Common Rabbit Diseases
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Abscesses: are lumps that appear suddenly and are caused from fighting and from cuts and wounds sustained by sharp edges on feeders etc. The treatment for this condition is to clip the fur away from the wound, make an incision on the lower edge of this so that it can drain freely and then bathe with warm salty water or a mild antiseptic twice a day until it finishes discharging. |
Furblock: You will notice that your rabbit has stopped eating and may have stopped drinking as well, but there is no sign of diarreah. You will see small fecal pellets or none at all. Your rabbit may look listless. If you feel the belly inbetween the ribcage and the back legs, you will feel it is rather empty. If you are able to palpate (feel gently and deeply into the rabbit's gut), you may find a hard lump or blockage. I have used successfully with a blocked English Angora a large dose of mineral oil. You need to get the gut moving as soon as possible. Rub the tummy, give plenty of timothy hay and papaya tablets will help too. Watch the rabbit closely and repeat as necessary.
Coccidiosis: is a distressing disease which rabbits develop by licking dirty feet or coats or by eating and drinking contaminated food and water. It appears in dirty hutches with unchanged bedding and unclean feed and water dishes. The rabbit loses weight and sits in a hunched position with its feet forward. There will be diarrhea with sudden weight loss. This disease causes large losses in the young rabbit but can be prevented. An unthrifty, out of condition rabbit that won't gain weight no matter how good you feed could have this problem.
Cold: symptoms are sneezing and a nasal discharge. Usually not serious in itself the rabbit should still be isolated.
Conjunctivitis: is an inflammation of the eye caused by bucks spraying urine, draughts, ammonia fumes, or a dusty atmosphere. An eye ointment available from the vet can easily treat this.
Constipation: usually is the reason for when a rabbit goes off its food and only produces hard dried up droppings. More greens should be provided to prevent this occuring.
Heat: stress will cause the rabbit to lie in a prostrate position panting rapidly. Keeping a bottle of water in the freezer and placing it in the cage near the rabbit can lower the temperature. Heat stress can occur suddenly and kill within only a few hours.
Mastitis: is an inflammation of the milk glands and often results from the teats being banged, often as the doe hops into the nest box to feed her young. A swelling will appear but an injection of penicillin will cure the infection.
Diarreah or Mucoid Enteritis (or bloat or scours): is one of the main causes of death in rabbits. The symptoms are apathy, grinding of the teeth, squinting eyes and a loss of weight. Usually there is terrible diarrhea with a clear mucoid substance. The rabbit should be taken off pellets and fed only hay and given plenty of water to drink. After a few days the rabbit can be gradually re-introduced to its food. Prevention is the key. I do not recommend feeding greens and vegetables to a rabbit under 4 months old.
Enteritis: If your bunny is suddenly listless, sitting in the corner, bloated or sloshy sounding belly, possibly grinding his teeth, and has a very wet tail and back feet, he may have Enteritis. He may have clear jelly poops, which may have a different smell than usual, you need to act quickly. You might notice that he's stopped eating and drinking as well. He/she will need fluids, dehydration kills. I use a baby dropper with water and vitamin/electrolyte into the rabbit's cheek, drip slowly so that he doesn't choke. Make sure his is swallowing the fluid. Some people have even used pedialyte with success. Remove all pellets for a few days and replace with timothy hay.
Obesity: in over-fed rabbits results in breeding difficulties and affected animals may become sterile. Sudden death can also occur. Food should be reduced and exercise increased.
Rabbit Syphillis: Rabbit VD can be spread quickly in a herd by sexual transmission. You may notice scabs or pimples on the vent area of your rabbit. Both bucks and does can have it. It can cause miscarriages and stillborn kits. You can use Penicillin injections to get rid of this disease. Paralysis: occurs in the hindquarters and is usually caused by injury such as dropping the rabbit or disturbance by other animals. There is generally no cure for this condition and the animal should be put down.
Red Urine: is reddish urine caused by cold temperatures, feeding too many greens or carrots. Provide plenty of water.
Snuffles: is a thick white discharge from the nose accompanied with a lot of sneezing. It is caused by stress or bad ventilation in the rabbitry and is highly contagious and incurable. Affected rabbits should be destroyed as they will infect other stock. Although it is necessary for the rabbits owner to recognise these conditions, when in doubt a veterinarian should always be consulted.
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