Lost Faith in Vets

[Bill Jesse]

My little Himmie started showing signs of EC. Took her to one vet and he just laughed it off saying she had a tender back and just some cage rest would cure it. Next day she could hardly walk. Took her to another "rabbit savvy" vet who agreed it might be EC and I told her that I had started her on Panacur. She also suggested Pen G in case of infection and she injected that. I suggested a thorough ear exam but she did not answer. Basically it was a wait and see attitude.

I have a very old male and his vet has done wonders for him. I took my Himmie to see her and she agreed on the EC and also offered Baytril. I told her I had seen the second vet and all of a sudden the room went cold. She could not wait to get me out of there - politely mind you. I went back to the second vet for a further consult and told her I had seen the third vetI mentioned. Basically she looked atmy Himmie'seyes, weighed her and watched her walk. Cold shoulder again. She said she would look into the possibility of a second course of Panacur and she would also call me back for an update. Guess what? Not a word.

I have the impression that if you tell them you asked for a second opinion or if you have some knowledge of rabbit medicine then suddenly they are intimidated I guess. I think rabbits are pretty hardy and even taking them to a vet can be stressful. I think from now on I will take my chances based on what I know medically and from more knowledgable friends.

I have the distinct feeling some vets only care about the money. In all three cases whenI made the appointment and told them what is about they just said okay. No compassion. Maybe they see it all the time and have become too stoic.

 

[Kipcha]

That's the exact same feeling I get here... It seems like most vets are more in it to wring out every single penny they can get from you rather then be genuinely concerned about the bunny (I've actually had worse experience with this since getting involved in the horse industry. Now those are some money hungry theives right there). I know not all vets are like this but... The vast majority are giving me that impression.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

That is a bummer. Makes us appreciate our vets all the more--they are husband and wife and have 5 bunnies. They have been way more compassionate and have worked to help us save as they know all of ours are rescues too.

 

[Marrie]

I'm sorry you've had such bad experience with you vets

My vet office is run by an older couple, they treat exotics and regular pets. They keep their costs down so that people can get their pets the care they deserve. Last time I took my bird in for a nail clipping, the vet gave him a free checkup to make sure he was still in good health, even though I knew he was! They focus on exotics, have helped all the exotics owners in town through difficult illness and will even offer training advice. So not all vets are bad, though I will agree with you it's hard to find a good one sometimes.

 

[EileenH]

I have had that happen so many times at my job, I usually don't even say when I've had a second opinion.

I was super lucky when Gulliver was sick; the rabbit savvy vets in my area do work together, and they all saw him& conferred on him. One reason was, that nobody could figure out what was wrong with him. In the end, all the pieces fit together and while I lost him, it was nice to see that they all worked hard to do the best they could, but I know that doesn't always happen.

There are too many egos in the medical field, and unfortunately that sometimes includes the vet field.

 

[Bill Jesse]

My little Himmie has taken a downturn today and I cannot pinpoint if its EC or an ear thing. I asked the vets to check the ears andI know unless they do more major tests they can only check the outer ear. They were satisfied with that but I wasn't. I wanted more and they merely took a lets wait and see attitude. That does not work for a rabbit.

I am reading a book about caring for special needs rabbits and the authors talk about consulting with their vets and other specialists and I can only wish it would be the same here. But its not. Is it a case that rabbits are really foreign to them and unlike dogs or cats, rabbit diseasesare a mystery to them.

I am afraid I am going to lose her and I will blame the vets. Is it all about the money? Who knows but when you see some destitute family having to put down their pet dog because the vet wants a thousand dollars to cure it, it makes me wonder.

And speaking of costs I had my Himmie and two other females spayed the same day at $200 each!

 

[Marrie]

I'm sorry your Himmie is sick - is it possible you could call the vets and, though you may get attitude, insist they do the other tests you want? I know a few people who had similar attitudes from vets and they wouldn't take no for an answer and, while the vet gave them attitude, they got the tests they wanted.
Also, I know a few people who have called other specialists which are too far away to see, but are willing to discuss things over the phone either with their vet or with them and are more open to the owners opinion (I mean, we do see the behavior of our animals everyday, we know when something is wrong). Are either options possible for you? Or maybe a university with exotics specialists within a few hours drive?

I hope you can find out what is wrong with your baby. Greed or egos should never be a reason why an animal should have to be sick without proper care, shame on the vets for giving you the cold shoulder for getting a second opinion.

