How to Pick a Good Rabbit Vet

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Ask your local pet shop for a list of veterinarians who specialize in the care of rabbits. Before you pick a vet, you should make certain he has experience in caring for rabbits that are household pets.
Step 2:
Determine whether your vet cares for rabbits. If you have a good vet for other pets, such as cats or dogs, ask whether he also treats rabbits. If he only sees one every once in a while, ask for a recommendation for a vet specializing in rabbit care.
Step 3:
Talk to friends or family members who live in your area to get the names of vets who treat their pet rabbits. If more than one name is given, take time to visit each clinic for first-hand looks at the care environments.
Step 4:
Check the local veterinarian directories for vets specializing in the care of exotic animals. Make sure rabbits are included on their lists of pets treated. When you make your inquiries, ask for the number of rabbits each vet treats on a weekly or monthly basis. The higher the number, the better your chances are for getting the experienced vet your pet deserves.
Step 5:
Check the House Rabbit Society for a veterinarian in your state with experience treating rabbits (see Resources below).
Step 6:
Schedule an appointment just to meet the vet and ask questions. Take your rabbit along for the visit and observe the interaction between the vet and the rabbit. A good vet to pick is one with gentleness in handling your rabbit.
Step 7:
Trust your rabbit's instinct. If the rabbit relaxes in the experienced vet's hands, you've likely made a good choice. If the rabbit appears anxious, consider looking for another vet.

Tips & Warnings

A good question to ask a vet is about the success rate of rabbit surgeries. While it is inevitable that some rabbits will die during surgery, the number should be a very small percentage. If it is more than 0.5 percent of the cases, you should question the vet's expertise with rabbits.

Resources

Veterinarian lists at the House Rabbit Society website

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