Rabbit Health

Home >> Pet Care >> Rabbit Health

Rabbit Health

Rabbits are prone to illness which is usually caused by poor management or unsanitary living conditions. Sorehocks, for example, result from rough or wetfloors. In this condition, the pads of the rab-bit's hind feet become inflamed, producing anunhappy rabbit who loses vitality and weight ifthe condition is not cared for immediately.Change the bed frequently or run the rabbit ondry soil to correct the problem. Severe casescan be treated by cleaning the pads with soapand warm water and then, after drying, dabbingthe area with iodine.
Small mites which invade the external earof the rabbit produce ear mange. Fluid releasedfrom infected areas hardens into irritatingscabs. An animal infected with ear mange willcontinually scratch the infected ear with its hindleg, thereby scratching open the scabs andcausing further infection. A solution of onepart camphorated oil and five parts heavy min-eral oil should be applied to the area daily untilthe infection heals.

Vent disease, or inflammation of the sexorgans, can be controlled by applying a lotionof one part calomel to three parts lanolin.The disease will not afflict healthy animals ifthey are bred with care.

Colds and pneumonia may be caused byraising animals in drafty environments. It iswise to consult a vet about these and other seri-ous ailments. Below is a list of some rabbit health problems.

Abscesses

Abscesses are most commonly found around the jaw, neckand feet. They usually need to be lanced and hence requireveterinary treatment with antibiotics.

Constipation

Constipation is a frequently encountered problem. Feedonly moist greens for two or three days and add liquid paraffin

Cystitis

The most common urinary problem is cystitis, evidenced by pusand blood passed when the animal's bladder ispressed. The rabbit is slightly lethargic and may be off itsfood and be drinking more water than usual. The cystitisdoes not seem to cause pain and responds well to veterin-ary treatment with Penicillin/Clavulox.

Diarrhoea

It may be caused by too many greens in the diet, but isusually the result of coccidiosis. Treat with Thiabendazole(injection) 5 milligrams per 100 grams body-weight, or 0.1per cent Sulphamethazine in drinking water for two weeks orpreferably a coccidiocide.

Ear disorders

The usual sign of an ear problem is that the rabbit ising its head and scratching its ears. Sometimes the the ear will have a red, yellow or whitish scale on the surface, and it may smell because of a discharge ear. The ear infections are usually caused by mites. If can, clean the rabbit's ears out with cotton buds an apply them with a lukewarm 50 per cent peroxide water solution before using ear drops available from your veterinarian.

Eye Disorders

A reddened and protruding eye is usually caused b zainfection (or abscess) below the eye or by conjunctivits.Treatment includes lancing and antibiotics.

Head Tilt

The cause is trauma or middle ear infection. Treatment is by cat or dog ear drops and injection of Gentamycin 5 milligrams per kilogram body weight.

Mange

Skin mange is also caused by mites. The rabbit will itself continually about the infested area until rawappear. The lesions can take various forms; some- -there will be a wet, moist area with a yellowish crust or there may be just loss of hair with no apparent on of the skin. These areas can be treated with benzylbe=lotion to a third of the body daily until the whole bod-:been treated. Repeat weekly for two or three weeksbest to clip away the hair for at least 2 centimetres on the lesions. A new product called Ectodex is provinisuccessful. In serious cases the veterinarian will take ascraping to determine the type of mite causing thelem. A greyish or yellowish crust on nose, face and also be caused by ringworm. Apply Thiabendazole K1-ution twice daily for ten days. Griseofulvin tablets rate of 2 milligrams per 100 grams body-weight) ingive good results. Ivermectin is also useful. Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary

Myxornatosis

This is a highly fatal viral disease which is transmitted mosquitoes and the rabbit flea. After a short period there is a fever, followed by a reluctance to ea: nreears become hot and swollen. The eyes become and red and begin to weep. Death invariably occurs withinseven days.

Pregnancy Toxaemia.

This can account for deaths occurring suddenly during latepregnancy. The toxaemia is usually nutritional in originand may be caused by the intake of food failing in quantityor quality or both towards the end of pregnancy.

Respiratory Diseases

When the rabbit develops a cold it sniffles and sneezes justlike a human being with a cold. To identify cases early, putyour ear to the rabbit's chest and listen for the typical rat-tling sound. Take the rabbit to the vet at this stage.

Sometimes pneumonia may develop in very young rab-bits or nursing does. If this happens, the rabbit will lose itsappetite, be very thirsty and have a fever. The normal bodytemperature is 39°C. Fever temperature is above 40°C.The breathing will be laboured and heavy in near terminalcases. The pneumonia may be complicated and associated with diarrhoea. In these cases it is best to take the rabbitto a vet who will prescribe an antibiotic. A good antibioticis Ampicillin orally 10 milligrams per kilogram body-weight twice daily for seven days.

Slobbers

Excess production of saliva, difficulty in eating and gettingovergrown teeth caught on the wire cage are all signs ofovergrown or ingrown incisors or molars.

It usually occurs in mature rabbits who are not pro-vided with hard objects to gnaw. However, the greatestcause is malocclusion or failure of the opposing teeth tomeet. The only effective treatment is to cut overgrown oringrown incisors or molars.

Sores

Sores can be a consequence of keeping bucks in over-crowded conditions. Fighting breaks out between the bucksand even the strongest male may suffer scratching and sub-sequent sores.

Pressure sores on hocks are common in rabbits housedin cages with wire flooring.

Teeth Disorders

Overgrowth of incisor teeth is caused by insufficient rough-age in the rabbit's diet. The teeth should be filed down withan emery board or file. Add roughage to the diet and awood block to the cage for chewing, so that the teeth aresubjected to normal (and necessary) wear.

Vaccinations

Vaccination against myxomatosis—a viral disease which incertain areas has been introduced to eradicate the wildrabbit—is available in some areas for pet rabbits. Otherwiserabbits do not require vaccination.

Weight loss

Weight loss or poor weight gain, loss of strength, orstiffness in hindlegs are all caused by a vitamin Edeficiency. Add vitamin E to the rabbit's diet at the rate of1 milligram per kilogram body-weight until symptoms disappear.

Other Pet Care Articles:

Home :: Contact Us :: About Us :: Privacy Policy :: Terms of Use :: Site Map