Caring for Your Bunny: Common Rabbit Illnesses

Rabbits don’t take well to illness, as hardy little creatures as they are; they still have a really hard time dealing with internal difficulties. Many illnesses in bunnies are fatal if left untreated, and some are extremely hard to treat even when they’ve been caught in time. So it’s our duty as bunny owners to look after out furry friends and keep them feeling their best.

The most common reason for our little baby bunny’s not feeling so chipper is actually in the diet we give them. If you’re like me, it’s a little hard to resist giving them that extra treat, especially when they’re calling up into your lap and licking you like a happy little puppy. However, it is very important to make sure your rabbit maintains a healthy diet. Try and find treats that are healthy and okay to eat often if you know you’re going to spoil your little critter rotten. Stay away from foods that are high in starch, these will cause a world of problems starting with diarrhea. A healthy rabbit diet includes eating hay or fresh grass, plenty of calcium (sunlight for the vitamin D to process the calcium) and food pellets. Don’t let your bunny just pick out the “good” stuff. Be sure they’re getting plenty of pellets. Pick out extras that your bunny can eat later, ration the “good” stuff, or simply buy only pellets. Fresh fruits and veggies are great treats, but do limit them. If diarrhea develops, take them away and feed them only hay for at least 24 hours. Additionally, your bunny will need a nice salt lick (salt wheel) to nibble on, as well as some chew toys. This will help to curb teeth growth and boredom.

Other ways to avoid diarrhea due to dietary onsets is to make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle cause major problems in rabbits that span far beyond simply having diarrhea. So be sure to give your bunny enough play time, and encourage them to run around. If you get them young enough and they have all their shots, take them out for a romp in the park or the backyard on a leash. Just be sure to check for parasites if they play outside.

Unfortunately, diet isn’t the only thing that causes diarrhea in rabbits. Diarrhea can actually be a serious sign of illness and should be watched carefully. One very serious illness is called Enterotoxaemia and is highly fatal. Bacteria gets in the system and produces a powerful poison that causes profuse watery and sometimes bloody diarrhea as well as depression. (Taylor, 1999). It takes only 1-2 days of this illness for a bunny die because of it, so catching it fast and taking immediate action is key. Call your vet immediately to find out what emergency measures can be taken and then take your pet in. You’ll probably need to give you pet lots and lots of water. Still, waiting overnight on this one isn’t a good idea. If you have to take your pet to an emergency clinic instead of his normal care provider, so be it. Enterotoxaemia is extremely dangerous and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Taylor notes in his book on Rabbits that the illness is most common in newly weaned bunnies, however, can occur after a course of antibiotics in bunnies of any age. He notes that amoxycilin, ampicilin, cepholexin, clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, penicillin, and tylosin are antibiotics that should be avoided in rabbits if possible. (1999).

Another diarrhea related illness is called Coccidiosis, it’s a extremely tiny internal parasite that causes liver damage. Like the aforementioned condition, it causes persistent diarrhea, as well as weakness and jaundice. This is a very serious condition that can result in death if left untreated. As mentioned earlier, diarrhea can be a serious sign of illness, so don’t take it lightly. If your bunny is having diarrhea call you veterinary. They may be able to provide insight over the phone and tell you what to look for, but they may also need to see the pet. Be aware of this in order to prevent serious consequences.

Another problem, yet thankfully a less dangerous one, is the threat of overgrown teeth. Rabbit’s teeth are always growing, so you’ve got to watch and make sure that your bunny’s teeth are both growing in properly and getting whittled down enough each day. Overgrown teeth cause your pet to stop eating and grooming, as a result they’ll loose weight. Also, having long bothersome teeth in the way will make them dribble excessively. Their eyes will be watery and soft feces may be stuck to their underside do to inability to take care of their hygiene needs. (Magnus, 2006). Overgrown teeth is a regrettable condition, but one that is easily preventable and curable. If your pet is suffering from overgrown teeth take them for a trip to the vet, your veterinarian can whittle down their teeth for them and make sure they’re growing in properly for future reference. Make sure your little bunny has plenty of hard chewable toys and a salt wheel to help keep their growing teeth in check.

