average price?

[bigmak5]

can someone tell me what an average price for culture swab of nose so i dont get ripped off?

[Beka27]

There’s not going to be a good “average price” because so much varies on your location, the vet’s overhead, and where the swab is tested. What have you been quoted? If you don’t like the price are you going to refuse the test or go to another vet?

[LittlePuffyTail]

I would just call around to local rabbit vets (if there are several in your area) and compare prices.

[Sarita]

Most likely what they are charging you is what they are being charged by the lab they send it to.

[bigmak5]

I was quoted.
“An aerobic culture and sensitivity costs $170 anaerobic and aerobic together are $237. Which one orders depends on what one is looking for.”

“If you don’t like the price are you going to refuse the test or go to another vet?”
i will find another vet.

and the vet wants $93.50 for examination

i was asking whats a average price so i would know if its a decent price to pay( at that price i cant afford it) or i should look for another vet.

also can some one explain the difference between aerobic culture and anaerobic culture and which one is better to check for upper respiratory problems?

[Beka27]

Can I ask what your general area is, just major city and state? That sounds pricey to me, but I don’t have the same experience with cultures that others’ have. The cost for the vet exam sounds high too, but again, depending on the location and the vet’s overhead, that will affect the cost. At the end of the day the vet needs to be able to keep the lights on, buy supplies, and pay his employees.

What other quotes have you received from local vets? If none, I’d start calling around.

[Beka27]

I just did a Google search with the phrase “rabbit aerobic and anaerobic culture” and this is the first article that popped up:

http://ontariorabbits.org/health/bacterial

I think it explains why the test for both would be more expensive.

Have you already tried antibiotics and they were unsuccessful? I apologize if this is already explained in a different thread, this is the first I’m seeing this. You generally try antibiotics first to see if the infection clears up prior to culturing.

[skunklionshow]

Here’s my understanding of the difference.  The word Aerobic means w/ air, so that usually means Aerobic would be exposed to air and anaerobic would not be exposed to air.  I believe it’s to see how the sample responds.  That’s my basic bio understanding.

I think the culture prices are pretty average, based on my memory, though it’s been a while.  The exam seems kind of high, but I guess it depends what all is being done.  In Philly I paid about 40-50 for my rabbit exams; in NC where I don’t have a ton of rabbit options it’s more like $75-80.  I have 2 rabbits, so I try to get exams at the same time, since often it decreases my cost for 2 at once. 

Are they unsure what the upper resp infection is?  Has it not responded to tx?  I believe cultures are done, in animals, after standard tx has not been effective.

[Sarita]

I would find out what is included in that exam. If you are getting a culture done they may need to sedate the rabbit in order to get a deep nasal swab so that could be another reason for the cost.

Is your rabbit sneezing? What makes you wonder that he/she has an upper respiratory infection?

[bigmak5]

I originaly was by a diff vet but i didnt think his knowledge was contemporary i felt like i knew more about contemporary rabbit terms and conditions than him he was very nice but outdated although all and all he recommended a good antibiotic but my rabbit showed no improvement. ( the ab was chloramphenicol)

Whats tx? 

i live in rockland county new york

[bullrider76543]

I know my vet only charges me $25 for a wellness visit. adding other tests are on top of that but she is very reasonable.

[skunklionshow]

sorry…TX is Treatment

[Sarita]

Did you like the first vet and feel comfortable with him? Even though he may be a bit old fashioned he might still be a good vet. Did you find out from his office how much a culture would cost? Maybe you should give him a second look if you like him.

Many times vets will try medications before doing cultures because of the cost of the testing. I’ve found that if I make recommendations or question my vet, she is very open and listens to me. If she doesn’t agree, she will tell me why and help me make the correct treatment choices.

[bigmak5]

I just got a quote from another place “an Exam is $60.00 and a culture/sensitivity test is $70.00.” much more affordable for me. i don’t know if their as good with rabbits though, they say they treat rabbits but the other place was recommend by rabbit owners after i asked on another website to some people. im thinking go cheaper because its gonna be the same results back from the lab to treat whatever bacteria. and like this i wont have to worry if i can afford whatever antibiotic they recomend. what do you think?

[LittlePuffyTail]

Are they sending the culture away to an outside lab?

I would just ask them some questions to see how much they know about rabbits. Ask what they think the problem with your bunny could be and how it can be treated, just to see what they say.

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