Yes, bunnies can go to the veterinarian.
This past week, I took the bun to the Ryan Veterinary Hospital here in Philadelphia. It’s the only small animal hospital in the area, and let me tell you, there are some really wonderful people there. While sitting in the waiting room, a lot of curious pet owners asked me what kind of cat I had inside my animal bag. They commented on how large and fluffy it looked through the screen mesh window. When I laughed and revealed the bunny, about half a dozen elderly people came over to pet her and take photos. It was a nice moment.
The patient rooms really weren’t what I expected. I felt like I was in a patient room for a person, and not a small animal. The doctors there also treated the bunny like she was a person, keeping her in a blanket so she wouldn’t get cold, holding her after checking her ears, teeth, etc (buns don’t like that), etc.
She goes back tomorrow for an overnight stay. She’s getting spayed (ouch!) and having some blood work done, since she has some swollen glands on the side of her neck. The vets were impressed with how well behaved she was though, and they all can’t wait til I bring the chinchilla in for his first check up.
Vet visits are fun. It’s like, a trial run for when you have children. Except vet visits probably cost a little less, and old people won’t come over to pet your children. If they do, you need to find a new doctor. Seriously.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
poor leetle bun
Okay, I can *almost* accept bringing a bun to the vet, ‘specially a bun that’s almost cat-sized (and I can picture all these mostly-blind old people cradling your bunny in their arms, murmuring about how there’s somethin’ wrong with that cat right thar, but ain’t no one gonna say nuthin’). But check out that Ryan vet hospital website: Fish? People bring *fish* to the vet? How… how would you even know if a fish is ill? Because at my house the first clue was always, uh, upside-down at the top of the bowl.
You’re just jealous no one wrote an EP about you.
I just took Maggie to the vet, she had to get shots and was not a happy camper.
i still think you should have named your chinchilla Mittens McGyver
Babies are -mad- expensive, but they also have insurance. I think declawing and neutering Mike’s cat cost more than my hospital visit for Madison.
I worked at Ryan Vet Hospital, aka VHUP for 6 years during college. Penn’s benefits paid for my school and the 24-hr ER gave me a very flexible schedule to fit my classes in. I otherwise have no interest in pursuing Veterinary Medicine.
It’s good to hear that you had a great experience. There are a lot of good people there, but it can also be a little crazy. Like this: http://www.dovate.com/blog/2007/03/26/work-2/
As far as fish, we once had a koi in for an ultrasound and possible surgery. Why? The fish cost $50,000 and had a breeding potential of up to $500,000 worth of baby goldfish… I mean koi.
The ultrasound turned out well and surgery wasn’t needed.