Finding a Veterinarian for Your Rabbit

· What would they recommend to prevent hairballs? The right answer is plenty of hay to eat and daily brushing, and possibly a supplement such as papaya or Laxatone. · Ask if food should be withheld night before surgery. Rabbits should never be fasted. Their digestive systems are designed to process a constant supply of food and fiber. It would take days to empty their stomachs completely, making them very ill. Sometimes rabbit savvy vets will employ staff that are not aware of this special circumstance, and will advise you to fast your rabbit prior to surgery. This is incorrect advice.

Any honest vet with integrity will not be offended by your questions. A willingness to communicate with you about your pet's needs is a good sign. Your decision should be based on the factual information you gather, as well as your impression of the doctor as a person. Does he or she have a pleasant bedside manner? If possible, make arrangements to visit the clinic in person. Is it clean? Is the staff friendly and organized? Is there a place for rabbits to recover quietly away from dogs and cats?

Don't choose a vet based simply on location. A five-minute trip to the clinic may be ideal when you're faced with a crisis, but will do you no good if the veterinarian cannot correctly diagnose and treat your rabbit.

If you want to dig even deeper, contact the American Veterinary Medicine Association (http://www.avma.org) and find out which vets in your area specialize in rabbits, or if the vets on your prospective list are currently registered and licensed with the Association.

While rabbit medicine is still considered somewhat "exotic", more and more vets are acquiring the knowledge and experience necessary to treat them on a routine basis. As rabbits become increasingly popular as pets, vet schools are gradually incorporating rabbit medicine into their training. Supply your vet with health-related articles from HRS to keep them up-to-date, and encourage them to network with other rabbit vets. You, your vet and your bunny will all benefit in the long run.

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