I’m considering adopting a rabbit, and I was just wondering about how much it costs to take a rabbit to the vet for a checkup? How often do you need to take a rabbit for a checkup? Is there health insurance for pets?
Check up prices completely depend on the vet because there is no regulation on what they can charge. You need to call around and ask for prices from a LOT of rabbit vets. Rabbits are very healthy if you take good care of them. They may never need to see a vet.
Most all ailments can be prevented (it IS the best medicine) or can be easily taken care of by the owner. It is always good to have a rabbit vet on hand for emergencies, though.
I have met a lot of "good" rabbit vets as I have volunteered at our very busy animal shelter and taken rabbits to appointments. I have not cared for most. I have done a lot of shopping around. It has been hard for me to find one that I think knows anything but I finally did. He listens to me and has prescribed meds for my herd if I can’t get them at the feed store. I can get most of the meds for rabbits at the feed store. I give meds myself. It’s easy. There are plenty of rabbit medicine books out there that are nice to have around, too. You can never learn too much about your own pet, IMO.
If you don’t know ANYTHING about rabbits then you could take one in for a first time check up but I think that’s kinda silly since anyone can do a external exam. Read a book, like Storey’s Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett or an online article about what to look for when buying a rabbit. Basically, it is clean environment, clean bum, bright clean eyes, shiny fur (unless molting), clean ears, healthy hocks (no inflamation), attentive/alert, no external parasites, healthy skin (run hands over body to feel for bumps and to look at skin), no malocclussions (teeth meet up correctly), straight legs, no broken toes, easily handled (if you know how to properly handle a rabbit). A 5 year-old 4H kid can learn to do this so anyone can learn how to do it. 
It is the routine for rabbit showmanship (rabbit handling). Google it.
Again, if you know nothing about rabbits, then taking your rabbit in for a yearly exam is typical but again, I think it is not needed unless there is something wrong or you live somewhere other than the U.S. , in which case, your rabbit will need to be vaccinated. Those things are not needed in the U.S.. Rabbits are NOT like cats and dogs in that respect, although I know that some vets are more than happy to take your money.
The only expensive thing about getting a rabbit is neutering it. In my area it costs anywhere from $140 to $230 from a private practice rabbit vet. I always tell people to go to a nearby city to get it done by the animal control there because it is tax subsidized and they only charge $50 even to non-residents. The rabbit rescues use them and their vets are actually very good. So, ask a rabbit rescue in your area who they use to get their rabbits done. Chances are that vet will be the least expensive and be well trusted to do a good job.
There is pet insurance out there. Unless you’re planning on getting a rabbit with health problems, I think it would not be worth it. Just take good care of your rabbit and don’t just stick it in a cage in the corner of your room to be forgotten. If you handle your rabbit daily you will become familiar with it and will spot any health problems right away. Get that book and read up!
Enjoy your rabbit!
#1 by guinea pig lover on April 19, 2010 - 4:26 am
aproxamitley 35 dollars. once a year for check ups. also call the vet to ask for exACT PRICES
oh and im not sure if theres health insurance for pets
References :
#2 by SparklyAbortionPanda on April 19, 2010 - 4:36 am
yes there is health insurance for pets. but good luck b/c i have not yet been able to find any that covers my rabbits.
it depends on the vet. http://www.rabbit.org has a good section on vets for rabbits (rabbits are considered exotic animals so a regular vet typically is not the best place to take your bunnies.. alot of cat/dog vets dont even accept rabbits.)
my vet is 40 dollars for an exam and for the spay it is 170 and 130 for a neuter.
rabbits are the same as cats and dogs in that youre expected to take them every year for a checkup. =)
References :
#3 by Amber on April 19, 2010 - 4:44 am
Check up prices completely depend on the vet because there is no regulation on what they can charge. You need to call around and ask for prices from a LOT of rabbit vets. Rabbits are very healthy if you take good care of them. They may never need to see a vet.
Most all ailments can be prevented (it IS the best medicine) or can be easily taken care of by the owner. It is always good to have a rabbit vet on hand for emergencies, though.
I have met a lot of "good" rabbit vets as I have volunteered at our very busy animal shelter and taken rabbits to appointments. I have not cared for most. I have done a lot of shopping around. It has been hard for me to find one that I think knows anything but I finally did. He listens to me and has prescribed meds for my herd if I can’t get them at the feed store. I can get most of the meds for rabbits at the feed store. I give meds myself. It’s easy. There are plenty of rabbit medicine books out there that are nice to have around, too. You can never learn too much about your own pet, IMO.
If you don’t know ANYTHING about rabbits then you could take one in for a first time check up but I think that’s kinda silly since anyone can do a external exam. Read a book, like Storey’s Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett or an online article about what to look for when buying a rabbit. Basically, it is clean environment, clean bum, bright clean eyes, shiny fur (unless molting), clean ears, healthy hocks (no inflamation), attentive/alert, no external parasites, healthy skin (run hands over body to feel for bumps and to look at skin), no malocclussions (teeth meet up correctly), straight legs, no broken toes, easily handled (if you know how to properly handle a rabbit). A 5 year-old 4H kid can learn to do this so anyone can learn how to do it.
It is the routine for rabbit showmanship (rabbit handling). Google it.
Again, if you know nothing about rabbits, then taking your rabbit in for a yearly exam is typical but again, I think it is not needed unless there is something wrong or you live somewhere other than the U.S. , in which case, your rabbit will need to be vaccinated. Those things are not needed in the U.S.. Rabbits are NOT like cats and dogs in that respect, although I know that some vets are more than happy to take your money.
The only expensive thing about getting a rabbit is neutering it. In my area it costs anywhere from $140 to $230 from a private practice rabbit vet. I always tell people to go to a nearby city to get it done by the animal control there because it is tax subsidized and they only charge $50 even to non-residents. The rabbit rescues use them and their vets are actually very good. So, ask a rabbit rescue in your area who they use to get their rabbits done. Chances are that vet will be the least expensive and be well trusted to do a good job.
There is pet insurance out there. Unless you’re planning on getting a rabbit with health problems, I think it would not be worth it. Just take good care of your rabbit and don’t just stick it in a cage in the corner of your room to be forgotten. If you handle your rabbit daily you will become familiar with it and will spot any health problems right away. Get that book and read up!
Enjoy your rabbit!
References :
ARBA member/exhibitor/breeder, 4H rabbit project leader