How often should you take your bunny to the vet?

[mschoonover11]

Hi all.

I am planning to take my bunny to the vet in April for the first time(he’s only 5 months old). I’ve heard from many people that bunnies should visit their vet for a health check at least once a year. Is that accurate? Or should they go more than once a year? I’ve just been curious about this topic. At the annual health checks, do they cut the bunnies nails and check their teeth and all that other stuff? I’m a pretty new bunny owner and am still trying to learn all this stuff That’s why I’ve been posting all these forums

[DanaNM]

I think once a year is fabulous. I wouldn’t go more than once a year unless there was a specific problem that required it, since the whole ordeal is stressful for the bunny. You can weigh your bun at home though on a regular basis, as weight loss or gain can be an indication of a problem.

The vet will check their teeth, eyes, ears, take their temp, weigh them, poke and prode them a bit, check their overall condition. They will trim their nails if you request it, but I think some vets charge extra. They might not if you are already there for a visit though.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Deleted User]

My vet recommends every six months for rabbits. One of the most important parts of the exam is having their teeth checked, since they can cause major problems if something goes wrong! Some vets include a nail trim and some don’t. I’d recommend getting familiar with doing it yourself since nails usually need to be trimmed often. With my older rabbits, I have annual bloodwork done, but it might not be necessary for younger rabbits unless there is a specific reason to do it. It’s an extra cost and not included with the regular exam.

I do a weekly at-home mini exam with all my rabbits where I weigh them and check them closely for any signs of illness or injury, and I also pay close attention to their eating and litterbox habits. If anything seems off, I make a vet appointment right away. This doesn’t replace the annual/semiannual vet visits but I think it’s a good idea for all rabbit owners!

[sarahthegemini]

Once or twice a year. I will take mine twice as they have the RHD vax once a year and the RHD2 is every 6 months. They get a health check with the vaccinations.

[mschoonover11]

Thanks guys!

I think once a year is what I can afford unless he has a health issue and I’d need to take him more than once a year. I have tried trimming his nails and he just doesn’t let me. My mom offered to help me today so I’ll see how that goes. If he doesn’t allow it, I’ll have to ask his vet to do it.

@sarahthegemini, you mentioned you take your buns to get vaccinations. Is it necessary? My dog always gets her vaccinations, but I didn’t think that rabbits needed them. You also mentioned that they get a health check with the vaccinations. How does that work? Do I just make an appointment for vaccinations and have the health check included? This topic is a bit confusing.

[Sirius&Luna]

Vaccinations are for European bunnies – I don’t think you can get them or need them in America

I take mine twice a year for their vaccinations too, but it’s within a month of each other, which is a bit annoying.

[joea64]

I’ve been recommended to take my own two twice a year, so that’s what I’m doing – in fact I have their next semi-annual lined up for early May. I think it’s best this way since Panda and Fernando, being a small breed (not quite dwarfs, I think, but close) need to have particular attention paid to things like their teeth. Panda and Fernando, to all appearances, are in blooming health but I like to have a qualified professional backstop me.

[Gordo and Janice]

Yes our vet down here never said anything about vaccinations.  So Icey never had any.  And for us, cutting her nails was definitely a two person job.  I’m sure there are some here who do it one person style and probably could tell you (or show via a link) their technique.  But with Janice and I, she held the rabbit and I did the nail clipping.  And of course we used the flashlight technique to be careful to avoid the quick.

[Bam]

Vaccinations are currently available only for European and Australian rabbits. The diseases they protect against aren’t carried by cottontail buns, so there is no real natural reservoir for those diseases among American wildlife, and that’s a very good thing. There is an ongoing outbreak of one of the viruses in Canada though, among colonies of feral domestic rabbits. There is talk about importing a vaccine.

I’ve just booked Bam in for his yearly myxo-RHD-shot + health exam. You can opt to only get the vaccine, but the health check by a bunny-savvy vet is at a discount when you’re vaccinate your bun.

[mschoonover11]

Thanks again for the replies!

I’m going to my local House Rabbit Society this Saturday, so they do a program where they teach you how to clip your bunnies nails. I also need them totach me how to brush his hair. I know how to do it, but he never stays still!

@bam, that’s nice that they give you a discount for vaccinating your bun! Like everyone said, it’s only for Aussie and European buns, but I would still like to talk about it with my vet anyways. I think I’m taking him in either May or June. He definitely needs the health exam though!

[justwildbeat]

I’d say once a year is good especially if their young and healthy. Also it’d be good to see if your vet handles off-hour emergencies, early/late hours, or even a hotline. There are online videos and tutorials on DIY rabbit grooming. It’d save you an extra trip and expenses. You just need to practice and become comfortable with it. I’ve got a crazy hairy lionhead, which forces me to trim his fur and nails frequently.

[mschoonover11]

Posted By justwildbeat on 4/05/2018 3:23 PM

I’d say once a year is good especially if their young and healthy. Also it’d be good to see if your vet handles off-hour emergencies, early/late hours, or even a hotline. There are online videos and tutorials on DIY rabbit grooming. It’d save you an extra trip and expenses. You just need to practice and become comfortable with it. I’ve got a crazy hairy lionhead, which forces me to trim his fur and nails frequently.

Thanks

Lucky! I wish my bun forced me to trim his nails!! Instead my bun will NOT let me…

I’m pretty sure once a year is what I’m going to do. And your’e right, about asking my vet about the after hours. That’s very important. 

[kurottabun]

I think @justwildbeat is referring to the general term of “forced to” due to the bun’s breed (lionhead), not actually forced by the bun himself? Lol!

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