Choosing a Good Rabbit Veterinarian

Rabbits, like any animal, can suffer from medical problems that require professional help. It is important that you do your best to locate a good rabbit veterinarian before your rabbit has an emergency, that way you know exactly what to do should an emergency arise.

Firstly, be aware of the fact that most veterinarians deal strictly with dogs and cats. Many of these vets are not qualified to work on exotic pets such as rabbits.

To find a qualified rabbit veterinarian, there are several strategies you can follow. The first strategy involves phoning up local veterinarians within your area and asking who they refer people with rabbits to. After calling several vets, if the majority have referenced a certain veterinarian, there is a good chance that he or she is the best rabbit vet in the area.

Another strategy is to call individual rabbit veterinarians and ask them a variety of questions that they should know relating to rabbit care. For example, you can ask them what their opinion of de-clawing rabbits is (a knowledgeable rabbit vet would know that you need to amputate a toe to de-claw a rabbit and that it is a brutal and unnecessary operation). You can also ask them the different types of surgery they have performed on rabbits and what their success rates are. There are several other valid medical questions you can and should ask (like what is the best method to prevent hairballs) to screen the vet you choose for your rabbit.

After you have found the best primary rabbit care veterinarian for you, keep in mind that it is wise to have a back up vet at the ready should your primary vet be unavailable. Veterinarians are people too, and they need time to take vacations and tend to personal business, so your primary care vet may not be there when your rabbit has an emergency.

Choosing a veterinarian for your rabbit can take a little time and effort, but if intelligently handled, you will find yourself with a qualified veterinarian who does his or her best to keep your rabbit healthy and happy.