my vet declaws rabbits!

[bradforde]

i just found this out. i am horrified. and i spend a ton of money at this vet with my rescues AND refer people to him, too. Is it worth talking over and trying to change his mind (and not punch him in the process) or do i take my money and rescues elsewhere (the other rabbit vet in town does NOT declaw, but is more expensive).

advice??

[Sarita]

Did the vet himself tell you this and it’s not heresay?

If I found this out, then I would definitely seek another vet and stop referring people to him if it’s indeed true.

[Beka27]

I would not be able to give this vet my business. I shudder at the thought of that whole procedure. Is he a reasonable person that you think you could speak to regarding this? Taking your business elsewhere is not going to stop him from doing this unless he KNOWS he stands to lose a lot by continuing.

[bradforde]

i talked to the office manager. she said “he doesn’t like to do it, but he does it.”

to me, that is just unacceptable. i called the other vet in town, and the office girl was like “NO WAY!!” only if the paw was seriously mangled or something.

the actual vet is out of town until Monday, when i have an appt. with him anyway. i am just so scared to confront him about it, but if i am leaving anyway, i do want him to know why.

anyone know if the AVA or AVMA supports this practice or not? I tried looking for it online, but can’t find out for sure. that would be a great argument to throw out there.

[Sarita]

Then I think I would have to ask him and see if he would and if he even has.

I have no idea if the AVA or AVMA supports this practice – have you checked their website?

[Beka27]

I respect a vet who will stand up for what they believe in (even if this means refusing to perform a procedure and possibly losing a client.) If you are going to leave and go to the other vet, I would suggest you tell him why, but keep in mind that it may be necessary for you to see him again in case of an emergency, so don’t “burn bridges” when speaking with him.

[bradforde]

oh, it’s just so hard to stay calm when talking about something like this, this is why i avoid confrontation – i’m a bad “talk before i think” person. maybe i should bring along a friend to the visit to keep me in check…

[amandafaith90]

Excuse my ignorance, but why is that bad? I know they do it on cats. I’ve just never heard of this before. I’m confused as to why you would declaw a bunny, and why is everyone so upset by it? It seems to me like a kind of useless risk to put a bunny through. Is that why you’re all upset? I am honestly just flabbergasted by this.

[Sarita]

http://www.rabbit.org/care/declawing.html

Amanda here is something on the House Rabbit Society that might answer your questions.

Might also be something for you bradforde to use in your discussion with the vet.

[tabalab]

I don’t even like it when people get their cats de-clawed. Here is why: 1) if your cat gets out of the house and has no from claws or neither front or back, how is it to defend itself of get food? 2) if you provide your cat with things to scratch and help it to understand that certain things are not to be scratched then it will learn. Cats are very smart. 3) what is the point of declawing a cat? Is the owner to lazy to train and teach it was is okay and not?

I am a huge cat person! and now am obsessed with buns but I know a hell of a lot more about cats. I have had cats my whole life! Infact my 2 cats i had when i was 5 are still alive and healthy (they are 15 years old) they were only inside cats and when we moved up north became inside outside cats. The same solution people use for bunnys digging and scratching at walls can be used for cats!

Sorry this is not a light subject for me declawing any animal unless because of a health reason is just wrong in my thoughts

[tabalab]

excuse my misspelling and typos I tend to type way to fast when i get upset and therefor have a ton of errors

[bradforde]

i think declawing a cat is wrong, but doing it to a rabbit is even worse, because they don’t have a retractive claw – declawing a rabbit is like declawing a dog – you have to basically cut off their toes. it’s just horrible.

and the lady i was talking to this morning wanted to have her rabbit declawed because she doesn’t like trimming toenails. ugh.

[bradforde]

and thanks sarita for the link!

[tabalab]

Cant a vet tech clip toe nails ? or Doesnt she know other fellow bunny lovers who would be happy to help her out ?!!!

[tabalab]

My biggest trances really easy so He isnt so bad for the toe nail clippings

[Beka27]

Thank you for link Sarita. I have saved it for future reference.

[Sarita]

Oh goodness Bradforde – she doesn’t need to have any pet if she feels this way. How frustrating you are having to deal with people like this.

I have to admit, this is something I don’t enjoy doing either and from the posts about this on the forum, it’s not a frustration for many people but there are better ways as tabalab suggests to rectify this problem.

[bradforde]

a friend of mine at the CO HRS sent me a couple of anti-declawing vets numbers to pass along. maybe talking to other vets will help convince him?

[Sarita]

Absolutely agree, other vets as resources are a fabulous idea. Put a little peer pressure on him.

[Beka27]

That is a great idea too! He may be more inclined to talk with other colleagues in his field.

[bunnytowne]

If the vet says himself to you he does declaw rabbits ask him why.  It could be the bunnies foot was messed up. 

If you find he just does it cuz people want it done then discuss it with him and ask him to change his mind about it.   If this is possible for him to stop doing.  Otherwise let him know you dont’ agree with it and will be seeing another vet for your buns and vet referrals. As you feel so strongly about the issue.

Cats are one thing buns quite another.   Poor bunnies how harmful that must be for them. I can’t imagine a bun without toes.  Grrrrr

[tabalab]

The only thing is he might be upset with you: him being a doctor and all. So i wouldn’t press the issue to much if he starts sounding irritated with you questioning him. As someone said early try not to burn bridges. Just come rant here we’ll help you deal with it. I know this is serious and I am not saying that I don’t think it is. Im just suggesting that he might feel like you are questioning his knowledge as a vet!

[Beka27]

Are you near the CO HRS? You might also be able to use their list of vets who do not declaw to find a new (possibly better?) vet to take your buns to.

[bradforde]

i just have to figure out a way to present it in a non-confrontational way so that he will actually call them and talk about it…whether or not he still has my business, i just want him to stop doing it period.

[tabalab]

Yup sounds like you have a plan

[bradforde]

and no, i’m not in CO anymore, i live in AR now – good rabbit vets are few and far between…

[Beka27]

Oh that’s right! I think we were discussing that before how things are sort of “backwards” where you live now.

[bradforde]

that’s a nice way to put it. i have a few other choice words i like to use!

i am preparing my speech for the vet when i see him on monday, so hopefully, if nothing else, i will leave him better informed. and thanks everyone for the support, i feel much less angry than i did this morning. i was literally shaking when i was talking to them on the phone.

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