Rabbit Insurance or programs?

[erinb_86]

So I looked at the two main pet insurance plansfor Canada and I called them and asked and they don't cover rabbits andI was just wondering if there is any way to kinda save myself fromgetting huge bills with these little cuties. Money is no issue for mebecause i would spend whatever was needed if they were sick but I guessit is just the student inside f me seeing if there is a cheaperalternative to save my wallet a bit when my bunnies are in need. I alsolooked in the phone book (the Edmonton one) and noticed that thereweren't any vet clinics really around me. I was wondering if it wouldbe too traumatic to take my babies in a cab or even on the bus (in acarrier of course)? I want to put as little stress as possible on them.Also too what prices should I be looking at for check ups? Do I have topay a fee to start up with a vet? Our little girls are roughly 3months...I think they were born in the middle of July... and I haveheard a couple of different ages now that they should be spayed at. Isit four to seven months or is it 4- 6? Or is that even right? I want tohopefully get these little guys checked over next week sometime to makesure they are ok and would love to know a few of these things before Igo so I'm not completely clueless or even a bit nieve too! thanks forany help!!P.S.- This is totally unrelated but when the rabbits camethey were outside animals that were occasionally in the house and theywere a bit dirty so I am wondering how you would bathe rabbits...Doesit stress them out alot? And can you do it with regular shampoo orshould it be a special kind like baby or dog shampoo? Thanks again!!!

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

I wouldn't bathe a rabbit unless you ABSOLUTELYhave too. It does stress them out and they can catch aserious cold if not completely dried. The best thing to do isto brush them out. If you absolutely have to bathe it, useCAT shampoo. This is because rabbits will clean themselvesand so do cats. I've never had a problem.

Sharon

 

[pamnock]

Some rabbits do enjoy baths -- we had one boywho loved to be fussed over and given a bath. He sat in thetub like a little king

I know of some people who give their show bucks regular baths because the bucks continually spray all over.

Pam

 

[jordiwes]

Hi Erin,

I'm not sure about pet insurance. you'll have to search on the net forit.As for a vet visit, I pay around 55$. I take them in mycar in a carrier. It's probably less stressful if you take themtogether in a carrier. It's probably better to get a good vetata further distance. My girl was spayed at 5 months. That'swhen the vet recommended. As for their feet, you can spot treat themwith a damp towel and some soapy water. I wouldn't fullysubmerge them. Hope this helps!

 

[Stephanie]

I dunno about insurance, but if any of us up in the Great White North hear about it, let's spread the word!

 

[naturestee]

Baths? I wouldn't have any fingers left!:shock:

Mocha was spayed at 4.5 months, but that's because I thought she was aboy and she would get neutered. Spaying is harder on arabbit, and I would have waited another month or two. The topage range is actually more like 5 years provided they are in goodhealth, but that is more of a concern with rescued rabbits andsuch.

I forget what breed you have, but it's generally best to wait untilthey are more or less done growing. 6 months is usually agood time to spay. Check with your vet though, as I've heardof some that don't like to spay rabbits older than 6 months!:shock:

 

[Kricket]

My vet's clinic offers an insuranceplan. That insurance plan covers ALL animals (except largeanimals such as livestock). Find a vet that cares for rabbitsand then inquire about pet insurance. I will find out whatthe name of the coverage carrier is...but don't think I can have ananswer until Monday.

If you bathe a bunny, you can purchase "Critter Shampoo" it is forrabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, etc. I found mine atPETsMART. If you do bathe your buns, just make sure they havesome sort of surface to hold onto. Perhaps one of thoserubber bathmats with the suction cups on the bottom so as they don'tfeel so vunerable and unstable. Also, a member of this forum,bathed her bun in the kitchen sink, bun tried to make a run for it,fell and broke his leg. Keep that in mind, and try to do itin the bathtub, or a large tub on the ground. You can alsofind "Critter Wipes" as well, that might be easier to rub them down...?

Spaying and neutering ages depends on the breed as well. Minewere spayed and neutered at 18 weeks. Mine areDutches. I hear they mature quickly.

