Rabbit-friendly vet in Boston area/nail clipping?

[Estecca]

My rabbit is terrified of getting his nails clipped after I clipped the quick the first time, and his nails are so dark that even with a flashlight under them, I can’t see the quick at all. I have a horrible time clipping even a tiny bit off because he gets so distressed, I need someone to be able to hold him securely while I clip, and his quicks are long now so I’m terrified I’ll hurt him more. It’s horrible, and people always suggest going to the vet, but somehow I can’t find a rabbit-friendly/specialty vet in the city of Boston, which I find ridiculous. I took him to the VCA Brookline Animal Hospital because they had good reviews but when I brought him in it was clear they didn’t deal with many rabbits and they were really rushed and brusque. They did clip his nails but I they took him out of the exam room so I have no idea how they did it and they said he bled a bit. I asked the vet there about a rabbit specialist in the area and he said there was only one at Angell Animal Medical Center but she left. The check-up/nail clipping was not a good experience at all and prohibitively expensive anyway.

What am I supposed to do when clipping my rabbits nails is next to impossible, terrifying for him and me both, but there isn’t anyone in my area I can take him to? Does anyone know of a rabbit specialist or somewhere I could just get a simple nail clipping in Boston?

[RabbitPam]

First, be sure to read through the Bunny Info., Monthly Maintenance section for any tips you may have missed. Sounds like you have since you’ve used the flashlight, though.

Next, at the top of the Forum Q&A section, there are two pinned posts about finding a rabbit savvy vet. I used to live in MA, and there may be a good one just north or west of the city, but you want to look in your phone book locally for those vets listed under Exotics if you don’t find one via the links in those posts.

Finally, my tried and true method is called “Press, press, clip”. You hold the nail between the clippers and press down, but DO NOT snip the first time. Do this twice in a row. (Say it out loud each time.) The third time, you clip the nail, keeping the clippers on the same spot each time. What happens is: if you touch the quick, your bunny will pull their paw away. Let him. It means you’ve touched the quick. Get back into position and press at a point closer to the tip of the nail. Press, press, clip if your bunny holds still. The wiggling to be free from your hold (try a bunny burrito) is different from jerking his paw away. This usually prevents you cutting the quick, and you can continue. Have plain corn starch next to you to stop the bleeding if you do cut him. I wouldn’t like a vet that caused him to “bleed a little” either.
My bunny puts up a fight when I go to catch her for a trim, but afterwards she clearly loves having her nails down, so just have that treat handy for when you finish and keep trying. It’s better to find a vet that can show you how, and do it with practice, then to have to pay for it every time. But sometimes, if you must, you must.

[Sarita]

Rabbitpam’s advice about the nail clipping is a great one.  I would suggest that.

 In the meantime, you do need to find a rabbit experienced vet, here is a list that might help you get started:

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/vets.shtml

[Estecca]

Thank you both, I’ll keep looking for a vet. The Littleton Animal Hospital is near my hometown and I’ve heard great things, I just know that when I called about getting him neutered, it cost $400 there, so I’ll call again, but I highly doubt I can afford to take him there.

[janeteross]

I’m legally blind and can’t clip my bunnies’ nails myself, either. I often taken my bunnies to Belmont Pet Shop near Waverley Square in Belmont. The people there are lovely, they do a good job, and they have lots of rabbit necessities always in stock. I’ve also had it done very well and even for free at Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital in Waltham, though we were there in the first place for an actual healthcare emergency.

[LBJ10]

Posted By janeteross on 4/13/2015 1:59 PM

I’m legally blind and can’t clip my bunnies’ nails myself, either. I often taken my bunnies to Belmont Pet Shop near Waverley Square in Belmont. The people there are lovely, they do a good job, and they have lots of rabbit necessities always in stock. I’ve also had it done very well and even for free at Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital in Waltham, though we were there in the first place for an actual healthcare emergency.

Hi janeteross! Welcome to BB! This is an old thread (over 2 years old). We try to keep old threads from being bumped up because it causes confusion. What you have posted sounds very helpful though and it may help someone else searching on the forum for information so I’m going to leave it here. Hope to see you around the forum!

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