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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Can’t get my bun in for 3 weeks

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    • RalphiesMomma
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        Hi, Ralphie has been having some dental problems with his molars I believe since he had his insciors removed. Due to my money situation I won’t be able to afford the vet bill for 3 weeks. I’ve called the vet and they told me they couldn’t give any advice without seeing him beforehand. I’m very worried he’s going to take a decline in health due to this. I was wondering if anybody have advice for me to help him out until then? His poops are half the size and sometimes they will smell, he will not eat hay what so ever anymore, he will eat pellets and drink his water and sometimes eat his veggies. I’ve tried feeding him baby food veggies but he refused to eat it. I’m a first time bunny owner and Ralphie has always had dental problems. I’m not sure if this is normal for his breed or if it’s something I’m doing wrong? Many people on these forums have helped me a ton with advice. I’m praying he will be okay for 3 weeks I’m just really not sure what to do until then.


      • Deleted User
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          Sorry to be blunt but you should take him before 3 weeks. My rabbit thumper had runny eyes due to his teeth problems which the vet didn’t spot until Thumper stopped eating completely. He stooped eating a week after he started having runny eyes. Due to this I would definitely suggest to take him as soon as possible.

          Good luck

          Krystal


        • RalphiesMomma
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            I have no money to get him in before 3 weeks, the vet does not take partial payment I’m just not even able to if I was I definitely would be getting him today. Sometimes people have money problems like this, I’m just asking for advice. I honestly feel really bad but I have no other option. Does anyone know if vets will bill you the payment? Or hold it?


          • Vienna Blue in France
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              Shelby hi. Money problems are as such, but I don’t believe a vet (who presumaby knows you) would let any animal suffer in return for up front payments.
              As I’m sure you know, rabbits’ health can take a turn for the worse very quickly. It’s good if Ralphie is eating & drinking. Poops do smell. Wee does too. You must keep an eye on poops. If they are getting smaller it may mean GI stasis setting in.

              Don’t wait long if the poops continue getting smaller or if he stops eating.

              As much as I respect the next person’s beliefs, praying will not help if Ralphie does have a real medical problem.

              Keep in touch.


            • Odette
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                Hi Shelby. I agree with Vienna. Call the vet who did Ralphie’s surgery and explain what is going on with him and that you need them to please hold a check. You can offer to bring in a paystub/bank statement to verify income.

                They understand that our babies don’t just get sick on payday. I’m sure they have options. Also, I doubt the expense would be anywhere near what you paid for the incisor removal.


              • RalphiesMomma
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                  I made his appointment for the 1st of next month at 10am. I will not go back to the vet I took him to the first time due to awful business there. They were extremely rude and didn’t sympathize with me at all. They kept him for 3 days not telling me at all how he was when I called. Didn’t appreciate them at all. The vet I called today said they don’t do payment plans. I’m really trying I know praying isn’t going to help him either. I told the vet all that was going on and she just set his appointment up and gave me all my estimates cost wise.


                • MK
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                    I’m sorry you are having these issues. I completely understand about the money situation. It is unfortunate that you cannot get him in, but do be careful and keep a good eye on him. Another option is maybe to look for a rabbit shelter in your area, sometimes they are able to help get a rabbit medical attention faster and sometimes cheaper.
                    I will be happy to pray for you and Ralphie I believe it actually DOES have an effect on daily life, and help from all areas is always good


                  • Odette
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                      I understand, Shelby. I changed vets this year because I didn’t like or trust the vet or his staff.

                      If you are in the US, there is a line of credit called Care Credit. I am not posting a link because I don’t know if its against the rules. But, if you google Care Credit, you’ll find it. The interest is high, but that’s ok as long as you pay off the balance as quickly as possible. The card is specifically for vet, dental, etc and you can search their site for vets in your area that accept it. Most do now. Also, you get an immediate response and number to use.

                      I hope Ralphie feels better soon and I hope you like the new vet.


                    • RalphiesMomma
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                        Is care credit available for those without any credit? The bank still won’t let me have a credit card because I have no credit yet. Or not enough not sure. I’ve heard of pet assure and have looked it up and sounds like an amazing idea. I’ll have to look up care credit. Thank you last two replies for being so sweet. I’m glad some people understand where I’m coming from. It really hurts me knowing he’s sick and wouldn’t wish it on anyone to be stuck like this. It sucks so much.


                      • Roberta
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                          You can also try crowd funding through youcaring.com or gofundme.com I am having to do that myself at the moment with Lucy who has been receiving ongoing treatment since April for a very nasty localised pasteurella infection behind her eyes that has been aggravated by allergies. It isn’t covering all the costs but it gets me over the hump when the bank account is completely bare as the meds have sometimes been $200+ a fortnight during the worst stages and probably again for the next few weeks.
                          You will find a way, let friends and family know and share your fund raiser with them.