 

[MelissaPenguin]

I am sorry about your bunny. I hope she gets to feeling better soon.

On the other hand, I've had similar experiences with my dog. And with a vet that we had used before =\ Needless to say, we don't see him anymore. But I told him all the symptoms my dog was having, and he didn't even give me some kind of response. No medication, not even a general exam. He did comb him to look for fleas, found none, but he did have fleas and really dry skin =\ Vets are really the worst!

 

[slavetoabunny]

I'm not sure that it's a money thing, but more about not being informed. I could ask you to contact my most awesome vet, but being in a different country she could advise you on treatment, but wouldn't be any more help otherwise.

 

[Bill Jesse]

You are right. It could be that they are baffled by the strange illnesses rabbits get. Seems dogs and cats are more common so to speak. But putting down a loved animal because the family cannot afford medical help is just plain wrong.

I often wonder if we are doing a disservice to our pets by going to vets. My little girl is now shaking her head and scratching her ear a lot andI spoke to the vet (number 2) who suggested a 14 day course of Baytril. But do I want to fill her system with more drugs? Tough call but I'll just observe her.

On another note about 4 years ago an 8 year old that belonged to my neighbour decided to come live with us. He was no longer wanted it seemed and not quite abused but neglected. They moved and we took in the cat. The cat had never been to a vet except to get neutered. We figured we should take him and get the requisite injections. The cat has gone downhill since. He is not the same old guy we first knew and we have spent a fortune on tests, x-rays, consults, etc and nothing has changed. However we will continue with him and as long as he is in no pain we will take care of him and love him.

 

[Yurusumaji]

It certainly seems that bedside manner has diminished, not just int he veterinary field but also in the human medical field. They could be jaded, but it doesn't seem like they're in it for the money in your case. If they were in it for the money they'd be like my old vet and insist you do a slew of totally unnecessary, super-expensive tests that won't tell them anything. At the very least they'd be more than happy to do the tests you're asking for since it would be more money in your pocket.

An acquaintance of mine recently had to take in a stray cat to the vet because it was too ill to even move on its own. The vet charged them $330 to run tests even though they had already said they were just going to put it down. They weren't allowed to say goodbye to the poor kitty, nor were they permitted any say as to which tests were done so they could stifle the costs and the poor cat's suffering.

It's hard to find good a vet these days. I love the one I have now, but it was the third one I tried in my city and they don't see rabbits. I really hope your bunny gets better.

 

[itsazoo]

you mean you had faith in vets?? I love my girls vet, but even she is hardly perfect, she hates that we do our own research and dont follow her blindly and has actually TOLD us not to do any of our own research! I love her, she's the best, and goes out of her way to help..but like I said..not perfect lol

to us, a vet is a resource, nothing more, if they dont like it, well tough!

I had had more issues with humane docters then vets, I see no point in even going anymore for any reason, its pointless, I just either get told to "go home" or they make fun of me(yes, I have actually been made fun of by docters!)

 

[Jynxie]

I have a good vet and it really makes me appreciate him more, he should be retired but he works for the love of the animals. Unfortunately they don't treat bunnies.

My dog on the other hand had to have an emergency spay and they were booked until July, so I had to look else where...

The price at the new place was ridiculous and they had horrible bed side manner.
I felt they only were in it for the money.

I called to check up on my dog to see how the surgery went and they were pretty much saying "Why are you calling...?" and then I asked if she could check up on her ... She said she did. I asked if she was wearing the 'cone' and she said "I'm not sure" ... But she just said she checked up on her...

ugh.

Not sure what I am going to do once my good vet retires. ):

 

[Bill Jesse]

I think that a lot of vets are "unaware" of rabbit health problems and the figure that dosing them with meds is the answer.

Your vet is like my dentist. But he retired and now its all about the money.

 

[Sweetie]

Bill Jesse: I am sorry that you have lost faith in vets. But could you try two more vets? They are both here in Bremerton. I personally like them because they will work with me with my rabbits. They will listen to everything that you say and try to figure out what is going on with your rabbit.

The two vets I am talking about are Dr Crawford and Dr Little. They have saved my Sweetie's and Prince's life.

Their phone numbers are 1-360-373-1467 for Dr Crawford; and 1-360-377-3801 for Dr Little. You may have to come to Bremerton for them to see your rabbit, but they are very good vets. Please try them before giving up on vets all together.

