Even more bunny vets

Please include the following:
USA, Minnesota,Duluth, Dougherty Vet Clinic
http://doughertyveterinary.co
I found Dr. Jeanetta on Rabbit.org as she is the only vet in my area that is recommended by Minnesota House Rabbit Society. She is very good with both of my rabbits and did a beautiful job on my little Hershey’s neuter. She went out of her way to take the time to return my call and talk to me for 10-15 minutes to patiently answer my worried questions pre-surgery. I have coworkers who go to her with their rabbits too and other pets and they absolutely love her. :) and

PA
Philadelphia Suburbs: King of Prussia / Devon / Wayne
Radnor Veterinary Hospital, http://www.radnorvet.com
Dr. Leonard Donato, who specializes in exotics is one of two bunny vets at the practice and has his own bun at home; Dr. Meghan McGrath handles the de-sexing on rabbits. The receptionist, Rachael is a volunteer at the Se PA/DE HRS and has 7 buns at home.

MD
Laurel
Lakeside Veterinary Clinic, http://www.lakesidevc.com/ Dr. Jeffrey L. Rhody

I have 2 dwarf bunnies and we found the greatest Vet in Laurel, MD. It’s a 45 min drive, but well worth it. Dr. Rhody treats my babies like the adored companions they are. I’ve had some not-so-nice encounters with other vets that treat bunnies like second -class citizens so I’m very greatful to have found such a well-informed and loving Doctor for the children.

NY, Huntington, Island Exotic Veterinary Care , Dr. Heidi Hoefer Dr. Cheryl Pfeffer, Owasso, OK 918-274-8387 -

Small Animal Hospital of Owasso on 86th
She specializes in exotics…..birds, reptiles, rats, etc., and of course, bunnies. She’s very good - takes care of all my bunnies. I confess - she’s also my daughter-in-law, but I still would take my bunnies to her, even if we weren’t related!

And our ravelry.com bunny folk have added even more vets!

Ohio
Bigger Road Animal Clinic in Dayton, Ohio
Far Hills Animal Clinic in Centerville, Ohio Dr. Emily Coatney-Smith. Both hospitals are great. I worked for Dr. Emily for several years and she is wonderful. She specializes in small animals, including rabbits. I forget the Dr’s name at the Bigger Road Animal Clinc, but he got me and my Spice thru a serious fly-strike and the following stasis.

IL
Westchester, 60154
Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital
1923 S. Manheim Road
Dr. Susan Brown

Arizona
Tempe, AZ 85284
655 West Warner Road
(480) 598-3669
Dr. Donald Holmes
Pecan Grove Veterinary Hospital


Virginia
Eastern Exotic Veterinary Center
4001 Legato Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22033 USA
Tel: 703.654.3100 | Fax: 703.654.3109
http://www.easternexoticvet.com/
Dr. Carole Richards, ** 24 hour emergency staff are available at this clinic **

Texas
Dr. Natalie Antinoff
Dr. Sue Chen
Gulf Coast Avian and Exotics
1111 West Loop S # 110
Houston, TX 77027 -9055
(713) 693-1133

Bunny Adoption

Okay so if you've been following the blog and reading other bunny sites you know the only way to go is bunny adoption. Some pointers with bunny adoption include, especially for first time bunny folk:

• adopt a bunny who is spayed/neutered
• adopt a bunny who is litterbox trained
• don't worry if bunny is shy when you reach into cage; some shelter buns live in small cages and become territorial as that's their security setting, once you get your bunny home and provide ample out of cage time it's been my experience that soon even the most cage protective rabbit soon adapts.
• ask shelter/rescue to provide you with a list of bun's usual diet (so you can introduce any new foods gradually) and if possible a medical history.
• before you pick your bun see if you need to bring a carrier-- some shelters have carriers for transports, others do not.
• try 'really hard' not to look at the other buns and over-extend yourself. Only adopt the bun(s) you can adequately care for.
• be sure you have identified a rabbit savvy vet, don't rely on the shelter referral, especially if not a bun rescue group. there are lists of these vets on the internet and there are bunny groups from yahoo to ravelry where bun lovers will help you find the best vet.

