Not all vets have much experience of rabbits.
Most veterinary surgeons have plenty of experience with dogs and cats, and, in rural areas, with farm animals. For other animals, including rabbits, it is advisable to find a vet who has specific experience them. This is especially important for major operations, the spaying of female rabbits and for the diagnosis of illnesses. Finding the right vet for your bunny is normally straightforward, especially as more people are keeping rabbits as house pets.
Instructions
1. Check the House Rabbit Society's list of recommended veterinarians to see if there are any in your area, if you live in the U.S.
2. Locate a local rabbit club. Both the HRS and the American Rabbit Breeders Association might be able to provide you with contact numbers. Searching online is another possibility. Conduct searches for "Rabbit Club" "Rabbit Society" or "House Rabbits," together with the name of your town.
3. Phone or email the club organizer explaining that you are looking for a recommendation for a good rabbit veterinarian. The person you speak to will almost certainly know of a couple of vets in the area who are experienced with rabbits. He may also tell you which vets to avoid.
4. Contact a local rabbit sanctuary or a general animal sanctuary, if you can't find a rabbit club. Such places can either provide recommendations themselves, or contact details of reputable breeders or other people experienced with rabbits. For example, ask if people who foster rabbits could help you find a vet.
5. Contact another small animal club, such as a guinea pig society or a fancy rat club. People who are enthusiastic about one species of small animal often have friends enthusiastic about others, who in turn can provide a recommendation for a rabbit vet.
6. Phone several veterinary clinics yourself if you are unable to get a recommendation. Ask each vet whom she would refer a serious rabbit case to. Continue until you have a name recommended by several different veterinarians. Phone the recommended veterinarian and ask how long she has been working with rabbits, if you are still unsure. You can also ask specific screening questions, such as which medicines are dangerous to rabbits and how many rabbits are spayed or neutered at the clinic each week.
Tags: with rabbits, enthusiastic about, experienced with, experienced with rabbits, local rabbit, Rabbit Society, small animal