#you forgot to anonymise the second half but I assume you wanted to stay that way

[drferox]

🐇🐾Meat rabbit vet care

Anonymous said: Hello! You probably have experience with more vets than me so I had a question. How do most vets react to backyard farming type animals? Im looking into getting rabbits for some backyard meat production and of course all the slaughtering would be done stress free and humanely. But I was hoping to take my breeding stock rabbits to the vet for at least preliminary exams and other care they might need. Should I be clear about their purpose or would raising meat rabbits offend a lot of vets? 🐇🐾 I know it’s just down to the individual but I was more curious how common opinions like that are among the vets you’ve interacted with. How common is it for vets to be unhappy with the idea of backyard meat production even when the animals are well-kept and seen by a vet? Is it necessary to mention this purpose to the vet if I’m worried they might not approve or should I just keep it to myself? Thank you for any insight you might have on this if you get around to answering!

You really should tell us if the rabbits we’re seeing are intended for meat production, simply because we are obliged to check and advise you as to whether any of the medications we use for them have meat withholding periods. And for rabbits that information can be difficult to find. It’s technically less critical for the breeding stock, which you’re not eating imminently, but if you ever might eat those individuals we should know so we can cover that legal obligation.

The personal opinions of veterinarians in regard to backyard meat production, including rabbits, is as varied as the rest of the wider population. If you’re seeing mixed animal vets who also see cattle, they will probably be cool with it. If you go to a rabbit-only clinic and see somebody who personally owns three rabbits, volunteers for rabbit rescue and is a proud vegan, they will probably be personally offended.

Most vets belong to the ‘animal welfare’ camp rather than the ‘animal rights’ camp, though I’d expect some awkwardness as meat rabbit production is a fairly small part of our curriculum.

I’d probably check the profile on the clinic website of any vet you’re going to see, as a real pet bunny enthusiast may not be thrilled treating meat rabbits, but otherwise I wouldn’t expect any particularly harsh personal judgements,  no more likely than any other member of the general public.