Too expensive!

[Heather Wallace]

I wanted to take all 3 rabbits to a local vet for a basic check up to look for ear mites etc. I called a few vets for an approx price on thier consultation fee for all 3 and I found them far to expensive.

One vets wanted £41 just to look at the rabbits, that was before and treatment. In dollars that would about $60 for so.

As i am not rich I have had to cancel the appointment and wait untill someone can drive me over to the other side of the city where I live as there is a vets there who is a bit less expensive.
I think it is sad the prices some vets charge.

What do you think? I think in the US things are a bit cheaper.

[Aspen and Misty]

Our rat Vet charges us 24 dollars just for them to look at one. I don't know what our other vet charges but I'm sure its about the same. If not cheaper.

Ash

[Daisylover]

Hey Heather!
Yeah, it's a bummer......I think the vets charge more for buns because they are considered "exotics", requiring extra schooling and coursework and staying updated in bun medicine since it changes so quickly...at least here in the US... I'm charged $29 per bun BUT if I want a Sunday or emergency appt it goes up to $54....
So needless to say I ration our appointments and have gotten pretty good at diagnosing health issues. Still I am sure I spend between $1,000-1,600/year for vet care but I feel my kids are worth it.... And let's face it, having 8 bunnies is a little over the top! So I spend the money gladly....:D

There are vets who do not have the advanced education in rabbit care who will try to care for rabbits and seem to think rabbits can be treated like a dog or a cat. We get horror stories all the time at the sanctuary about vets who tried to treat a much loved bunny and ended up seriously injuring the animal or even killing them, or at least giving incredibly stupid and harmful advice. What a waste and what arrogance on the part of the vet. Certainly it is the responsibility of the bunny owner to find a bunny specialist vet well ahead of time when his or her services will be needed.....www.rabbit.org has a great link on this topic.

Well, let me get off my soapbox.... I guess I care about all rabbits just a little too much and can get carried away when asked an opinion!!!! .:p

By the way, why don't you make 1 appointment for which ever bunny you think may have the ear mite problem. The vet can tell you if you have a problem or not. If you do, the vet will give you ear medicine...which you should then give ALL your guys since ear mites are catchy.... If you can establish a good relationship with the vet and indicate a strong knowledge of bunny health issues, chances are he will work with you and give you a small supply of medications. Good Luck! Letter on it's way to you. My best to you, Bunny, Cadbury and Twinks...

By the way, did you have a birthday party for them???? ;) LOL!!!!

OMG , what high prices ....
My vet is so much cheaper ; and she is GOOD !!
She asks 20 € , even with more than one pet !!

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by Daisylover
I'm charged $29 per bun BUT if I want a Sunday or emergency appt it goes up to $54....

When I had my Sophie:

RE: her Las Cruces Vet
regular visits (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-noon) were $32.
After hour-emergencies were $84.
Sunday visits were $124.00!! :eek:

RE: her Lubbock Vet
"regular" visit was $24
Not sure about after hours or wkend visits

[Daisylover]

Wow Zippy!!!!! And then there's the cost of medications on top of that!!! We need bunny health insurance ;) !

[TheAntiPam]

Hmmm, I wonder if J-Lo will be the spokesperson for "bun insurance" ???? :p :p :p

[CathyBogart]

Pfft! That's nothing! ^_^

I haven't had a rabbit to take to the vet in quite awhile, but it is $42 for my mice or my reptiles to see the vet because they are considered exotics. Fortuantely, my vet is both very good at his job and very nice. If I bring in both my snakes he only charges me for one visit. Same with my mice. ^_^ I'm so paranoid about their health that even this can get expensive! (I see respiratory infections every time a mouse sneezes, etc...)