Sorry to ask but can anyone explain why it costs so much to have veterinary treatment?

[DeirdreDoo]

I hope this doesn't offend - I am aware there may be vets who post on here and am hoping they won't mind putting it into context for me, as I am a bit perplexed, and don't want to jump to conclusions.

We have two rabbits and have had them for several years. Nothing's really gone wrong until yesterday when I had to take in my boy rabbit for a few stitches to a wound. It was fairly straightforward and he needed sedation, and we picked him up after about 6 hours though he hadn't eaten (they kept him there an extra 3 hours so that they could make sure he did - but told me to pick him up anyway in the end - he has now started eating so that's not a concern)

We have some precautionary antibiotics (£12) and the rest cost £83.

When they were neutered several years ago it was £35 per male rabbit.

I can't understand why a few stitches with sedation is now the best part of a hundred pounds?

Is this to do with inflation?


The vets are lovely and faultless in their care and I would never raise this issue in person. I don't see them as charging so much because they are out to make a profit - I'm sure it is minimal - so why is it that they have to charge so much compared to a few years ago?

Thanks of anyone got this far.

[SunshineAndShadows]

Dogs trust and many breed specific charities offer old age fostering

By responsible pet ownership I mean that people should research the needs of their pet and ensure that they can provide for those needs. For example the vast majority of 'medical' problems in non-dog or cat pets are due to husbandry/nutitional issues caused or significantly contributed to by inappropriate care. The biggest reason for relinquishing dogs to shelters (and a significant cause of euthanasia) is behavioural issues. Many health conditions could be avoided by buying a functional breed from parents that have been health screened.

These are all avoidable 'medical' problems that people could mitigate but don't and then complain when they require expensive veterinary input.

Different insurance companies will have different policy clauses and limits. It's responsible to research these. Or if you choose not to take insuresnce, have a pet 'bank account' or credit card that you can use.

There are many ways of being responsible but ultimately uts a choice that pet owned make - vets can't be held accountable for it any more than doctors are in countries with private healthcare systems.

[DeirdreDoo]

I am worrying now (sorry, thread drift) about how I could have avoided our rabbit becoming ill...basically (self diagnosis using the web) I think he may have dental problems, because he hasn't been very active the last few weeks, I found he had stopped being able to clean himself, thus a build up of dirt around his bottom which I had to try and remove and wasn't quite gentle enough - so he tore slightly, thus the stitches. Now his eye is watering, which it wasn't before, and I'm connecting the lack of grooming (which he's never had problems with until now - he's about 4yo) and that and coming up with teeth.

They are in a large walk in covered run, with a 6ft x 2ft hutch, with access to the garden nearly every day, fresh greens, loads of hay, farming grade pellets, the odd carrot or apple, water every day. Wood to gnaw and trees to ring

I can't think how I might have caused him to have dental problems. It's just his age perhaps? If that's what it is. It's going to be a right nuisance to sort out though - and I don't even know if they checked his teeth yesterday when intubating him. So here we go again...

[SunshineAndShadows]

Deirdre you sound like a great rabbit owner!Basically rabbits should be fed pretty much 100% hay or grass with occasional pellets and veg.

They need to chew extensively to wear their teeth and daily pellets can fill up without offering extensive chewing opportunities.

However many pet breeds of rabbits are genetically pre disposed to dental issues especially dwarf or other smaller breeds as their teeth are often crowded within their jaws. For these rabbits it doesn't matter how great you are, they'll often need dental management.

From what you describe a dental check is in order but I'd also be questioning why they weren't checked during the stitch up. Dental issues often predispose to a dirty bum.

[DeirdreDoo]

Thank you very very much for offering your advice. I hope you didn't mind me asking.

I did wonder why they didn't check the teeth, if they didn't - it would sensible to check the most common causes of the grooming issue, I suppose, but perhaps they just treated the immediate problem and didn't have time to do the investigative thing.

Anyway I will get him seen again if his eye continues to water. It could just be the hay I suppose but he hasn't had issues with hay previously.

Thank you again

[DeirdreDoo]

Oh and it could be too many pellets then. She suggested he was a bit overweight, (he's not fat, honest!) which could prevent him from grooming properly but again it's only a very recent problem. I'll be cutting out the pellets from now on, anyway