Neutering price

Question
Hello!  I've been calling around to the local vets in my area (all on the recommended list from my local house rabbit society) for neutering.  I've had quotes from $85 to $350.  The vet that does it for $85 said that price includes anesthesia during the surgery, and the surgery itself, and that's it.  Is that okay?  Or should I got somewhere else?

Thanks!
mary ann

Answer
Dear Mary Ann,

More important than price is the skill of the surgeon and the type of anesthesia used.  You need to ask the vets what type of anesthesia is used (isoflurane or sevoflurane with appropriate pre-anesthetics are generally considered to be the safest; avoid vets who use only injectible anesthetics!), what type of pain management is given before and after surgery (metacam and tramadol together are very good; avoid a vet who gives NO pain medication), and what their success rate is for rabbit spays and neuters.  Also ask if they recommend fasting the rabbit before surgery.  If they say yes, then they may not be aware that rabbits--unlike dogs and cats--should NOT be fasted before surgery, and may not know enough about rabbits in other respects, either.

Ask your local HRS representatives which of the vets you called are the most reliable, and which one *they* would take their rabbit to for a spay or neuter.  You usually (but not always) get what you pay for.

So the safest thing would be to (1) ask the vet those questions and (2) ask around for a referral to the *best* vet who will do the best by your bunny.

I hope this helps!

Dana