When to call the vet. . . .

[MyRabbits]

My husband and I are just starting our little rabbitry. It has been since my childhood --nearly thirty years ago -- since I have had a litter to look after. I have been reading as much as I can in preparation for this, including a number of books on bunny veterinary science. Several resources suggested putting together an emergency small animal first aid kit, which I have done. As I look at the assembled contents and consider those things which I have not yet acquired, I realize I need some training from my vet with such equipment as the stethoscope and otoscope. I would also like to be instructed in the application of subcutaneous fluids, as I understand that is often critical in the treatment of a variety of conditions. The more reading I do, the more questions I have for my vet. I want to be able to successfully determine when a problem is something that I can take care of without a vet and when I really need my vet's help, and I want to cultivate a trusting and workable relationship with my bunny vet as he is the nearest one by far.

My vet is a good rabbit specialist, but he has made it very clear to me that he thoroughly disapproves of my small-scale breeding plans. Still, I want to be able to work with him as closely as possible. My plan is first to speak with the Vet Tech who specializes in rabbits and have her help me narrow down the things I need from the vet in terms of an emergency preparedness training visit. If you are a breeder, what is your relationship with your vet like, and how have you cultivated it? How much do you try to do on your own; when do you call the vet?

 

[BlueGiants]

It's difficult, but not impossibleto work with a vet that doesn't agree with what you are doing. I'm very lucky that my vet is willing to "be there" for me.

A vet tech can certainly teach you a lot about basic medical procedures. Those kinds of hands on skills can be invaluable at 1:00 in the morning when you need sub-Q fluids (and yeah, it always seems to be in the middle of the night!). At first, my vet wouldn't teach me, so I learned it from a nurse. But it can be difficult to get the supplies if you don't have a vetworking withyou. The vet tech can show you how to use the otoscope and what to listen for on the stethoscope.

As far as how much we do ourselves, it's what ever level of care you are comfortable with and knowledgeable in... at the onset, you may end up consulting your vet a lot until you become comfortable with treating certain symptoms. I don't rush my rabbits to the vet everytime they stop eating for a day... I try to assess the situation, find out why they aren't eating and see what I can do to fix it. But some people will want or need a vets opinion. Anything that I judge to be life threatening or pain inducingwould get taken to the vet immediately. As you gain more experience, you'll feel more comfortable treating certain things. Basic first aid for cuts and scratches, certain types of wounds, broken nails, etc. are easily taken care of.

My suggestion is to read everything you can get your hands on regarding rabbit health and care. The best book I know of right now is still Rabbit Production by Cheeke, Patton, Lukefahr and Mc Nitt.(eigth edition). It was written for "Production" facilities, but contains some of the most concise and practical, hands on information about breeding and raising rabbits. It goes into great detail about the rabbits anatomy and physiology and covers a lot of the basic husbandry of rabbit raising. It does cover much less pleasant subjects, but you can skip over those parts.

And the other option is always getting a good rabbit mentor to advise you. This forum is full of very knowledgable people to help out when needed, and your vet will be there to back you up. I'm positive he wouldn't turn you away with a sick or injured animal because he doesn't agree with you.

 

[clevername]

Thanks Blue Giants. This is the 2nd time Rabbit Production has been recommend by an experienced breeder. I'm adding it to my library.

 

[BlueGiants]

It's pretty expensive if you can find it, but my copy is well read.

 

[clevername]

I found a cheaper copy with Book Burro. (http://www.bookburro.org/ ) Only $65.

My textbook of Rabbit Medicine cost me $99 and that was a steal out of a rabbit catalog. I consider such things worth the money anyway.

*Edited to fix a broken link*

 

[MyRabbits]

Thanks, BlueGiants, for the book recommendation! It sounds like it would be very handy, and now's the time to be reading -- before any kits arrive!

 

[MyRabbits]

Well, today I met with the Rabbit Vet Tech, who really seemed to know her stuff and did not seem to disrespect me for wanting to breed the Flemish Giants. We spent an hour together going over uses of the stethoscope, otoscope and subcutaneous fluids. She answered a lot of my questions. I am beginning to think that she may be more the bunny expert than the vet -- she's the one who every year goes to the North American Veterinary Conference for rabbits, a conference that lasts a full five days. And she cleaned bunny Dorcas's ears and showed me how to do that. It's nice when you can doublecheck your cleaning with another look through the otoscope! All in all a great experience. Now I just wait for Rabbit Production to arrive in the mail. . .

I hope you have a good day.

 

[BlueGiants]

Sounds like you have an awsome rabbit resource right in your area. I've met a number of highly educated, dedicated and rabbit savy Vet techs that did know more about rabbits than some vets.

Good for you...