I think you will be fine taking your buns on a bus or a taxi.Find them a comfy carrier and let them get accostomed to it before youhave to take them to the vet. Let them play in it.Leave it open, and rabbits are SO curious, they will wonder intoit. They will proably perfer the carrier over any other spotto hide...silly wabbits

 

[erinb_86]

Thanks for all your guys help. Their first vetvisit is on thursday and the woman was really nice and said that shewuld charge us for a 'rodent' ($32.50) as oppossed to a rabbit ($55).The vet is quite close to us...only one 22 minute bus ride from home. Ialso wanted to call The Spay Clinic here in Edmonton cause they areclose and because they only mentioned cats and dogs in their add in thephone book. Does anyone on here know? Well I want to thank you allagain for helping me with all my questions and I'm sure my babies wouldthank you if they could too!! So here are morepics!!!

 

[ariel]

was wandering through the net tonight and found this and wondered if you had seen it.

http://www.petinsurance.com/affiliates.cfm?ec=CI0033

 

[erinb_86]

I just checked it out now but unfortuantely itis an American company. They do have an affiliated company in Canadabut it was one of the ones who only covers cats and dogs. But thank youso much anyway! ~Erin~

 

[Pet_Bunny]

The Spay Clinic do not do rabbits.

Rainbows!

 

[ariel]

I wonder why it is that they insure only cats and dogs???
I went back and re read the site that I had posted and sure as eggs itsaid at the very very bottom only available to U.S. residents and thenit had a link to Canadian residents, however they only do cats and dogs.

It did say that you can take your pets to any recongised vet in the world.
I guess that'd be for those people who take their babies away with them for work or holidays.

Anyway maybe you could ask your vet Erin and see what they say.

 

[JBC]

According to this website, VPI does insure "rabbits."

Some other pet insurance companies for you UK members:

PHA Pet Insurance

Petplan

Exotic Direct





Now Your Entire Family Can Be Protected
Veterinarymedicine is amazing stuff. The cost of it, however, can sometimes hurt.With an affordable VPI Pet Insurance policy, you can have real peace ofmind. After all, the last thing you want to worry about when your petgets hurt or sick is the cost. You simply want your pet to come homehealthy.
Since your pet is a member of your family, you will want the financialfreedom to do everything medically possible to save your pet's life.The great news is that NCRA Service Corporation members can receive agroup discount that makes a VPI Pet Insurance policy even moreaffordable! And if you enroll more than one pet, you can receive aneven bigger discount!
A VPI policy covers thousands of medical problems and conditionsrelated to accidents or illnesses (even cancer) for dogs, cats, birds,ferrets, rabbits, reptiles and other exotic pets. You canvisit any licensed veterinarian anywhere, even when you're away fromhome. Coverage helps pay for:

• Diagnostic tests
• Office visits
• Prescriptions
• X-rays
• Treatments
• Lab fees
• Hospitalizations
• Surgeries

Optional Vaccination & Routine CareCoverage is also available to help dog and cat owners with the cost ofregular routine care that is necessary to keep your pets healthy.There's no deductible on routine care benefits and coverage helps payfor:

• Annual physical exam
• Vaccinations
• Heartworm protection
• Prescription flea control
• Choice of: spaying/neutering, routine teeth cleaning
  or comprehensive health screen
• And much more!

Veterinary Pet Insurance is the nation'soldest and largest provider of health insurance for pets. Since 1982,we've worked with hundreds of thousands of loving pet owners to helpdeliver the very best care for their pets. To learn more aboutprotecting your pet or to obtain a free quote, call 800-USA-PETS(800-872-7387) or log ontohttp://www.petinsurance.com/affiliates/ncra_npr
VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets formedical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses andinjuries. Optional vaccination and routine care coverage is alsoavailable. Policies are available in all 50 states and the District ofColumbia. All applications are subject to underwriting approval.Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company inCalifornia and in all other states by National Casualty Company, anA+15 rated company, in Madison, WI and a subsidiary of NationwideMutual Insurance Company.

Erin, I hope this helps.

 

[Alice]

Pet insurance really isn't workable for me,personally (I have so many pets of several different species -- mostlyexotic -- that the monthly premiums would be crazy expensive).

What's saved my butt w/ unexpected vet bills is CareCredit(medical/dental/vet expense credit card w/ low or nointerest). I dunno how widespread it is in Canada, but I knowit exists up there... you might want to look into that:http://www.carecredit.ca/

 

[erinb_86]

Thanks for all your help and advice people. Itdoesn't seem like there will be a plan that I can go on but I will talkto the vet tomorrow and see if maybe there is some sort of credit orstudent plan, or something. I will find out and let any of youknow...maybe to help out any people in the Edmonton area.Thanks for thehelp again,~Erin~