Should someone have a rabbit if they don't have good vet backup?

[helgalush]

I live in the largest town in a county with a vet school yet vet cover is absolutely dire. I think it's just luck

I think you must be right We are very fortunate to have a good vets nearish to here and I know if we needed to change that we could go to another one about 20-30 ish mins away too, so I guess we are very lucky to have this.

 

[Lea-Anne]

I would not take my rabbits to my current vets 'emergency vet' if it was the last vets on earth. This means I am in a very tricky situation - as my 'normal' vets are so fantastically amazing and so skilled and so good that I could not leave them - (although technically they are not recognised as 'experts in their field' - I mean they never give talks at the major rabbit conferences - (though they take referrals)) . But I have no cover out of hours - apart from their home phone numbers!

This is me. I am in this predictament too.

My vet has gained a lot of experience with rabbits over the years because she is interested in them. She's not a specialist as such but I consider her to be more than just ' good' :thumb: She has been known to contact other vets when she has been stumped and happy for me ask questions about choices of treatment. In the past vets have got quite annoyed with me saying ' well can we try this?Why can't we do this? ' They are my pets and I feel I'm well within my rights to do so. When Dennis started with his problems, I had put a post on here and Conaniach replied with tons of info on her rabbit's similar symptoms/ conditions/ treatments. I printed it off and handed it to my vet and she read it and added it to Dennis's notes and was willing to listen to me. For me that is a good vet.

 

[Jenova]

This is me. I am in this predictament too.

My vet has gained a lot of experience with rabbits over the years because she is interested in them. She's not a specialist as such but I consider her to be more than just ' good' :thumb: She has been known to contact other vets when she has been stumped and happy for me ask questions about choices of treatment. In the past vets have got quite annoyed with me saying ' well can we try this?Why can't we do this? ' They are my pets and I feel I'm well within my rights to do so. When Dennis started with his problems, I had put a post on here and Conaniach replied with tons of info on her rabbit's similar symptoms/ conditions/ treatments. I printed it off and handed it to my vet and she read it and added it to Dennis's notes and was willing to listen to me. For me that is a good vet.

:thumb:

 

[megansmummy]

I dont really have anything constructive to say but since changing to our new vets im have been so pleased that we have...so far we have been much happier with them than the first vets we were with! They seem very rabbit savvy and I fele confident with them since Daisys stasis...they looked after her really well (kept her in for the day to make sure she recovered and ate something etc). They also have their own emergency rota so if we needed out of hours then it would be one of the vets we already know which i think is really important!!

 

[Rhianna]

I changed to my vet as he works alone and does his own out of hours cover - so apart from a few weeks a year when he is on holiday - I always see the same person. He is also near enough that I could afford a taxi if I needed to. With the vet I used before the out of hours vet was quite a way away and I ended up there in my car with a rabbit I had just had PTS crying my eyes out and in no state to drive home.

I wouldn't say my vet was bunny savvy though but he knows I belong to a rabbit site and he is usually willing to listen to my suggestions. He also looks things up in FHB's book and will consult with colleagues if he doesn't know something. He respects the fact I know my animals and tries to teach me to do as much as I can for myself. He also always allows me to bring companion buns in if I think it is best for the poorly bun.

On the downside his prices have increased a lot recently and he doesn't give me discount, despite me having eleven buns. He charges the same out of hours fees even if it's only 6.30 pm instead of 6.00 pm. I don't mind paying an additional £100 in the middle of the night - but at 6.30 pm when he only lives upstairs?

His metacam charges are extortionate but I now get it on-line.

For me seeing the same person is a huge bonus as my animals get used to him as do I. He will also come to me for vaccinations and doesn't charge any extra (as it was his suggestion).

The receptionists/nurses also know that if I say my bun/cat needs to be seen asap - they need to be seen asap - and they always fit me in. I don't have to argue.

Overall, I am happy with my vet.

 

[happysaz133]

I have rabbits, and my vet is shocking, he does have rabbits, but as a general rule, he's **** :lol:

 

[loppy ears]

What one person recommends as good another person may think is awful. The vets which was recommended to me I would not use. They used to be good until some of the vets and vet nurses moved on.

I would rather see my vet who is always willing to carry out some research and is willing to send staff on courses about rabbits.

Sadly the truth is there is a very high percentage of bunny owners who will not pay for vet treatment if it costs more than a few pounds, so vets do not see as many bunnies as they do dogs and cats. I hope this changes but I fear it won't whilst pet shops are selling as impulse buys marketing them as a 'cheap pet'.