[Published in the newsletter of Rabbit Advocates (adoptarabbit.org)]

Dr. Wilson, veterinarian, Beaverton Pet Clinic (Oregon)

I had a chance to chat with Dr. Wilson, of the Beaverton Pet Clinic, one afternoon a few weeks ago. Awaiting him briefly in an examination room, a very comfortable one, I might add, with homey pictures and pleasant custom painting on the walls, I wasn't sure what type of doctor I was about to meet--a speedy one with too much to do, an overly intellectual one who speaks in tongues, a shy one who hardly says a word? I was very pleasantly surprised to be met by a very personable and down-to-earth doctor, who, though I'm sure his schedule was full, made as if I, a mere interviewer, were his only concern in the world. He was more than happy to answer any of various questions, and I learned not only a bit about Dr. Wilson, and his long association with Rabbit Advocates, but also some very important information about rabbit health. A great day for me indeed!

Dr. Wilson hails from Omaha, Nebraska, where he was also schooled, at the University of Nebraska. After school, he and his family (he and his wife celebrated their 22nd anniversary most recently) moved Portland way so Dr. Wilson could work with a vet named Gene Davis, whose business Dr. Wilson eventually inherited, and the very one he runs today. I was told that Dr. Wilson was a very good friend of RA, but didn't know quite the extent. He estimates that, in the four or five years he has been doing pro-bono work for RA, he has performed 150-200 spays and neuters each year. Those are operations typically costing $75-100.

Doing some quick math, I was compelled to ask Dr. Wilson what, in particular, makes him inclined to be so giving of his services to rabbits. After mentioning a little bit about past experiences with rabbits of his own, and the three he keeps now, Dr. Wilson stopped and serenely quoted the Bible, saying, "To whom much is given, much is required." In fact, Dr. Wilson is in the habit of doing service work, having been on Christian missions to India on a number of occasions, aiming to go every other year. On his most recent trip, his two oldest children (two of six), the two girls, joined him. However, we are lucky to be the one main animal-welfare organization to which he donates his professional services.

Dr. Wilson estimates that half the bunnies he sees are house rabbits and half hutch rabbits. The number-one problem he sees is gastrointestinal stasis. This common problem occurs for a variety of reasons, including teeth problems, high-sugar/low-fiber diets, emotional stress, and others. Further, he explains that when a rabbit's gastrointestinal system slows or stops, beneficial bacteria are overcome by the deleterious bacteria "clostridium, which leads to such hazards as a build up of gas. Unlike humans, rabbits are ruminants and need to digest fiber (we cannot digest fiber). High-fiber/low-protein grasses such as Timothy hay are critical sources of this fiber, and, again, an insufficient amount will allow harmful bacteria to proliferate.

Clearly, Dr. Wilson stays well informed, and described several networks of veterinarians of which he is a part. Importantly, the advice he stressed most of all for rabbit parents is that they feed nothing but hay and greens, if at all possible. He says, the latest findings and the latest word in rabbit-friendly vet circles hold that, in an ideal world, the amount of pellets fed to our companions should drop to none. Of course, many, if not most, of us are simply too busy to feed the amount necessary, without pellets, on a regular basis; Dr. Wilson admits he himself feeds pellets--with a family of six children and a veterinary practice, just for starters, it's no surprise! Thus, pellets should be seen as a convenience, at best, for the care giver. In truth, such pellets were originally developed simply for the fattening of bunnies meant for meat. Happily, we have great friends like Dr. Wilson to help us keep the bunnies we take into our homes and hearts healthy and happy. Many thanks, Dr. Wilson.