Stay tuned while we put together some links to shelters/rescue groups who would welcome your interest in adopting a bunny.

Bunny Health & Wellness 2

Rabbit health and wellness also requires exercise and socialization. A house rabbit needs at least 4 preferably 6 hours of out of cage time. Once out in the world it is important to be sure the extended area is rabbit-proof-- no wires or other dangerous items for you bun to get into or treasured items for him/her to destroy.

House rabbits also need social time and for the one-rabbit family that is with humans. Petting, fussing, playing games is very important for rabbit health and wellness. In our other post when our bun had a bout of ileus, one of the remedies Dr. Hess recommended was exercise.

When your rabbit is ill, one of the most important treatments is to keep your rabbit company (even if it means sleeping on the kitchen floor) and fussing! Fussing includes telling your bun how important he/she is to you, and a crooned lullaby doesn't hurt either.

For our buns part of the health and wellness routine has included 24X7 NPR (National Public Radio) adio on the background.

Bunny Health & Wellness

Rabbit health and wellness is important. You must know when your bunny is sick. Because they are prey animals, house rabbits often do not show outward signs of distress, a sensitive human will notice symptoms like hiding in an unusual place, sitting in a hunched position or refusing food or favorite treat. These changes in rabbit behavior can signal that something is or will soon be seriously wrong. A list of rabbit savvy vets can be found at the House Rabbit Society and other rabbit rescue groups. There is also a list or rabbit veterinarians at the vet page of Bun Space

Although it can be difficult to determine when your rabbit needs an emergency visit to the bunny vet, some important steps include: offering your bun a favorite treat, at least twice- if he/she refuses then it is time to check temperature. Ask your rabbit veterinarian to teach you.

Next is to listen to your bunny’s intestinal sounds. Total silence could mean gastrointestinal stasis Ileus), a potentially life threatening emergency while loud gurgling could mean gas. The gas pains could push the bunny into ileus, so gas should not be taken lightly.

This past week we’ve gotten through both kinds of rabbit health and wellnessexperiences. The first was clearly the bunny emergency and in addition to the subtle behavioral signs we found a small trail of tiny, hard cecals that she’d passed during the night. The cecals for us meant don’t walk, run to the bunny vet. Last night HRH was suffering from gas, and the recommended bunny massage along with sympathetic attention and lots of fussing got us through the night. By about 2 a.m. she nibbled some timothy hay- of course holding out for the long green stalks, and by noon today she was eating again and passing cecals.

Bunnny Vets

So for me and many other bunny folk finding a good bunny vet is certainly on the joy list.

This week we had our first vet emergency with HRHEP. I do believe things happen because they are supposed to (notice not necessary for 'a reason'). So the supposed to on Thursday morning was I overslept. Resigned I'd be late for work I did not overly rush the morning and engaged the usual routine. Feed the hound, feed the bun, brush the hound and do daily hygeine, spend time with the bun.

Like most other human companions to buns, I'm sensitive to anything just not right and both bun and hound are creatures of habit and routine. So there was an intuitive sense something was amiss but then there was telltale sign! itty bitty small hard cecals in the corner.

Of course panic set in- after all this was the first anniversary of the passing of beloved Clover. But Dr. Laurie Hess and the team at Bond Animal Hospital saved the day and the bun!

For me the elements of a good bunny vet--
- the practice answers the telephone in a competent and kind manner (kudos Bond)
- the vet is in or if not the practice knows where he/she is available to see your bun-- and the alternate site is close by
- the practice understands potential bun crisis and is willing to fit in new clients
-the vet is a bunny specialist ( as well as other small animal and exotic but grounded in bun care)
- the vet and/or the techs educate you and help you with bun aftercare
-the bun vet has a back up plan for emergencies, letting you know the best place to take your bun when he/she cannot be reached; and has an established professional relationship so the emergency group will contact the bunny vet.
-the vet and/or tech is available for follow up guidance telephone calls.