Start your search by asking your rabbit friends or co-workers for recommendations. Ask for a referral from your local House Rabbit Society chapter (http://www.rabbit.org) or a local rabbit rescue organization. The local humane society may also be able to steer you in the right direction.
Check the phone book for vets who handle "exotics", a term that usually includes rabbits. Make a list of these vets, then call several vets in the yellow pages who do NOT specify exotics and ask to whom they refer rabbit cases. Hopefully, there will be some crossover between your lists.
Once you've narrowed down your choices, call each clinic and ask to speak directly with the doctor at their convenience. Leave any numbers where you can be reached, and be available when they call. Explain that you have a house rabbit and that you want to establish a regular veterinarian for them. Don't assume that just because a veterinarian works with breeders or local 4-H clubs that they are experienced with house rabbits, as they have their own special needs.
Then start asking basic questions, such as:
· Where did they receive their education and training? · How long have they been in practice? · What veterinary conferences have they attended lately? · What medical journals do they read? · How many rabbits do they see per year? · How many rabbit spays/neuters have they done and what is their rate of success? (Don't settle for less than a 98% success rate) · What kind of anesthesia do they use for rabbits? Isoflurane is the safest choice. · Do they provide pain medication post-surgery?
To gauge how familiar the vet is with general rabbit care, ask additional questions:
· Why do they recommend spaying a female bunny? They should mention the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer if left unspayed, and be aware of when rabbits become sexually mature (6 months for females; 3 months for males). · Which antibiotics are dangerous to rabbits? Most of the "cillin" drugs commonly used with cats and dogs, such as amoxicillin, ampicillan, lincomycin, and clindamycin are fatal to rabbits.
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