An Overview of Rabbit Health

Observe your rabbit’s behaviour closely everyday and you will be able to tell when your rabbit is not well. The earlier you spot any illness signs the better, as rabbits are prey animals and will hide their illnesses. Always check they are eating their food and hay every day. Always seek advice from your vet immediately if you are unsure what to do. Carrying out regular health checks will also keep your rabbit happy and healthy.

Signs Something is Seriously Wrong -

Your rabbit is limp, floppy and cold

Difficulty breathing

Flystrike – maggots visible on back end

Severe diarrhoea

Grinding teeth loudly

Fitting

Loss of weight

PLEASE NOTE: See your vet immediately, as an emergency, if your rabbit has any of the above symptoms.

Other Signs all is not Well

It is extremely important to monitor your rabbit closely.

When to seek advice from your vet depends on you and your expertise & also down to how well you know your rabbit and your rabbits health history. If you are unsure what to do contact your vet asap. The first few hours are crucial! Rabbits can go down hill very quickly, especially if they are not eating!

Difference in behaviour

Doesn’t come to greet you

Not interested in food

Hunched up

Hiding/sitting in a corner

Not drinking/Drinking too much

Sitting in same place all day

Laying down and getting up again quickly

Diarrhoea

No droppings in tray

Lets you pick them up when usually they don’t

Watery/creamy eyes

Wet nose / discharge / sneezing.

Common Issues and What to Do

NOT EATING -

If your rabbit is not eating then you will need to try and encourage them to eat. Fresh herbs such as Fennel, Dill and Tarragon - which stimulate appetite, freshly picked grass, and weeds such as Chickweed, Dandelions and Puha are favourite foods which encourage a sick rabbit to eat again. Gently wave some food or hay in front of your rabbit’s face and keep doing it. Follow them when they turn away also. They may eventually get a little irritated and mad with you and go to bite at what you are waving at them and this is when they may start eating it. Keep trying and just watch your fingers!

Look for signs that may help you figure out what the problem could be. The first 24 hours are crucial as their stomach will shut down and there is the chance that they could go into shock quite quickly. If they have not eaten anything for a good few hours then contact your vet. Also check for any droppings, as your vet will check for a blockage and to know if they have produced any droppings recently will really help your vet.

GI STASIS 

For detailed information about Stasis click here - Stasis / Ileus / Gi Hypomotility / Bloat

GI Stasis is common in rabbits and can be deadly. The rabbits gut will slow down and eventually stop working completely. Stasis can lead to death within 24 hours if swift action is not taken.

Once your rabbit has been checked by your vet & they confirm no blockages are present, you can start to syringe feed your rabbit some food along with the pain relief and motility drugs prescribed by your vet. As well as the medication you are given, you will need to syringe feed your rabbit some mashed up pellets or even better, Critical Care or Dual Care. Feed them around 10mls per kg of rabbit weight, every 3-4 hours including through the night, until they start to poop and eat on their own again.

Recovery from GI Stasis can be gradual. It may be days or weeks before droppings are back to normal again. It's important to continue to give motility medication until your rabbit has returned to normal and then waen them off it over. few days to help avoid relapse.

Always contact your vet if you have any concerns while nursing your rabbit back to health after they have suffered a bout of GI Stasis

DENTAL ISSUES

For detailed information about Dental Issues click here - Dental Issues

SYMPTOMS

Are they interested in the food, but not actually eating it?

Are they trying to eat it and opening their mouth a bit funny when chewing?

Are they putting a paw up to their mouth?

Look for wet fur at the side of their mouth, like they have been dribbling.

Do they have unexplained weight loss?

If your rabbit has any of the symptoms above or if you are unsure in anyway you will need to get them to a rabbit savvy vet for a full dental assessment - including molars, asap. It is likely your rabbit may need to be admitted for a dental at your vets. If they are no longer eating on their own, but are still producing droppings, you could syringe feed them some mashed up pellets or Critical Care. Just be gentle with them as their mouths may be very sore. Check they do not have a blockage before you syringe feed them.

EC

For detailed information about EC click here - EC / Encephalitozoon cuniculi / Head Tilt / Torticollis

Recognising that your rabbit may have EC and taking swift action is essential.

SYMPTOMS

Head tilt

Fits

Rear Limb Paralysis

Loss of litter training

Increased drinking/urinating.

Urinary Incontinence

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

See the file above

ABSCESSES

For detailed information about Abscesses click here - Abscesses & Skin Infections

Abscesses are lumps filled with pus and are usually caused by a bacterial infection introduced by a bite, other injury or dental problems. They are not always visible to us as they can sit under the skin too. If left untreated the infection may get into the blood stream of your rabbit and this can prove to be fatal.

Always check for abscesses when carrying out a health check on your rabbit. Feel all over their body, around the bottom of the ears and head and along the jaw line too. The abscesses will feel quite firm and are usually about the size of a small grape, but the sizes can vary. Look for parts of the skin that look redder and feel hotter than the rest of the body.

SYMPTOMS

Constantly itching or scratching at a certain area

A lump above or under the skin which feels hotter than the rest of the skin

Loss of appetite

Lethargy

Weight Loss

FLY STIKE / MAGGOTS

For detailed information about Fly Strike and Maggots click here - Flystrike / Maggots

Flystrike is something every rabbit owner should dread and work hard at avoiding. Flystrike is when flies will lay their eggs on the soiled, back end of a rabbit. The eggs then hatch into maggots and the maggots will slowly eat your rabbit alive.

Check, check and check again your rabbit’s behind and rump, not only through the summer months, but all year round too. People think this can only happen when the weather is warm, but it can happen in colder weather too.

Make sure your rabbit’s bottom is always clean and that includes the scent glands too. Flies can lay the eggs deep into folds of skin, so always check very thoroughly.

Never delay in getting your rabbit to a vet if you do suspect flystrike.

Base Source Material from - Best4Bunny, with edits.

Further Reading -

Detecting Illness before it’s an Emergency - by Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Recognising Emergencies - Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund

Recognising Pain in rabbits - The Rabbit Grimace Scale (RbtGS) Manual

Pain Management for Rabbits - Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund

How Can I Determine My Rabbit's Sex?

Aromatherapy

Animal Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Safety - by Kelly Holland Azzaro

* NOTE - WW dose NOT recommend the use of Tea Tree Oil with rabbits as it is extremely toxic to animals and is best avoided entirely.

Essential Oils for Pets – Medicine or Toxin?