Basic healthcare for rabbits

Before you arrive at the surgery, make sure you have phoned the vet before you leave. Place your pet in a basket or box. You might not be the only Basic healthcare for rabbits person in the waiting room.

With rabbits, illness can quickly develop. Rabbits often do not appear ill until they are very sick to avoid being spotted by predators. Contact the vet immediately if your pet seems unwell. It might not be too late.

How can you tell whether your rabbit is sick?

Contact your vet immediately if your bunny is more quiet than normal, if it is sitting still, hunched over, doesn’t want to move around, or has not eaten in the past 12 hours. You should see a veterinarian immediately if your rabbit is experiencing severe diarrhea, teeth grinding, breathing problems, difficulty, straining, or signs of maggot bites.

Fly strike and you will have healthcare for rabbits!

It’s not a sensation in tabloids – unfortunately, this is all too common. All rabbits, even indoor ones, are vulnerable to maggot attack during warmer months. These maggots eat into the flesh and can release toxic substances that can cause severe injury, shock, or even death. Fly strike is the name of this condition.

Maggots on your rabbit can be a serious problem. Please contact the vet immediately. Sometimes, extreme cases may require euthanasia. Intensive treatment may be necessary in severe cases. It can take weeks for damaged areas to heal.

Dirty fur attracts flies and increases the risk. The risk is greatest for rabbits who cannot clean themselves properly, whether they are overweight, elderly, arthritic and longhaired or have dental disease. Open wounds and abscesses Basic healthcare for rabbits increase the risk. Ask your veterinarian for advice.

Fly strike can happen to any rabbit. Every day, you must inspect your rabbit underneath and around its bottom for faecal dirt, sore areas and matted fur.

Vaccinating your rabbit

All rabbits must be vaccinated against viral haemorrhagic and myxomatosis. Myxomatosis can be fatal. Milder forms of the virus are sometimes possible. It spreads by bites from insects like fleas or mosquitoes, as well by contact with infected rabbits. As with all vaccines, vaccination does not guarantee complete protection. However, it is more likely that vaccinated bunnies will survive. The UK recommends that vaccines be given every six months in high risk areas such as areas with high levels of mosquitoes and/or wild bunnies, flat marshy areas and areas with high malaria rates.

It is best to get your annual vaccines in spring as biting insects become more frequent. Ask your vet to recommend a flea treatment and protection against mosquitoes for your rabbits and cats. You should not allow stagnant water to enter your garden. Instead, use mosquito-proof screens on hutches.

What are rabbits eating?

The digestive system of a rabbit is more similar to that of a horse than it is with dogs or cats. A rabbit needs a high fiber diet because without it, their bowels will not function properly. A good source of grass or grass hay is best, but ensure that the grass is free from mould, dust and any grass seeds that might get into their eyes.

Remember to give small amounts of fresh vegetables. Cereal-based diets (the muesli type) are high in sugar, low in minerals and should be avoided. A better option is to use small amounts of high-fibre, pelleted foods. Introduce new foods slowly to avoid stomach upsets. Caecotrophy is a unique characteristic in rabbits. It means they eat special faecal pellets. These are paste-like, covered with jelly-like mucus and similar to rabbit faeces, but softer and bulkier. They can be eaten every day, especially during grooming at nights, and they contain essential nutrients.

Consult a veterinarian immediately if your pet stops eating or passes feces. You can put your pet on a diet if they have digestive issues or any other problems. Dental disease, stress and other issues are just a few examples. Or else, you could have further problems.

Grooming your rabbit

Wild rabbits are social animals that groom each other. If your bunnies have a shorter hair, you will need to groom them weekly. Your vet can show you how to clip longhairs.

Rabbits usually moult once a year in the wild. But, pets rabbits might moult more often. Some hairs may appear to be clumped together, while others may go bald. Moulting begins on the head and moves down to the stomach. However, this does not always happen in a consistent pattern.

Sometimes, there is a line that separates new and old fur. It is important to groom frequently during moulting, as too much fur can block the bowel. You can remove any loose fur by rubbing your hands on it. If there are fewer faeces than usual, or if they are dry, contact the vet. Hay should be plentiful.