I know vets can be expensive, especially good ones, but it is important to have a bunny vet. Here is my 2 cents' worth on ways to reduce costs and get bunny-vet-quality care when bunny vets are hard to find.
If your bunny vet is expensive, or your funds are limited, here are some things to try:
Ask your vet about payment plans.
Ask your vet if it is possible to get a discount because you are in hardship (or have several animals that need services: a "volume" discount, so to speak).
Check out vets in nearby areas, outside of your town/city. The drive can be worth it.
United Animal Nations has established two funds to help with emergency
veterinary costs. One fund is for caregivers with low incomes, and the
other fund is for individual rescuers and small rescue groups.
Check out pet insurance. Veterinary insurance for rabbits in the U.S. can be as little as $10 per month.
Some vet schools place vets-in-training to work with doctors, I believe; sometimes, care provided by them can be cheaper. A friend had found a stray cat in bad shape and took it in, and they assigned a student anesthesiologist to the case for free. Unfortunately, the cat died. (I probably wouldn't go with a student anesthesiologist, since bunnies need special care in that area, but in other areas, students may be okay).
If it's a choice between finding a cheaper non-bunny vet or not going to the vet enough, consider these possibilities:
Find a cheap but good vet who is willing to listen, willing to admit he or she doesn't know everything, and willing to work his or her tail off for your bun. There are so many vets around here who seem to work 70+ hours a week and spend time researching problems and calling clients back.... I have been very, very impressed with them, and very thankful. Find a vet like that to alternate with the rabbit vet. This vet can do things like take blood and send it to the same lab the rabbit vet uses, but may charge less to do it. The non-rabbit vet can consult with more experienced bunny vets and/or do research for you, and your rabbit vet may not charge as much to simply interpret test results, as opposed to taking the blood and handling it. (Maybe your vet is a good vet who works hard like this but all vets, no matter how knowledgeable, can still benefit from a consultation with other vets).
The House Rabbit Society has a list of rabbit-experienced vets who are willing to consult with your vet when he or she gets stuck. Some of them charge a fee, but at least two do not. Might I suggest that your vet could consult with these vets?
And some vet schools -- if there are any in your area -- may do free consultations.
At any rate, be honest with your vet, and let him/her know if you will be switching off between a cheaper vet. I imagine you'll have to work hard to ensure continuity of service and record-sharing if you will be switching between them (maybe it's better not to switch off?)
I wish we could pay vets what they are worth, but many of us have multiple animals with multiple problems and we just can't do it. In the meantime, let me say thank you to the rabbit vets who offer consultations inexpensively or at no cost. you help our buns get better care, and you save lives. Also, the same thanks go to the vets who specialize in rabbits and those who take the time to keep up with the latest rabbit information. It's not easy, especially when the pet industry spends most of its research dollars on dogs and cats, so there aren't as many well-researched treatments for bunnies. You guys don't get enough kudos and thanks, but I hope you know in your hearts how much it means to us.
I realize special circumstances do pop up, but if you can't afford proper care for your buns, give them to a rabbit-experienced rescue group (NOT the "Humane" Society). There's no need to kill a bun with a broken leg or an abscess or anything else if the bun hasn't even gone to a vet to find out what's really wrong and whether or not it's terminal.
Thanks!
-- Shaene, Nibbles, and Chewy
