Help. My bunny is sick!

[Jamifus]

I got home the other night & my rabbit was lating on it’s side which is not unusual. But usually my bunny will not let you pick her up. So my boyfriend reached in & picked her up & carried her to me. She isnt walking very well but she doesnt appear to be in pain. She wont drink out of her water bottle anymore. Only out of the little blue bowl I put in front of her. & she’s not eating as much as she used to. But she’s still eating & drinking. But if she tries to to move too quickly she loses balance & falls on her side. She used to be so hyper & ran around all the time.

I know I need to take her to the vet. But i need to know what to do until I can get through to the vet.

 

Please help!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It sounds like your bunny is very very sick and needs to get to a vet immediately!! When can you take her in???

[Sarita]

Can you get her to the vet today? The sooner the better. That is truly the best thing you can do for her – do you have any critical care on hand to hand feed her?

It is possible she is in pain – rabbits are prey animals and don’t show pain the same way you and I do.

Do you have a good rabbit vet that you can get her too?

[Jamifus]

I dont get paid for 2 more days. & i dont know any good vets in my area.
I live near douglasville GA. can you please help me?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yes, we’ll try to find a vet in your area asap…it probably can’t wait two days, the vet will probably allow you to pay later if you arrange that ahead of time…I’ll be right back!

[Sarita]

Here is a link to the vets recommended by the Georgia House Rabbit Society

http://www.houserabbitga.org/vet.html

If you don’t see a vet near you I encourage you to contact them to see if they know of any others not on the list near you so you can get her in as soon as you get paid.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Here’s something to get you started, phone and make sure they take rabbits before you go. You can also ask about paying later…but I’d tell them it’s an emergency before you talk about paying. Get thee to a vet! Keep us posted. **VIBES**

http://www.switchboard.com/Veterinarians/Douglasville/GA/22/Yellowpages_Results.html

http://www.douglasvillevh.com/

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1T4GZHZ_enUS250US250&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=VET+LISTING&near=Douglasville,+GA&fb=1&view=text&latlng=33699029,-84786849,15367768673335558944

http://www.orranimalhospital.com/

http://www.hiramanimalhospital.com/

http://www.newgah.com/

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1T4GZHZ_enUS250US250&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=VET+LISTING&near=Douglasville,+GA&fb=1&view=text&latlng=33813010,-84634670,10067052916292761135

http://www.cobbevc.com/

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1T4GZHZ_enUS250US250&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=VET+LISTING&near=Douglasville,+GA&fb=1&view=text&latlng=33738346,-84772640,11528775048313942322

http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/2958206/

http://www.myvetonline.com/website/dallashighwayanimalhospital/?php-pending=false

http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Veterinarians/S-GA/T-Douglasville/

[MarkBun]

Yes, get to the vet immediately. And if you or your boyfriend have time, look around the house for anything she might have gotten into – but don’t waste time looking if you can get to the vet now.

I’m not a vet but it sounds like some type of poisoning to me.

Some vets will let you defer payment a couple of days if you can’t afford the visit right away.

[babybunsmum]

definitely do not wait to goto a vet.  check out the links k&k gave you… call them & tell them upfront you have an emergency & need to arrange payment.  ((((((vibes to your bunny))))))

let us know  how you make out

[JK]

Yes please get her to the vet! Any good reputable vet would most likely let you pay in a couple of days. It would be inhumane not to. Good luck. Keep us posted.

[bunnytowne]

don’t mention$ till after the bun is seen then you can make ararngments if you  mention it first they may not see her. they usually ask for the bill to be paid after being seen so they know what to charge

[kimberleyanddarren]

any updates?

[RabbitPam]

How is she?
Probably you’ve already gone, but I was going to suggest using a credit card if you or your boyfriend have one. Then you’ll have the $ by the time the bill is in.

[notjulesverne]

Poor bun, how scary….

[Gravehearted]

jamifus – were you able to get her into the vet today? please let us know how she is doing. sending lots of healing vibes her way.

[KatnipCrzy]

I would make sure that you find out about payment options, maybe there is a friend or family member that will put amount on credit card- the vet clinic can usually do this over the phone with them.

It is a really bad idea to OK any vet care, procedures and medications if you can not pay for them.  It is no different than going to the grocery store, loading up your cart and when presented with the total- telling the cashier you will be in next week to pay.  You will find that the vet will be alot less willing to work with you if this is an ongoing illness and may even refuse to see your pet again without cash upfront before he even examines the animal.   If you have a regular vet, and have been an established client for years- then that is a totally different case.  But walking into a vet for the first time and OKing an exam, x-rays, bloodwork, etc and THEN telling them you can not pay is equal to stealing.  Chances are you will not be sent home with any medications (since you already bought services that aren’t paid for) and depending on what they can legally do- you might be required to fill out credit application forms, not have the rabbit released until you can pay (but hospitalized at your expense), or law enforcement contacted.

That is why it is important to maintain a good relationship with a vet that you trust- they will more likely be willing to work payment arrangements with you as opposed to someone that just walked in the door.  And starting a vet relationship by being unable to pay is not a good way to start.

I know this sounds horrible to some people- and they think because in animal is involved that payment should not be required- but a vet has the same right to be paid as the grocery store or a car repair place.  A vets office is not a lending institution/bank- it is your responsibility to apply for Care Credit, ask friends or family for loan or use of their credit card, etc.  What commonly happens when a new client comes in with a very sick pet- does not have finances to pay for treatment, etc- in most cases if payment or credit card # is not on file- if pet dies- the bill is NEVER paid.  Sad, but true.  Even though it is not the vets fault that the rabbit was so ill by the time it came in- and they did everything possible with limited budget to keep bill reasonable- they still take the financial hit for it.

 

[Sarita]

KatnipCrzy – that is true and some very good advice!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Jamifus-any news? How is your bunny?

[BunnyLugs]

Best of luck to you, it’s awful when you have no money, I can totally sympathise. Fingers crossed you made it in time. It is very stressful worrying about a sick pet. Lots of love to you x

[skunklionshow]

Katnip is right on w/ her suggestions. I always recommend establishing a relationship w/ a vet b/f you need to see the vet.  Most vets are willing to work w/ their regular customers.  Even w/ the money I shovel out for all my pets and the great relationship I have w/ my practice, their standard practice is to get 50% deposit on all major procedures.  This is true across the board for their good/ established customers and their new customers.  I try my best to respect that b/c the end result is that a vet is still a business.  I have seen one too many practices end up w/ animals b/c the caregiver never came back due to the bill.  Not to sound cruel or heartless, but just b/c you are in a compassionate care environment, doesn’t mean that you can give things away for free.  W/ that to avoid eating costs, most practices are willing to work w/ you.  The hubby & I always keep an open credit card for emergencies.  This is a great reason to get insurance for your rabbits!

Please give us updates!

[Scarlet_Rose]

jamifus, do you have an update for us? I really hope you got your rabbit to the vet.

[Author]

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