 

[Bill Jesse]

I appreciate your offer. The downside is the travel time which would be probably a day's ride with the ferry. When I took Cassie to the vet the last timeI knew she was stressed by the car ride and the ambient noise.

I do not know if these two vets would dispense advice over the phone as they normally want to see the patient first, but I have noted their numbers. Thank you.

 

[mrbunny]

I took my rabbits to three different vets before I found one that I liked. (Ironically, this is during my crusade of trying to find a vet that would be have a more economical spay/neuter price.) I am a firm believer of finding a vet that will provide the most value for you and your rabbits. Value, in this case, primarily being knowledge and price.

The first vet is well-known in the GTA as rabbit-savvy and I believe he is, but I'm not sure what it was, but I felt as though I could not speak to him if I had "real" questions or issues about my rabbits. (ie. Not just basic knowledge questions like what should I feed my rabbit.)

The second vet was also very knowledgeable with rabbits. He was not my first choice at that particular clinic. The vet that I had wanted to see was one that used to work there, but left and started her own practice and no longer took in new rabbit patients.

It seemed I was veering out further from the city with each vet and I worried that I would be stuck on the pre-surgical exam crusade. I was so frustrated by this point and thought if I didn't like this vet, I should place my bets back on the first vet. Fortunately, the third time was the charm. I had spent more money than I anticipated (or wanted), but I feel that in the long run, this will be more beneficial for my rabbits.

My rabbits were spayed and neutered with this last vet on Monday. Mr Bighead was binkying by the first day; eating and drinking plenty. (I swear he doesn't even notice that he's missing anything on him.) Ms Buns was back to her normal self by Wednesday. Both, in my opinion, were very fast recoveries. What I liked about this vet is that how he called after their surgeries (on the day of) to tell me how it went, and I also received another phone call on Wednesday (after their surgeries, at home) to see how my rabbits were doing and if they needed anything. Additionally, my rabbits will be seen for a post-surgical check-up on this upcoming Wednesday.

Point is, don't give up. Keep trying new vets.

 

[CB Millicent]

I have also had a bad experience with my bun vet. CinnaBun began shaking, wobbling and was weak on her left side after being spayed. I paid a fortune for the spaying and another fortune on testing and meds, only to find out they don't know what's wrong with her. They were also pretty rude about it all as well IMO--no compassion.

I learned today from a rescue group that my vet has made several surgical mistakes and that makes me mad. This is the only practice in town that sees buns (exclusively exotics) so I'll have to drive 45 min to an hour to find a new vet.

At this point both of my buns are fixed, so I'll keep my fingers crossed about their health. I may end up treating them myself if I can.

Those of you who have great bun vets are very lucky!

 

[Bill Jesse]

Living in a large city is a plus I suppose when it comes to choosing a good vet. I don't and as this is an expensive place to live their prices are in accordance. That does not stop me however but having to pay 12% sales tax on vet visits, surical procedures and medicine is not good.

One thing I did not mention was the so-called bed side manner. The vet I used for my 13 year old is very good but schedules 15 minute visits. If you are still in the examining room at the 15 minute mark the assistant knocks on the door and says the next patient is here. That is unacceptable. I also found with the new latest vets they say they will call for a follow up but don't.

As to taking care of a rabbit I think we should be investigating everything we can find, be it on-line or in books. Having said that a lot of on-line data is or can be wrong. My 13 year old has runny eyes and one web site said he should be put down and another said its not uncommon. In books, even those written by "experts"there isa lot ofambiguity.

What my experience has taught me with my 13 year old is to learn their habits. They are creatures of habit and if something changes in their routine I get suspicious. I do know that every night between 9 and 10 he goes for his supper. The times that did not happen was when he was unwell.

 

[Sweetie]

Bill Jesse: I know that Dr Crawford will talk with you over the phone and help you determine what is wrong without seeing the bunny. That is if you can give him a vivid picture. If you want I can be middleman for you and Dr Crawford. Just need pics and video along with detailed description of what is going on with the rabbit sent to my email and I will get to him as quickly as possible like within a day or two.

Yes knowing your rabbits habits is a very good thing because you are the one that knows your rabbits better. The vet only knows the medical stuff.

Thank you CB Millicent for the comment about having a great vet.

Also Bill Jesse I understand about the travel time. I appreciate you noting the phone numbers of the vets down here in Bremerton. Hopefully they can help you if/when you need their help.