                        • Odette
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                            I was approved in college when I had little credit history and my only income was from graduate teaching (so not much income either). I can’t remember the form, but I am pretty sure you need a bank account. I don’t know if the bank card matters.

                            I can’t make any promises, but its worth trying. If you’re approved, the money is available immediately. You don’t have to wait for the card. You literally know in less than a minute. They do a hard pull– just be aware of that. Too many hard pulls will lower your credit, but one won’t hurt.


                          • Odette
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                              I definitely agree with Roberta’s crowdsourcing suggestion too.


                            • RalphiesMomma
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                                What is a hard pull? I am a shift supervisor at a children’s resale store called once upon a child down in Texas. I am full time but I support two people and get paid 9.50 an hour. I do not have any bills in my name.


                              • Odette
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                                  A hard pull is where they check your credit report. One isn’t a big deal, but several over a short period will lower your credit score.

                                  One hard pull won’t hurt your credit.

                                  P.s. you might want to edit out your personal info here. Trust me, you make more than I was paid as a grad assistant

                                  If you are denied its the lack of credit history. But, everyone starts somewhere with credit history, so it cannot hurt to try. The only reason I’d say not to try is if the minimum payment would be too tough ($25 per month until you pay off the balance) or if you’re under 18.


                                • RalphiesMomma
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                                    I’ll give it a try, thanks that helps a lot. So if I do get accepted I would be able to go see the vet tomorrow probably huh?


                                  • RalphiesMomma
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                                      So I just applied and turns out they can’t approve my application for it and I’ll get a mailed letter in 7-10 business days. That really sucks I guess I could go with pet assure but I need to wait until payday still unfourtunatley.


                                    • Roberta
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                                      • Roberta
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                                          You might want to look through this link. Listed by the humane society are organisations, by state, that assist with finance, food, training and vetting.
                                          http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91375398#Below


                                        • Odette
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                                            I’m sorry, Shelby. It was worth trying.

                                            I still think Roberta’s crowdsourcing idea is a very good one.

                                            You could even ask friends or family for a personal loan. They love you– they know how special Ralphie is.

                                            I’m sorry this is so tough and I hope you find a viable option. Give your sweet boy a nose rub.


                                          • Odette
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                                              The Humane Society Link has so many Texas based organizations. That’s fantastic, Roberta.


                                            • RalphiesMomma
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                                                I’m looking through it but confused on what it does? I can’t find rabbit stuff anywhere. Any help on navigating the site to what I need to find?


                                              • RalphiesMomma
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                                                  All I can find is spay/neutering options for the Houstonhumanesociety I’m just confused on the concept will they let me pay it later?


                                                • Roberta
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                                                    Contact the ones that offer veterinary assistance and see if they can get you in or see if they know a vet in your area that treats rabbits that will see you on invoice. If you click on the state TX it shows what different services are available.


                                                  • Roberta
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                                                      Maybe start with this one http://www.thepetfund.com/


                                                    • RalphiesMomma
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                                                        It seems like all of these are the ones that will need for me to pay some sort of small balance to make sure I’d pay them later. I need a vet that will do the exam and let me pay them on the 1st of next month my family won’t help with the expenses long story.


                                                      • jerseygirl
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                                                          Some things you might be able to do for Ralphie at the moment is soak the pellets if he has any trouble with them. You could also try soaking hay and cutting it up small. Or buy some ore chopped hay.

                                                          You could look into buying hay pellets which are 100% hay. Give them as they are or soak them also. You might be able to by some critical care from the vet also, before he gets seen.

                                                          I think Pet Assure is definitely worth considering as they cover pre-existing cinditions. Unfortunately, dental conditions are ongoing, so having so me cover should help you out in the future.

                                                          Thanks everyone for finding all these financial options for Shelby & Ralphie!!
                                                          Just a quick word on crowd sourcing- it’s certainly okay to suggest these options and links to home pages as has been done in this thread. We just cannot put up specific links to fundraisers.

                                                          ETA: A couple options regarding funds – See whether you can get an advance on your wages? Or, if paying a mortgage, apply for hardship status which gives you a little break in having to make the payments. If renting, see if there is something similar where you can catch it up over the coming weeks?


                                                        • jerseygirl
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                                                            Roberta, I’m sending you a PM about a company I used last week for meds.


                                                          • Brambino
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                                                              Is Ralphie insured? If he is, vets sometimes make arrangements with the insurers to be paid direct. The vets may be more likely to extend credit to you if they know they will eventually be paid by insurers if it is over a certain amount.


