How to Find a Rabbit Vet

Not all veterinarians treat rabbits. If you have a rabbit you will need to find one that treats "exotic pets." You also want a vet that knows what he or she is doing when it comes to rabbits. Did you choose your own doctor or dog/cat's vet simply because they were at the corner? Hopefully not. Here are ways to choose the best vet for your rabbit.

Instructions

1. Get a recommendation from your own veterinarian whom you trust if your own vet doesn't treat rabbits. If you don't have other pets, get a recommendation from someone you know who has a rabbit or from another local vet.

2. Find out approximately how many rabbits the recommended vet or entire practice cares for.

3. If you are having your rabbit spayed or neutered, ask how many spay/neuters the practice performs and if they have ever lost any rabbits during this or other routine surgery.

4. Address whatever concerns you may have and ask questions that would indicate the potential vet's knowledge of rabbits. For instance, you can ask what antibiotics are harmful to rabbits. Several can cause diarrhea and some can even be fatal, including ampicillin.

Tips & Warnings

• The House Rabbit Society has compiled a state-by-state listing of recommended veterinarians who treat rabbits (see Resources below).

• A shelter in your area that takes in a lot of rabbits may have a recommendation for a rabbit vet. You might also check a local rabbit rescue.

• A veterinarian that works with rabbit breeders or 4-H clubs may tend to view rabbits as stock animals and not provide the same care as a vet who treats rabbits that are family pets. For instance, a vet that works with breeders may never have performed surgeries such as spaying/neutering.

Resources

• House Rabbit Society