Vetting a Vet For Your Small Pet

Adopting a Rescued Small Animal, Reptile, or Bird?

How to Find the Right Veterinary Care

Adopting a rescued pet can be an incredibly rewarding experience: Helping a formerly abused or neglected pet to learn how to trust again and to give her a second chance at a happy life filled with love and attention. In the right homes, most rescued pets can blossom into happy, wonderful companions, but some will never get over their abuse or neglect.

The reality is there will be challenges you will face with rescued pets that you won’t have with other pets. You will need to have plenty of time and plenty of patience because it takes time for a rescued pet to trust you and to bond with you. You will also need to make sure that your rescued pet – whether you adopt a rabbit, a ferret, a bird, a guinea pig, a hamster, or a reptile – gets the veterinary care she needs. Sometimes that care can be ongoing because of the effects of neglect and abuse.

Before bringing a rescue pet home, you should first find a veterinarian who specializes in the type of pet you are adopting. A traditional vet who takes care of dogs and cats rarely has the specialized knowledge that is needed to properly care for a small animal, a reptile, or a bird.

There are several questions you should ask when searching for a vet for your rescued pet:

•    What type of pet is seen at your practice? It’s always better to word the question this way instead of asking “do you see rabbits?” If the vet doesn’t care for rabbits, the receptionist won’t mention rabbits. If you ask if the vet sees rabbits, you’ll probably hear something like, “Well, we can see rabbits but they’re not really something we specialize in.”

•    Have you had any specialized training or education to care for this type of pet?

•    Do you undertake continuing education? If so, what kind?

•    How often does the veterinarian see the type of pet (rabbit, ferret, reptile, etc.)?

•    Does the veterinary practice have the equipment that is needed to properly care for your pet?

•    Can the vet be reached during non-business hours if there is an emergency? If not, who are clients referred to in emergency situations?

•    Find out how much a regular office visit costs. Is it higher than other veterinary practices with which you’ve talked or are the prices competitive?

•    Are there emergency veterinarians in your area that care for your pet? If not, where is the closest emergency vet who specializes in caring for your type of pet?

Make sure you ask each of the preceding questions when you contact a veterinarian in your area. If you find a veterinarian that cares for your particular rescued pet and you want to learn more, schedule an initial consultation. It’s important that you meet with the vet to ensure that you and your pet feel comfortable with him.

Finding a veterinarian before you bring your pet home or before she becomes ill is essential, especially with an exotic pet where care is not as widely available.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi