Finding the Right Veterinarian For Your RabbitFinding a rabbit-savvy veterinarian is often an overlooked step by new rabbit guardians, but it is one of the most important. Unfortunately, most veterinarians don't have the knowledge or experience to properly care for rabbits. It is up to you to ask questions and do research to ensure that you have found the best veterinarian to care for your rabbit. This may seem like a lot of work, but your rabbit's life could potentially depend on it. Most veterinary schools only cover the basics of "exotic" (anything other than dog/cat) pets, such as proper handling techniques and anatomy, and don't receive training to cover a full spectrum of rabbit medicine. A lot of dog and cat veterinarians may state that they would see your rabbit, even when they don't have an education or experience working with rabbit medicine, which can result in in-proper diagnostic and treatment plans that won't help your rabbit. Some veterinarians will be honest, however, and kindly let you know they're not comfortable treating rabbits and may even offer a recommendation to another veterinary clinic. How do you determine which veterinarians you can trust and which you should stay away from? The house rabbit society provides an excellent list of questions you can ask to see if the veterinarian would be a good fit for you and your rabbit. These questions are designed to give you an idea of the level of experience the veterinarian has, whether they view rabbits as pets or livestock, if they understand safe medications, and know how to treat common ailments. You may find it helpful to do some quick research on treatment plans for GI Stasis and other common ailments as well, so that you know if the veterinarian is giving you an adequate answer. Starting your search There are a few ways to start, whether you google for local veterinarians (specifically those who see exotic pets), reach out to rabbit social media groups and websites, or ask a friend who has a rabbit. Don't be shy to search outside local area, there are very few exotic veterinarians in most areas. Create a list of your top veterinary candidates, then give them a call to ask questions for yourself. The receptionists may be insightful as to which doctors would be the best, but may not have information on treatment plans. If possible, speak or set up a meeting with the doctor to ensure your questions are answered. Veterinary clinics are very busy, but should be respectful to you as a potential new client and respect that you are doing thorough research before making a decision. The importance of emergency/24hr veterinarians In addition to finding a regular veterinarian for routine appointments, it is also very important to have a rabbit-savvy veterinarian that is available after hours, weekends and holidays. These veterinarians are even more difficult to find, and you may find yourself having to travel outside of your city in an emergency. Emergencies never happen when it is convenient. You may find it helpful to have a first aid kit on hand, especially if your emergency clinic is not near by. When you locate an emergency pet hospital, you will want to ask the same questions to ensure your rabbit is getting the same quality care (if not better) if they become injured or unwell.
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