Rabbit forum annoyance

[Akane]

I can see where you are coming from and have experienced the same frustration but diagnosing and treating an animal is not an oil change. It's something that takes experience, common sense, intuition, and either schooling or knowledge passed down. Yes it can be done by an individual and sometimes better than a vet since you have the opportunity to know your animals better than they do but many pet owners these days were not raised with that knowledge or the experience. Heck a lot of vets suck at it and there are a few I wouldn't take an animal to if it was dying. It would be better off being put out of it's misery than suffer through their lack of common sense and intuition. For most people hanging out on animal forums taking the animal to a vet is the best advice and all you'll get on a pet forum since the alternative most of those people experience is ignoring the animal while it suffers. Most don't know how or couldn't imagine putting down much less butchering an animal so it's treat it or let it suffer and they don't have the experience to treat it or they don't know if the other person has the experience to treat it. Lameness without being caused by obvious external injury takes hands on examination and then what steps you take next are a judgement call. You won't find much help with that online.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Actually, an oil change costs at least $10 for oil and filter or you can have it done at a lube place for $20. I don't understand the comparison.


No, I wouldn't take one of my rabbits (if I had them anymore) to the vet either and spend $150 on it. The people saying you shouldn't have an animal that you're not willing to pay a vet to care for are a bit extreme. Should I get rid of my chickens tomorrow because I wouldn't dump hundreds of bucks on them? I think not. Cmon people.

I'd go with Cassie's suggestion or make rabbit stew.

 

[Strange_Screams]

ok, so what would the vet do......feel the leg....does anything bend where it shouldnt bend?(reset it if it does, and yes splint it and for gods sakes give it some treats for a distraction) no,ok, does the rabbit fight when you massage its joints...no....ok, do nothing, does it fight? sounds like a sprain, you should keep it in a small cage and give it a high protien diet to help heal.
But seriously, if you don't like the animal, give it to someone who does.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Quote:

I agree with ya.

If it was me I would just keep an eye on him. It sounds like a sprain at most and he should heal up fine. If you start noticing it getting worse, then try to splint it. After that measure if it still is worse, then I would cull. Good luck to ya!

Note: I can't wait to get some meat rabbits! Rabbit stew...

 

[Brindlebtch]

Quote:
Ditto.

 

[LyonFuzz]

This thread is a clear example of why some people should not have pets. We live in a disgustingly disposable world that sadly includes pets....living mammals that feel pain just as you do. If you can't afford the vet, don't get the pet. Do that broken rabbit a favor and put it out of it's misery and don't get any more.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I agree with Cassie's suggestion.


And I don't really blame people on the rabbit forum suggesting a vet. I know there are plenty of beginner owners of various animals who get on forums (like this one, or BYH) and ask for advice for injured animals. Sometimes it's just not possibly to diagnose an animal with no pictures, no good explanation, etc. over the internet! Instead of trying to give advice for something that may or may not be the issue, it's easier to recommend they take an animal to the vet to get actual medical help.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Unfortunately rabbits have hit that uncomfortable spot in public perception where folks have forgotten that they started out as livestock and for many people still are livestock. With livestock if the vet cost is more than the animal is worth, you cull/slaughter it and stick it in the freezer until it stops being "Mimi" or "Daisy" and starts looking like supper. The problems start when you ask about livestock on a pet forum.


JMO

Rusty

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
If one poses a dilemna, one must take all suggestions into consideration and not be personally offended by those one feels unreasonable for one's wallet situation.

 

[bockbock2008]

Quote:
Ditto.

X3