Sheldon’s Neuter Appointment

[Valisa]

 So my mum booked Sheldon in for his neuter surgery for $180. She relayed what the person on the phone said to me. My mum was instructed to fast him at 8pm the night before, and take his water away at 7am. When she told me this I immediately told her that is NOT ok to fast a rabbit. My mum went to to say “They know what they’re do, everyone needs to fast before surgery etc.” I then showed her information on the iternet explaining why they shouldn’t fast. I then emailed the Rabbit Clinic which is 40 mins away and charges $288 for a neuter if rabbits should fast. This time I got the corrcet answer: “No it is actually detrimental to fast a rabbit prior to surgery.  We recommend feed as normal and bring a lunch box of favourite greens so we can encourage eating after surgery!”

I know that it was the nurse my mum spoke to, not the vet. I don’t know if the vet says to fast or not, but I don’t like the fact the nurse isn’t properly informed. 

“To castrate a male bunny, it costs $285 – $288.

 

This includes catheter placement, for fluids during the surgery, close monitoring during and post surgery, pain relief to take home, as well as two complimentary nurse consults 2 -4 days after surgery to ensure the bunny is recovery properly.

 

We also offer a free day stay if you feel he needs attention, the day after his surgery.

 

As per human surgery we do require to see him prior to booking any surgeries.

 

Initial consultations cost $95. Which include a thorough general check, a showbag, a diet talk, and we can also check the bunny’s fur and poo for any hidden parasites. 

 

 

If you have seen us before a standard consultation is $84.”

 

This is a pervious email, regarding their services. 

 

$288 seems like a lot of money however I’d rather pay the extra money, and know that he is in good hands. 

 

 

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Call them and ask again. Speak with the vet and if he says to fast, don’t do it. If he says no, continue feeding, let him know his receptionist is telling you otherwise so he can correct the receptionist himself and it won’t happen to future clients.

Sometimes the receptionist just isn’t paying attention and says a line that has been burned into their brain because they have to repeat it so much. So just call the vet, ask the vet himself if you need to fast your rabbit. If he says yes, I’d find a new vet. Says no, let him know what the receptionist told you.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I agree. Speak with the vet. It may have been a new staff member you spoke with. My vet is very experienced with rabbits and the receptionist told me once to fast my bun and I corrected her on it. She then checked with the vet and apologized.

[Valisa]

Ok, I’ll call tomorrow and let you know what the vet says.

[MoveDiagonally]

It sounds like the second vet would actually be $383 since they require the $95 vet consultation/well visit before hand. It does seem on the spendy side but they sound pretty knowledgeable and it includes a lot.

I agree with the others about checking with the 1st to see if the vet says to fast or not. Here are some more questions you could ask to gauge their bunny knowledge (from the HRS):
– How many spays/neuters OF RABBITS has the veterinarian has done in the past year?
– What was the success rate? You want 99% or higher. HRS says vets that spay/neuter for them lost less than 1/2 a percent of their rabbit patients. 
– Is entry to the testicles made through the scrotum or the abdomen? Entry via the abdomen unnecessarily increases the trauma for male rabbits.  
– What anesthetics are used? Generally you want the answer to be Isoflurane.

I just picked out a few, there’s more here:
http://rabbit.org/faq-spaying-and-neutering/

Best of luck! I hope you can find someone knowledgeable and affordable.

[Beka27]

I agree with the others, better to double check with the original vet.

I’m looking at this from the “mom” point-of-view too… If you’re paying for the surgery yourself and you feel more comfortable with the second, more expensive clinic, then go ahead with that. But in this type of situation, if it’s your mom providing the neuter, and the first vet DOES have rabbit neuter experience, and charges a lot less… I wouldn’t want to “look a gift horse in the mouth”. You know not to fast him (KUDOS for you for knowing this and explaining this to your mom!), so regardless, he’s not going to be fasted.

Have you met with the first vet for a check-up for him yet? Did you get a good “vibe” from him?

[Valisa]

I heard nothing about a check-up visit. We were just booked on the Thursday next week.

[Valisa]

Oh and yeah I’m paying for the surgery, but even then my continues to say its just a rabbit, be reasonable.

[Elrohwen]

Definitely talk to the vet. It’s not uncommon for receptionists to tell everybody to fast their pets before surgery, especially if the clinic sees lots of dogs and cats. It doesn’t mean the vet isn’t experienced with rabbits. Talk to him directly and see what he says.

If it’s your money, it’s ultimately your decision about which vet you feel more comfortable with.

[LongEaredLions]

My good rabbit vet had a receptionist that called and reminded us to fast Bella. I said “She’s a rabbit” and she said “Oh, then don’t fast her!” I think they were just calling a list of people to remind, an didn’t look at the species. So it’s definitely worth a call to the vet himself.

[Valisa]

Doubled checked. The nurse accidentally said the wrong thing!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Glad you got that figured out.

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