If they don’t do alot of rabbits the receptionist will tend to use the standard line so I would go ahead and wait and speak to the vet instead of letting that be an indicator of the vet’s knowledge or competency since he/she will be doing the surgery.

And the $110 is actually an extremely reasonable price if you decide to let this vet do the neuter.

When I had one of my rabbits neutered the secretary told me the same thing. I said “but aren’t you not supposed to fast rabbits before surgery?” and she went to check with the vet and came back and told me that I was right.

I’d definetly talk to the vet first though. You want to make sure your comfortable with the vet before she performs surgery on your bun.

yup i’ve been told the same thing i would wait to talk to the vet about it before you judge them too harshly

Yes, the secretary at my vet told me te same thing too. But the vet was brilliant. So I wouldnt worry too much. Talk to the vet first

110$ is a really good price Just ask the secretary to double check on the food though-you can let her know that your pretty sure you were told to feed right up to and after surgery and want to be sure that’s what to do That way you aren’t saying “I know your wrong” and get her to double check.

If the vet says withhold food-perhaps tell him, as nicely as possible…”Rabbits don’t aspirate so with holding food is pointless, and given their digestive system needing continous food, I would feel more comfortable not doing so” and see if he’s agreeable

$110 for a neuter is an amazing price. It’s difficult when there are few choices of vets in an area, and you sometimes will need to put up with a slightly less-than-competent vet, simply b/c there is NO ONE ELSE available. Chances are the receptionist was mistaken, but even if that’s what the vet recommends (and some vets still thinks fasting is necessary!), that does not mean you have to follow those guidelines. You can still offer food and have the vet perform the neuter.

If you want to ask more questions first, please schedule a time to speak with the vet BEFORE the day of the appointment, either over the phone or by going there in person. This way if you are not comfortable and you want to cancel, the office has advanced warning. I believe consideration of the vet’s time is important, even if he/she is not the vet for you.

My first bunny story ended in tragedy. I too live in a remote are of upstate NY.  We took our bun in to the vet (made prior calls to make sure they were knowledgable with rabbits) and the surgery depending on the vets here were anywhere from 70$ to 140$!!!  We took him in and were suppose to pick him up in late afternoon. the surgery went well, however, during the recovery process he somehow snapped his back.  He became paralyzed from the back end down.  After a day of deliberation we had to have him put down. (we already looked at route and had set up an orgainization to help with the paralysis, however, due to the break, He really needed to be put down. he was 7 months. It was MORe than heart breaking. I wrote a letter to this facility and thank goodness the owner actually called me and we had a long talk. They are changing their methods to help keep buns safer. They said sometimes they wish they were not domesticated pets since they are so unpredictable and just holding them can become a risk.  With that being said, they are now changing how they do things. 1) it is a simple procedure, so they are going to have the owner stay with the rabbit until the procedure is over and the owner will be the one holding the bun upon waking up.  The owners will be able to take the bun home right then and there.  I think I feel better with this as well. I have a new baby named willie (profile pic) and he is now4 months. I will be contacting the vet prior to his turning 6 months and go over the procedure again and really working WITH them.  It was easy for me to judge, as it is for everyone.  I feel that if the vets are willing to work with you and learn, then they deserve our attention and support.    Good luck on your surgery, I am sure it will go fine!  I will post after my second surgery becomes complete and I am expecting positive results! 

Thank you for your story Bren. I’m glad that your tragedy turned into something good…I think there are always lessons to be learned. Still so sorry for the sad loss of your first bunny.

Before Dr. Harvey came on board with the VCA hospital near me, they didn’t know what they were doing either. My first rabbit had blood in her urine. They gave her 3 different antibiotic treatments in two days (because they kept prescribing the wrong ones) and was about to give me a fourth before she passed on. They then wanted to charge me another $100 for a necropsy to find out why she died. I told them I knew why – incompetence.

I was shocked when I realized a decade later it was the same hospital (as they had moved and really cleaned up their act). I only found out because on my second visit with my new bun they asked if it was Laser, my first rabbit.

I’m sorry for your loss, Bren. It’s heart-breaking, but the truth is, this could have happened regardless of what the circumstances were or who was with him. It is true that bunnies are such fragile creatures (even tho they don’t always seem that way when they’re tearing around your house!) I think Willie is gorgeous. Please keep us updated on how everything goes with him.

Situations like this are also a big factor in my personal belief that adoption through (reputable!) shelters is best. When you adopt a rabbit who has already been altered, there is one less thing to go wrong or cause you to worry.

thanks guys! Actually the bun was my daughter’s who is 18. But, nonetheless, it was very difficult. I agree it is good that something positive came out of it. We shall see! Willie is definately a trip! This is our first year having rabbits and I have to say I do not think I will ever be without one again, I have absolutely fallen in love with them!

They definitely cast a spell on you! After my first bun passed (he was young as well, only a couple years old) we didn’t get another bun for a couple years. We had a young child, I returned to school, it was just not the right time. When we did finally decide to get another bun, it was probably about another 6 months before we were entirely ready. We spent time contacting local rescues, preparing the house, we really wanted to make the right decision. But the second time around of “bunny ownership” has really cemented my love of buns. We adopted a mate for our bun a year later… and I’ve been living in “bunny universe” ever since.

Bren:  thank you for your story.  I think that’s awesome that the practice changed it’s policies and sought ways to improve.  I think that shows that they really do care about your pet.

Car:  Your bunny is sooooo cute!  Is that a lionhead lop?  OMG I could eat him up.  I ditto talking to the vet prior to the appt.  My vets are always willing to get on the phone w/ me and answer my questions.  Sometimes the receptionists really don’t know much or are less experienced animal people.  One of our receptionists moved into a vet assistant position.  When I picked up Chewie after her spay, her home instructions were to watch for vomiting.  I told her that they don’t vomit.  I thought it was kinda cute b/c she admitted that she’s still learning about the bunny differences.  Everyone has to learn at some point….so I don’t mind if people acknowledge that they didn’t know something, that’s how we all learn.

That’s sounds great. I’m so glad you talked to the vet. I’m sure that has helped put your mind at ease.

Note: You may have some arm lovin’ going on even after surgery. –it takes about a month or so for the hormones to die down, but that after that he should be the perfect gentleman.

BB, I don’t think there is such thing as a “Perfect Gentleman”

I agree Monkey, that lil’ lop lion looks like TROUBLE!

Awesome!!

Posted By Monkeybun on 12/06/2009 12:53 AM

BB, I don’t think there is such thing as a “Perfect Gentleman”

Shhhhh!  Don’t shatter the dream. 

Vibes to your baby. I’m not sure about the scratching due to pain meds – I’ve never had this problem with my rabbits on pain meds.

Aw MJ! (((Vibes))) he heals soon.

Poor little dude! (((((Vibes!!))))

When Mimzy was neutered, I was shocked to see the size of his incisions, mostly because until we’d taken him to the vet for his appointment, we thought he was a girl, and also because…who knew the excised items were SO big on a such little bunny?!
(((((((((((many good healing vibes for MJ!)))))))))))
How warm and dry is your house, btw? That may be why MJ’s ears are itching. I know that’s part of Mimzy’s problem right now. I don’t think we have more than 25% humidity in the house and the static is terrible!