                                                            • Bam
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                                                                I agree with Jersey about pellet mash and chopped-up hay (it’s easier to cut it with scissors though). If he’s not eating enough so he’s is losing weight, you need to syringe-feed him. You can mix pellet mash with veg baby pure or mashed plain pumpkin.

                                                                I once had to syringe feed my bun for 3 weeks before my vet decided he needed his molars burred (she didn’t see anything wrong with them at first). I fed Critical Care with unsweetened berry juice with probiotic bacteria and that kept my bun in great physical shape. A few days after the burr he was eating like normal again.
                                                                It’s of course not recommendable, but it can be done. In my case it was the vet’s inability to properly diagnose my bun that delayed treatment – but luckily CC is a great product that really can sustain a bun who won’t eat.


                                                              • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                  Posted By Shelby&Ralphie on 9/19/2016 4:55 PM

                                                                  I will not go back to the vet I took him to the first time due to awful business there. They were extremely rude and didn’t sympathize with me at all. They kept him for 3 days not telling me at all how he was when I called. Didn’t appreciate them at all. The vet I called today said they don’t do payment plans. I’m really trying I know praying isn’t going to help him either. I told the vet all that was going on and she just set his appointment up and gave me all my estimates cost wise.

                                                                  Totally agree with not going back to a vet you have had a bad experience with. Some just don’t “get it” that it is the humans who pay the bills, so they’ve got to be nice and polite to us too !! Being sympathetic and giving updates are basic vet procedures !

                                                                  It’s certainly worth crowdfunding or similar if you can’t get hep from work or family – there are people out there who like to help others.

                                                                  I’m sure the vets get lots of phone requests for advance payments from people they don’t know who never come through.

                                                                  So maybe when you go once, they see how you care for your bun, they might have another payment arrangement for you.  Always ask the vet who you see rather than the receptionist who may not have the power to authorise this.

                                                                  “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”  (And it always works a bit better with a smile).

                                                                  As MK says, any help, from anywhere, is always welcome…. 


                                                                • RalphiesMomma
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                                                                    Thank you all so much y’all have all helped so much to get me through this process. I have been mushing his pellets with baby food that has spinach in it. So far he’s had two bowls of his pellets with the baby food so I am guessing he does like it. I’ll keep updated. Y’all are all so sweet ?


                                                                  • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                      I’m glad he is still willing to eat.

                                                                      As suggested, if you can get a hold of it, Critical Care would be beneficial to help him with the fibre and so he doesn’t lose too much weight while he waits.


                                                                    • RalphiesMomma
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                                                                        Bam, do you think I should still syringe feed him even though he is still eating? The pellet mash with baby food and hay is so perfect! I never even thought about that. Thank you all so much.


                                                                      • Odette
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                                                                          I am so glad to hear Ralphie is taking the food.


                                                                        • RalphiesMomma
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                                                                            He is taking the food and he also has a little more pep in his step today. He was doing binkys on my bed when I got home and his chin isn’t wet anymore. Still matted but not wet. All pretty good signs. Hopefully our vet visit goes well.


                                                                          • Bam
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                                                                              Glad to hear it! Even a binky! If he takes food, you don’t have to syringe any. They don’t like being syringe fed (as you might have noticed).

                                                                              Keeping my fingers crossed for the vet visit.


                                                                            • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                I have a question (for anyone) : if Ralphie is eating by himself (and in the couple of days will go back to eating full amounts), and if he’s pooping properly and weeing and binkying… could it be a temporary hiccup that he has got over?
                                                                                Does he need to go for a checkup?
                                                                                I’m only saying this so that Shelby coud put aside (into a special BunnyBank!) the money she woud have paid for this visit and then have it available for an emergency visit if necessary (we hope not ) in the future.

                                                                                If it is his molars as she first thought, wouldn’t he still be showing symptoms ?


                                                                              • Bam
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                                                                                  The wetness under his chin must have had some reason, but it doesn’t have to be the molars. It’s just the most likely explanation. For some reason there’s been drooling – but maybe it’s about adjusting to not having any incisors. It could also be due to sth having been stuck between two teeth, sth that’s gone now. 

                                                                                  If his inappetence had nothing to do with his teeth he could very well just “snap out” of it. Rabbits do that all the time. But if his chin becomes wet again and he keeps refusing hard/difficult to chew food, this is probably a dental thing. You don’t want to wait too long with overgrown molars because that can give rise to secondary problems like dental abscesses.

                                                                                  dental disorders rabbit

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                                                                              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Can’t get my bun in for 3 weeks