This site aims to provide basic care information - please follow the links for further
information about adopting and caring for your pet bunny. More detailed care information
can be found on the Rabbit Owner’s CD.
Rabbits are generally healthy and hardy animals - but they can also deteriorate very
rapidly should they become ill and, often, they won't display obvious signs or symptoms
until any illness is quite advanced. Therefore, it is vital you are highly vigilant
in checking your bunny.
Look for:
Behavioural changes -
- sitting quietly in a corner
- sitting apart from your other rabbits
- ignoring favourite toys
- sitting huddled up or grinding teeth - which can be a sign of pain
- not rushing to the food bowl at feeding times
- refusing favourite treats
Signs of possible illness-
- a decrease in the amount of feed and water consumed
- reduction in number (and size) of droppings (can indicate early stasis)
- dehydration
- cold ears
- rapid breathing
- sneezing (could be simple allergy or dusty-irritant, or pasteurella)
- obvious abdominal tenderness
- bloated abdomen (could indicate gastric stasis)
- diarrhoea (rehydration may be necessary)
- poor coat quality
- obvious weakness or splayed legs
- runny eyes or a white eye discharge (possible conjunctivitis or pasteurella)
- dehydration
- purple tinge to lips, tongue (can indicate respiratory disease)
This is only a very brief summary and, if you have the slightest suspicion that your
bunny might be ill, then it is essential that he/she is examined by a rabbit-savvy
veterinary surgeon without delay.
Rabbits usually live for 5-8 years, on average. Small dwarf breeds tend to have
a longer life-span while the larger breeds, such as French Lops, have a disappointingly
shorter average life expectancy of about 4-5 years. However, husbandry, diet and
healthcare factors can have a further influence on life-expectancy and prompt diagnosis
of any medical conditions can ensure any illnesses don't develop to become fatal.
The most common general problems include overgrown nails (which should be regularly
checked), overgrown teeth and diarrhoea caused by too many green foods or an infection.
If your rabbit develops diarrhoea, runny eyes or nose, has a poor coat, sits alone
huddled in a corner of the hutch or cage, becomes lethargic, loses his/her appetite
or appears to be losing weight then veterinary attention must be sought immediately.
Young rabbits are especially susceptible to stomach and digestive problems - such
as mucoid enteropathy while older bunnies are more prone to respiratory problems.
Gastric stasis can affect rabbits of any age, particularly during a moult (hence
the need for additional, twice-daily grooming during these periods) and can be potentially
fatal.
If your young rabbit appears to be off its food, producing no droppings at all, is
dehydrated and/or has a hard and lumpy, or very bloated abdomen, this can indicate
gastric stasis which requires immediate treatment from a Vet. The sooner this is
treated then the greater the chances of recovery from this disease, known as the
'silent killer'. A bunny suffering from stasis will need several days of intensive
nursing round-the-clock - but s/he can recover if treated promptly.
It is strongly recommended that you have your rabbit(s) vaccinated against VHD (viral
haemorrhagic disease) annually and myxomatosis every 6 months.
bravenet.com