent home.

Tam

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Cant better Tamsin's post!!

Janex

I think that your experience is just indicative of what happens in general to poor rabbits. I naturally assumed that ALL vets would know one end of a rabbit from the other. Why, because they are vets and aren't vets trained and that is far from the truth. If you feel intimidated by anyone who you are seeking help from, specifically doctor/vet/solicitor, then you need to shop around and find one who gives you what you have a right to have. I am horrified at your experience with this vet and I think Tam has the right idea. Where do you live and is there anyone on here who can recommend a different vet for you?

Incidentally, I have been phoning architects all week to try and get someone to come and look at a property I was going to buy. You pick a name out of the yellow pages and off you go. All I got was public school sounding men who made me feel inferior straight off (and I think I am posh :lol: ). They obviously were creative people who thought my loft conversion and rear extension, not enough to fire their creative juices. I knew straight off from each call that I couldn't work with them. I then phoned a woman, because I thought she has breasts and I could have an affinity :lol: . Then I got a public school voice who told me she couldn't come to my house because she had a rule that she was spending this week with her child who was home from boarding school! Current position, still looking for a "common" architect!

thank you all for replying to my post , i feel better after reading your posts and i will think about writing a letter with all yr help off course. Well thumper is so happy now he is all curld up asleep. I gave him some nice food when we got back and he is so happy to be at home. thank you so much xx i live in bristol by the way

Totally agree with what everyone has said on here....you sound like a really good mum to Thumper....some vets are just :x I expect you probably actually know more than some of them, but they rarely let you get a word in edgeways :lol:

Aww it sounds like you're a wonderful bunny mummy. You know yourself if he's happy. I've got Pippa inside at the moment and I know she's not that happy as she 'comes alive' when outside so she's going out. Other bunnies will prefer to be indoors. Stupid vet. I had a stupid vet the other week, told me to get Pippa a guinea pig for company :roll: I just smiled and thought what an idiot! You do what's right for you and Thumper.

Bleeping vets! I sometimes feel no matter what I do they still find something to criticise! I took my G to the vet and he had blood on his back end and paw, I didn't clean it off as I assumed the vet would want to see it. I also hadn't groomed him as I was in a panic to get the vet, and he commented on how he wasn;t groomed! Eejit! I explained to him but he still seemed cross as he had to cut bloody fur off. I would have happily done it when I got him home!
Don't listen, you're doing great.

raven_guest said:

I explained to him but he still seemed cross as he had to cut bloody fur off. I would have happily done it when I got him home!

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He's paid for it for god's sake, it's his job! He needs to quit whining. :x

I hate it when they do this, my vet and other people have done this before, they just don't understand how dedicated you really are, when a dog has to be muzzled to have a check up, the vet doesn't blink an eye, they know a lot of dogs don't like the vets, well rabbits are the same, they hate car rides, they can sense when its going to happen, and there way of showing it is panting, and going ape at anyone who touches it :roll:

Vets just seem to be getting worse when it comes to the smaller furries...

Definately get a new vet!! I saw a vet recently who I felt did not really care about my rabbits and he didn't ask any questions or seem interested in anything I had to say, I was pretty un-impressed, he didn't even know about Rear guard, grrr...However I then switched vets and the woman they see now is brill!! She always looks at their back teeth, in their eyes, ears, checks their heart, asks loads of questions and say how cute they are!! :wink: So I would definately recommend you get a new vet.
Good luck and try to forget what that other silly vet said.
Nicola x

Nicola C said:

and say how cute they are!! :wink
Nicola x

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That's so important isn't it! I love the vets who take time to look properly at the bunnies and show an interest in them.