Rabbits are often thought
of as low-maintenance pets, but in reality they require as much attention as a
dog or cat, or any other household companion.
Rabbit illnesses often come
on suddenly, or seemingly so, since they are so good at hiding their
weaknesses. Rabbits are prey animals, which means that they do their best to
hide any illness; in the wild, a sick rabbit is a dead rabbit. As a rabbit
caregiver, your job is to be vigilant so you can catch diseases early enough to
treat.
Supervising your rabbit
and getting to know him and his habits is your first line of defense. So what
are some of the things you can observe and watch?
Behavior
Clues
Familiarize yourself with these behaviors. If you notice any changes in any
behavior, be on the alert!
©Eating style: Notice
your rabbit's eating style -- does he eat slowly, nibbling his food over a
period of time or does he devour his meals immediately with gusto?
©Activity style: Is your
bunny active and playful during the morning and evening hours?
©Diet: Does he
eat plenty of hay and veggies, and drink lots of water, or just a little?
©Droppings: Check
his droppings daily -- are they round and plentiful?
Changes in dropping size, color, texture, or amount can indicate a number of
different problems. Changes in droppings are often accompanied by lethargy and
a lack of interest in food. Prompt action is called for. Ask yourself:
o
Is he shedding? Perhaps he's ingested too much fur.
Has he been nibbling at your carpet or upholstery? Perhaps he's ingested some
undesirable fibers.
o
Are his droppings connected, looking like a string of
pearls? These are droppings literally strung together, usually with hair or
carpet fibers.
For either situation, give a daily dose of Laxatone or Petromalt (cat laxatives
for furballs, available at any vet's office) until his droppings return to
normal. Just a squeeze on your finger will do. Some buns will lick it right off
your finger, others not. If yours isn't a laxative licker, just apply it to the
top of his hand. He'll lick it to clean up.
You can give papaya tablets and pineapple juice also, both of which may help
break up the mucous that binds the hair to the droppings.
Be sure to talk to a qualified rabbit veterinarian if this problem shows up.
He/she should be able to palpate your rabbit to feel for impaction. Your vet
may suggest some more potent enzymes such as Pancrazyme, which can help clear
up the problem. If a hairball problem persists, surgery may be necessary to
remove the impaction.
©Other digestive problems:
Enteritis (inflammation of the intestinal tract) is caused by an imbalance of
intestinal flora. Treatment usually includes antibiotics and fluids. See your
vet immediately if your rabbit's droppings have a slimy mucous coating
around them. This can be a sign of enteritis.
Don't confuse this slimy coating with cecal clusters. These are small and
shiny, resembling a cluster of tiny grapes. These are normal and usually your
bun will eat them directly from his anus. Occasionally, they leave a little
extra bunch around. If he doesn't eat them, just pick them up with a tissue and
toss.
General Health Clues
Watch out for these signs of changing health status.
©Sneezes and discharges: Does
your rabbit sneeze and/or have discharge from his eyes or nose?
These can indicate a variety of illnesses, but Pasteurella Multocida, a common
bacterial infection is one likely suspect. See your veterinarian immediately to
get a culture and sensitivity test to determine the cause of bunny's distress.
No respiratory infection can be absolutely identified without a culture, and
the antibiotic that will clear up the infection cannot be positively determined
without the sensitivity test.
Pasteurella, while often present in rabbits, is not always active, causing
symptoms. When it flares up (often as a result of stress -- positive or
negative) it is treated with an antibiotic. Remember, not all antibiotics cure
all strains of Pasteurella. A culture and sensitivity are paramount to
determine that the infection really is Pasteurella, and which antibiotic will
be effective against it.
©Breathing difficulties: Is your
rabbit showing signs of difficult breathing? Labored or raspy breathing can
have a variety of causes.
Labored breathing in a rabbit is not short, quick breathing, but rather long,
deep breathing.
If there is no reason to suspect heat stress, an upper respiratory problem may
be the cause. These are not uncommon in rabbits. Pasteurella, pseudomonas, and
other bugs can infect the lungs and/or sinuses causing breathing problems. And
rabbits can have allergies, just like anyone else! Once again, a culture will
help determine what the problem is and appropriate treatment.
The general rule in
rabbit care is VIGILANCE! Know your rabbit and his habits and you will be
more likely to catch a disease in its early stages. This is one reason why
it is vital that an adult have primary responsibility for the care of the
family rabbit. A child cannot be held responsible for checking droppings,
eating habits, or monitoring bunny's activities.
Medical Care
Be sure to find a
qualified rabbit vet BEFORE you need one. An emergency
is not the right time to hunt for a vet.
©Annual check ups: Go for
annual well rabbit check ups. Just as with any companion animal (or human for
that matter), the more familiar your vet is with your rabbit while healthy, the
better able he/she is to resolve problems when the arise.
If your rabbit is five years old or older, go twice per year. Older rabbits
have diminished abilities to ward off illnesses once they hit.
©When in doubt:
Remember, when in doubt, see your vet. Your rabbit's life may depend on it!
©Take a deep breath:
Remember too, don't panic or stress out when you discover that your rabbit is
having problems. Rabbits pick up on the emotional state of humans very easily.
If you are tense or stressed out, bun will act similarly, so stay calm. Rabbit
illnesses and conditions are not all life threatening, so act as soon as you
notice something is different, or wrong. If you do not see a vet
when you suspect a problem, you may not know its severity until it's too late.
There is a wealth of
additional health related information located on the national HRS web site. Take a hop over and
use the search engine to find out more about what interests you most.
With a little effort and
careful attention, your rabbit will lead a long, healthy, and happy life.
Enjoy!
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