Rabbit Health Care

Keeping me fit and healthy

Good nutrition and housing are the key to a healthy rabbit. Avoid sudden changes in diet and temperature and keep bedding clean and dry. The hutch should be scrubbed out once a week with warm water and a mild disinfectant. The feeding bowl and water bottle should be cleaned daily.

Rabbits' front teeth continue to grow throughout their lives and if they become too long feeding can become difficult. Mineral stones, rabbit pellets and chew toys all help to keep the teeth worn down. If the bottom teeth grow over the top teeth, take your rabbit to the vet to have them trimmed

Vaccinations:

Make sure you have your rabbit vaccinated, especially against Myxomatosis and VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease) which if not prevented can be fatal. Vaccinations must always be administered by a vet, so contact your vet to book your rabbit in. Rabbits can be vaccinated after the age of 8 weeks and will require booster injections annually to maintain immunity.

Fleas:

Rabbits can get fleas so should be treated with an appropriate flea treatment such as flea drops or an insecticidal shampoo. However this treatment should only be given if there is known to be a flea problem.

Fly strike:

Fly strike is a condition resulting from flies laying eggs on a rabbit's fur; the eggs develop into maggots which then eat into the rabbit's skin causing nasty wounds which if left untreated can become serious.

Ways to prevent fly strike are:

• Make sure your rabbit is always clean - flies do not like clean dry fur, preferring to lay eggs in moist and dirty fur. Check your rabbit for fly eggs at least twice a day during the summer, if you find any remove them immediately and check the area for maggots. The time taken between laying eggs and hatching into maggots can be a little as a few hours, so regular checks are vital.
• Recognize if your rabbit is a high risk case and take extra precautions. Rabbits are very clean animals but an overweight or very old or ill rabbit may find keeping clean more difficult and become an easy target for fly strike.
• Loose droppings provide the best conditions for fly strike so if your rabbit is suffering from loose droppings keep a close eye on them and keep their fur clean. Loose droppings can occur after a sudden change of food, which shocks the digestive system so make sure any change of food is introduced gradually.

What if my rabbit…?

We have listed some more common ailments below, including how you can recognize and treat them:

Has a hard stomach and is having difficulty breathing

If your rabbit has a swollen, hard stomach and is having difficulty breathing, it may have bloat. Bloat is a very serious condition and can be fatal, so it is vital you take him to your vet as soon as possible. Meanwhile, take away all bedding and food, but make sure your rabbit has plenty of hay and fresh drinking water. Bloat is usually the result of stress or too many greens, such as cabbage and lettuce, but can also be caused by spoiled or mouldy food.

Has overgrown teeth

Rabbits teeth continually grow therefore it is important to give your rabbit something to nibble on to keep them trim. A branch of willow or apple tree, with bark left on it is ideal. Occasionally rabbits' teeth will overgrow for other reasons such as the teeth aren't at the right angle, or because of missing teeth. Overgrown teeth should be trimmed by a vet or nurse every four to six weeks.

Is breathing rapidly

If a rabbit is breathing rapidly with its nostrils wide open, and has been exposed to too much sun, it is likely that your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion. In extreme cases, high temperatures can be fatal to your rabbit. It is essential that your rabbit has a shady corner in its hutch, or enclosure to prevent this from happening.

Has overgrown claws

Wild rabbits naturally keep their claws worn down by burrowing. However, pet rabbits may need to have their nails clipped from time to time, particularly if they live indoors and do not get an opportunity to dig or hop around outside.

To trim your rabbit's claws, use a pair of special clippers which are available from Pets at Home. Hold the rabbit still, ask someone to help you if necessary. In light-coloured rabbits it is easy to see the 'quick', or central part of the nail where the nerves and blood vessels are, but in dark-coloured animals this is virtually impossible. Hold your bunny's foot against the light to help to see the live part of the nail. The best method is to clip off only a little cutting straight across the nail to avoid splintering.

Has runny eyes

Occasionally rabbits will have runny eyes due to dusty hay, draughts and specks of dirt. The eyes should be wiped gently from the inner to the outer corner with cotton wool soaked in warm salted water, which has been boiled and left to cool. If your rabbit’s eyes are discharging a pus-like substance and are red and swollen, take your rabbit to your vet straight away.

Has Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea in rabbits is normally a sign that he is eating too many greens or wet grass. It can also be caused from stress due to damp bedding, cold and draughts. Sometimes diarrhoea may be a result of an infection or inflammation of the digestive system. If a rabbit eats little or nothing it will soon become weak and dehydrated, tempt him with hay and perhaps a piece of brown bread or toast. Do not give the rabbit any greens or foods high in protein, but ensure it has plenty of drinking water. Disinfect the hutch and change the bedding and litter at least twice a day. If your rabbit doesn't get any better within 24 hours, then you should visit the vet straight away, taking a sample of stool for analysis.

Is shaking his head and scratching behind his ears

If the rabbit is shaking his head and scratching behind his ears, it may have ear mites. These are parasites which burrow into a rabbit's skin causing itchiness and discomfort. Typical signs include loss of fur, red or flaky skin and brownish deposits inside the rabbit's ears. Your vet will be able to provide a lotion or cream to help clear up the mites. To prevent reinfestation, clean the hutch thoroughly and change the bedding everyday. Avoid giving your bunny dusty hay or straw as these can carry the mites. Ear mites are very contagious and can easily be transmitted to other rabbits

If your rabbit shows any of the above symptoms or any other signs of illness contact your vet immediately.