Reliability of Vet

[jrobinsonuk2]

I recently got a male rabbit who was sneezingwith blood. I took him to our vet. Our vet checked him with his handsand stethoscope and said he had laboured breathingwithconsolidation(fluid in the lungs).

His diagnosis was that our rabbit had arespiratory infectionand prescribed antibiotics which he said may or may not work and mayget worse. This process only took 3 minutes for which we were charged£25.

Should he not have triedto identify the pathogen usingculture techniques hence identifying the correct management and theexact prognosis for our bunny. Or does this not happen at a normal vetonly at emergency vets.

Do standard Vets have equipment and facilities to test and diagnosesuch as Blood sampling, X-rays, culture etc or are these only atemergency vets.

I need to know whether I am just wasting my money with this vet orwhether I should go to an emergency Vet who has more equipment todiagnose rabbits.

I am also concerned as I need to take my female bunny to get spayed.

SUGGESTIONS?

 

[pamnock]

jrobinsonuk2 wrote:

Should he not have triedto identify the pathogen usingculture techniques hence identifying the correct management and theexact prognosis for our bunny. Or does this not happen at a normal vetonly at emergency vets.

It is a very good idea to attempt to identify the pathogen.For the time being, it was best to get the rabbit started onantibiotics. If this does not have any affect within a rathershort amount of time, I would certainly opt for more extensivetesting. Remember though, that the blood tests only identifyantibodies to the more common known pathogens and often can't narrowdown particular strains of a pathogen.

Pam

 

[jrobinsonuk2]

So would I be able to get him extensively tested(cultures + Xrays) at a general vet Do general vets have thesefacilities (Cultures, blood sampling, Xrays) or would they justreferhim toan emergency Vet for extensive testing.

 

[pamnock]

Many vets send their lab work out. Inthe time it takes to get the results back, precious treatment timecould be wasted. This is why they often opt to begintreatment immediately. The tests could be very helpful indetermining the proper course of treatment.

You can find more info on these links:

http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=857&cboArticleContentsNames=16726

http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/artPrinterFriendly.asp?all=1&conID=16722

http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=857&cboArticleContentsNames=16726http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00294.htm



Pam

 

[Kricket]

Pam gave great advice (she always does). Ask this vet how many rabbits he treats. Mostvets in my area don't treat rabbits. When I finally found mycurrent vet, I found that she does the same thing (Er, rather herclinic) as Pam said. They send their cultures out to alab. As a matter of fact, my male has a cold now, he is onantibiotics, and if there is no improvement by Friday, he will go backfor a culture. He is getting better. Did youmention what kind of meds they prescribed for your bunny?Keep us posted!

Hugs!

P.S. About spaying, just ask your current vet. Ask how many ayear are performed. Ask how many rabbits your vet haslost. Ask if they will remove the ovaries, uterus andcervix. Ask about fasting the night before thesurgery. Your vet should tell you there is no need to fast,as rabbits cannot vomit. The correct answer from the vetshould be that your rabbit can eat & drink up to thesurgery. Ask what procedure they use to close theincision. Most vets use liquid stitches, which is great, soyour female cannot rip them out.

P.P.S. Are these bunnies separated? Try to keep them apart asthis sickness might be contagious. Also a good idea to keepthem apart until the spay as well. Wouldn't that be asurprise...



Here is a great link taken (from Carolyn's stickied topics) at the topof the forum. I used this as a guideline when looking for avet to spay & neuter my buns. Hope it helps

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html