Advice for Rabbit Owners

You just added a new furry member to your family, and this one hops and nibbles vegetables rather than steak or fish. Your new pet is a rabbit. You may not realize it, but rabbits need veterinary care too. Unfortunately, not every vet office has the correct equipment and expertise to care for your new rabbit. Phoenix rabbit owners are in luck because North Central Animal Hospital is the perfect animal hospital for rabbit families. What should you look for when seeking out a veterinarian for your new pet rabbit? Read on to find out.

Experience

Ask the veterinarian how many patients are rabbits. How long has the staff been treating rabbits and where did they acquire their training. It is also important to know whether the experience is with pet rabbits, stock rabbits, or show rabbits. Each of these has special needs that require different approaches to care. Does this vet know how to meet the needs of elderly rabbits?

References

Is the veterinarian willing to put you in touch with other rabbit owners who have used their service? Make sure the past patients are happy and healthy and that their caretakers are willing to recommend the vet.

Preventing and Treating Common Rabbit Illnesses

Rabbits are subject to conditions such as bloat and GI stasis, among others. Ask the veterinarian what they would do to help prevent or treat these ailments. It might also help to ask what they would suggest in the way of a home rabbit first aid kit.

Some Medications are Harmful to Rabbits

Even one dose of some of the most common antibiotics can kill your rabbit. Ask how the vet would treat an infection. Know that if the office mentions Amoxicillin, lincomycin, or clindamycin, they do not know how to treat rabbits and you should look elsewhere.

North Central Animal Hospital

At the North Central Animal Hospital in Phoenix, we can answer these questions because we have years of experience providing local rabbit owners with reliable veterinary care. Your pet rabbit is just as special and loved as any cat or dog, and we will work with you to keep your rabbit healthy for many years to come. For more information on veterinary care for rabbits or to schedule an appointment, call us at (602) 395-9773.