 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rabbits are very good at hiding illness. As a house rabbit owner, you must be very aware of sudden changes in the rabbit's behavior, eating habits and litter box habits. If your rabbit is usually very active, and now sits in the corner, has not been eating or using the litter box, your rabbit could be very ill. The following is a simple list of some common health concerns and illnesses regarding house rabbits. If you are ever in question about your rabbits health, always consult your veterinarian. The earlier an illness is detected, the easier it is to treat. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Runny, watery eyes or nose, excessive sneezing, labored breathing, wheezing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| These could indicate an bacterial infection (especially when accomponied by a fever), upperesperatory infection, blocked tear ducts, or other problems. See your veterinarian right away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss of balance or head tilt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This can be a sign of an inner ear infection or E. cuniculi. It can occur suddenly. Treatment may be lengthy and improvent take a bit of time, but can be cured if treatment is begun as quickly as possible. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Diarrhea or other stool abnormalities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diarrhea is dangerous to the health of the house rabbit. If you notice your rabbit has thin, watery stools, contact your vet immediately. Abnormally small droppings, dropping strung together with fur, or the absence of droppings all together (especially if you notice the rabbit sitting hunched up), can indicate a possible obstruction and needs to be examined by a vet. Brushing the rabbit, especially during a molt, and plenty of fresh hay will help produce optimum digestive tract health. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
White or red urine | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certain foods can cause the rabbit's urine to appear red or orange. Actual blood in the urine can be indicative of cancer, urinary stones, or a bladder infection. If you see blood in the urine, contact your vet right away. White urine which looks "chalky" when dry, is an excretion of excess calcium. While the occasional white urine is nothing to be overly concerned about, if you notice this frequently, you will want to take your rabbit to the vet. You may have to modify the amount of pellets your rabbit is eating or the types of vegetables that the rabbit is eating. Too much calcium in the system can lead to calcium deposits and "sludge" (a browinsh gritty, sandy appearence in the urine) in the digestive system, leading to a lot of problems for the rabbit. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Body temperature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rabbits regulate their body temperature by their ears. Excessively warm or cool ears, especially when accompanied by other noticable changes can indicate a possible illness and should be addressed by a vet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Wet chin or drooling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A rabbit who is drooling or has a regulary wet chin, especially coupled by a decrease in appetite, may have a tooth problem known as malocclusion. This occurs when the rabbit's teeth are not worn down by normal use. This needs to be treated by a veterinarin right away. If left untreated it can lead to infection of the jaw bone. The vet will need to trim the rabbit's teeth, and depending on the severity, this may need to be done on a regular basis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Bumps and Lumps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumps and bumps may be abscesses or tumors and can be serious. Have these checked by your vet as soon as possible. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Excessive head shaking or scratching | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If you notice your house rabbit excessively shaking his head, frequently scratchinger her ears, it could be possible that the rabbit has ear mites. If ear mites are present, you can sometimes see small scabs within the ear canal. See your veterinarin for treatment. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Spaying and Neutering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spaying or neutering is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your house rabbit. The risk of reproductive cancers is virtually eliminated through spaying the female rabbit. Neutering is also healthy for the male rabbit is it eliminates the sexual aggressions and spraying. Altered rabbits are calmer, more affectionate and easier to litter train once the urge to mate has been removed. Spaying and neutering are very safe procedures. Make sure that you choose an experienced rabbit veterinarin to alter your house rabbit. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medication Warning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amoxicillan and Clavamox can kill a rabbit. Oral penicillins destroy the good intestinal bacterias and can cause death. Good include Baytril (enrofloxacin); Diprofloxacin; Chloramphenicol (viceton is the tablet form); Tetracycline; Trimethoprime/Sulfa (Bactrim); Sulfamethazine; and Amalcacin and Gentomycin (short-term use only; 3-5 days). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CLICK HERE TO READ TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A VETERINARIAN FOR YOUR HOUSE RABBIT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||