Rabbit owners also often complain about discharge around their pet’s eye/eyes. This can be due to a tear duct infection. It’s another minor problem, but a common one and can be very aggravating to your bunny. Such an infection will cause white discharge to come from the eyes and possibly the nostrils as well. Like when humans get a runny nose or eye infection, this causes the skin to get very dry and sore. The infection is generally due to bacteria, but can also be caused by tooth disease. A trip to the vet for some take home eye drops (tame bunnies are usually great about eye drops) and a veterinary does of antibiotics will do the trick. Be consistent with the eye drops and your little critter will be better in no time.

Your rabbit’s environmental hygiene is as important as his own hygiene. Factors concerning his environment can affect his heath significantly. Bedding should be cleaned often and his hutch should be disinfected with a pet safe spray to kill germs and larvae that may be present. You may have to buy two separate sprays for this, but your pet’s safety is worth it. Also, wet or damp bedding or housing can cause bunny pneumonia. Such conditions should be avoided at all costs. If you keep your rabbit outside, make sure that the moisture isn’t causing the hutch to become damp and make sure both the bunny and the bedding are staying dry. Symptoms of pneumonia include loss of appetite, labored breathing, a dull coat, and nasal discharge. (RSPCA, 2004). If these symptoms are spotted take your pet to the vet immediately. Pneumonia is a serious condition. It is also easily avoided, so take care to prevent the aforementioned conditions.

Similarly, too much sun exposure can cause heat stroke, another illness that affects both animals and humans. Keep your bunny out of direct sunlight for extended period of time. Don’t leave them in unattended cars or without ventilation during a car trip or while at home. Make sure your pet has plenty of water available and a shady cool place to lay. If heat stoke does occur, you’ll notice symptoms such as your pet struggling to breath, weakness, dizziness or poor coordination. If the condition is severe convulsions and death may also occur. (Magnus, 2006). It is recommended that you spray your pet with lukewarm water (not cold, that will send them into shock) and take them to a vet, where liquids can be administered, right away.

A lot can be told about a bunny by their appearance. A healthy bunny has a smooth, shiny, soft coat. The fur shouldn’t be patchy or spotty. (Unless they are shedding in which case they will temporarily have little tuffs of fur here and there. It’s quite cute, but you can use a soft bristled bunny brush to help them get that excess fur off for the summer. Brushing your bunny will also help to keep the hair from getting all over your house!) Your bunny’s ears should generally be peaked, alert, and clean from discharge, spotting, or scabbing. The eyes should be bright and clear, and the nose twitching gently. Feet should be clean without inflammation and claws should be neat and trimmed when necessary. (RSPCA, 2004). If one of these things is missing, you might want to check your rabbit out for any further signs of illness. If in doubt, always seek veterinary assistance immediately.

While is in not an all inclusive list, they are things to watch out for and fairly common illnesses in bunnies. Additionally, you probably noticed that many of the symptoms are the same or similar, so you’ll know what kind of things to watch out for in general. Keep a close eye on your rabbit’s behavior and attitude. They should be happy and curious instead of lethargic and indifferent. Changes in mannerism and behaviors can signify a problem, so make sure you keep an eye on it and call your veterinary with any questions or concerns. Your pet cannot speak for themselves, so you have to advocate for them. Be alert and aware of your pet’s health so that they can live a happy, healthy, and long life.

References:

Taylor, D. (1999). Rabbits. Harper Collins Publishers. Hammersmith, London, UK.

Magnus, E. (2006). Keeping a Rabbit. McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.

RSPCA. (2004). Care for Your Rabbit. Harper Collins Publishers. Hammersmith, London, UK.

**A special thanks to my vet for all their help and their wonderful work with pets!