first vet visit checklist for SG rabbit owners
booking a first vet visit feels optional when the rabbit looks healthy. it isn’t. SG exotic vets are scarcer than dog and cat clinics, the rabbits sold at pet shops sometimes carry health issues that aren’t visible to new owners, and you don’t want to be searching for a vet at 9pm on a Sunday when a problem appears.
this guide covers what to do before, during, and after the first appointment.
why the first visit matters
three reasons specific to Singapore.
not every SG vet handles rabbits. rabbits are classified as exotic pets locally, and exotic-pet care is a separate specialty. a clinic that treats only dogs and cats may take an appointment but lack the dental tools, drug knowledge, or surgical experience for rabbit-specific procedures. choosing right matters.
pet-shop rabbits sometimes arrive with conditions. ear mites, mild respiratory infections, dental misalignment, and gut imbalances are common in juveniles from busy pet shops. these are mostly treatable but not visible without an exam.
SG humidity accelerates minor issues. a small ear-canal redness in a temperate climate is a notable issue here. early detection matters.
choose a vet first
before the appointment, identify a SG exotic-experienced vet. we maintain a vet directory of clinics we trust with rabbits, with notes on each.
questions worth asking when you call to book:
- “do you see rabbits regularly, or just occasionally?”
- “do you do rabbit dentals, including molars?”
- “do you stock rabbit-safe medications, or do I need to source them?”
- “is the vet I’d see specifically rabbit-experienced, or whichever vet is on shift?”
a clinic that answers these confidently is a better fit than one that hedges.
book within two weeks
ideal timing for a healthy-looking new rabbit. earlier is fine. waiting longer than a month is risky because juvenile rabbits hide illness well.
if you observed any of these on the first 24 hours at home, book sooner (within 48 hours):
- not eating or drinking
- abnormal droppings (very small, very large, sticky, watery)
- runny nose, sneezing, or visible eye discharge
- head tilt or balance issues
- visible parasites (fleas, lice, mites)
- limping or favouring one limb
what to bring
the rabbit, in a secure carrier. small-pet carriers from pet shops work; cat carriers also work. line the carrier with a hay-stuffed towel for grip and comfort. the carrier protects the rabbit from heat (cover with a light cloth in transit, avoid direct AC blast), from other animals in the waiting room, and from escape attempts.
a stool sample, if possible. a small fresh sample in a clean container helps the vet check for parasites without a separate test.
purchase or adoption paperwork. age, breed, vaccinations (if any), and previous owner notes give the vet useful baseline.
pellet brand and a sample of the hay you’re using. the vet can advise on suitability and spot quality issues.
a list of questions (next section).
what to ask
a focused first appointment covers six topics. write them down so you don’t forget when you’re in the room.
1. general health
- is the rabbit’s body condition appropriate for breed and age?
- any signs of dental misalignment, ear mites, eye issues, or skin problems?
- weight today, baseline for future comparisons
2. diet
- review what you’re feeding (hay brand, pellets, greens, treats)
- any adjustments specific to this rabbit’s age, weight, or health
3. spay or neuter
- ideal age for this rabbit (typically 4 to 6 months for males, 5 to 6 for females)
- vet’s surgical experience with rabbits specifically
- expected cost, recovery time, and pre-op fasting (NOTE: rabbits do not fast before surgery; if a vet asks you to fast a rabbit, that vet may not be rabbit-experienced)
4. vaccinations
- in Singapore, rabbits are not routinely vaccinated for myxomatosis or RHD because we do not have these diseases locally. some imported rabbits arrive vaccinated; ask if boosters are appropriate
- dental and parasite prevention discussion
5. emergency planning
- “what’s your after-hours protocol?”
- “if my rabbit needs urgent care at 11pm, where do I go?”
- worth knowing before you need it
6. recheck schedule
- standard healthy adult rabbits: annual check-up minimum
- juveniles or seniors: every 6 months
- breeds with higher dental risk (Netherland Dwarf, Lionhead): biannual dental checks regardless of age
what to expect during the exam
a competent SG exotic vet will:
- weigh the rabbit and record body condition score (BCS)
- examine eyes, ears, nose, mouth (incisors and molars), and abdomen
- listen to heart and lungs
- check coat and skin
- ask about urination and droppings patterns
- ask about behaviour and appetite
they may NOT need to do bloodwork on a healthy rabbit at the first visit. routine bloodwork is uncommon in rabbit medicine unless there’s a clinical reason.
costs to expect
SG exotic vet fees run higher than dog and cat fees. at the time of writing, owner-reported figures suggest:
- routine consult: SGD 80 to 150
- spay or neuter: SGD 300 to 700 depending on clinic and rabbit size
- dental procedure: SGD 400 to 1500 depending on complexity
- emergency consult: typically 1.5 to 2x routine consult fee, plus diagnostics
these are rough ranges from owner forums; exact pricing varies. confirm with your chosen clinic. for clinics with published pricing, see our vet directory.
red flags during the visit
if you notice any of these, consider a second opinion:
- the vet doesn’t examine the molars (back teeth); only the incisors
- the vet recommends fasting a rabbit before surgery
- the vet recommends a “rabbit vaccination” without explaining what it’s for in the SG context
- the vet seems uncertain about rabbit-safe drug doses
- the vet recommends “exercise wheels” or other rodent-style enrichment (rabbits aren’t rodents; their needs differ)
an exotic-experienced vet will be confident about all of these.
after the visit
within the first week:
- review any medications or supplements the vet prescribed; set reminders
- if the vet recommended diet changes, transition over 7 to 10 days, not overnight
- weigh the rabbit weekly for the first month to monitor for any issues
- save the vet clinic’s number in your phone, plus the after-hours number
what owners often get wrong
three patterns from SG owner forums:
- delaying the first visit until something is wrong: too late
- going to a non-exotic vet for convenience: ends up costing more in misdiagnosis
- not asking about emergency protocols: fine when nothing happens, expensive when something does
next steps
if you haven’t booked yet:
- browse our vet directory for SG clinics with confirmed rabbit experience
- read feeding rabbits in Singapore’s climate so you can answer diet questions confidently
- consider adopt vs buy if your rabbit came from a pet shop and you’re uncertain about provenance
- if you’re travelling soon, also read rabbit boarding in Singapore so you have an emergency plan before you need one
community-sourced information here is not veterinary advice. for any health concern see a licensed SG exotic vet.