Illnesses
You are responsible for the health of your Rabbit. Please make sure you have a qualified exotics vet experienced in treating Rabbits before you buy your Rabbit, not just any vet will do. Most vets are not trained in Rabbit care.

NEVER stand for a vet to just prescribe antibiotics of any sort with out probiotics!

You will no doubt know when your Rabbit is unwell. The irst sign you will notice is a change in their behaviour.

The warning signs:


Illnesses

Sore hooks (Bumblefoot)

Sore Hooks is caused by housing your Rabbit on a wire bottomed cage or soiled bedding. Use soft bedding like soft wood shavings on top of newspaper, you could use straw on top of the shavings.

Diarrhoea

If your Rabbit gets diarrhoea, make sure its bottom stays clean (use a damp flannel and rinse the bottom). Make sure you dry its bottom as a wet or soiled bottom will attract flies which will lay their eggs around your Rabbits bottom. This will lead to "Fly Strike". Although please note, Rabbits do have a soft poo that they usually eat to use the nutrients. If it is runny then see a vet immediatly as diarrhoea can be fatal.

Fly strike

Fly strike is caused by flies laying their eggs in or around the Rabbits bottom. These eggs will hatch into maggots in a very short period of time. The maggots will then eat their way into the Rabbit and eat it alive. The flys are attracted to damp fur, urine and poo. This is more common in the summer months. You can help prevent this by keeping cages and bottom's clean. We also have fly paper hanging near the cages.

Head Tilt

Head tilt is the sudden onset of the head being held over to one side. Its very common in Rabbits. Often referred to as wry neck. There are many reasons for a head tilt. It could be an infection of the middle and inner ear. It could be a stroke or even head trauma or maybe even a brain infection. If its a stroke the eyes will move quickly from side to side.

Stroke

Generally caused by a blood clot. The head will hang over to one side its eyes will be rolling from side to side. IMMEDIATE vet treatment needed.

Teeth Problems

Teeth problems can be caused by many different things. We believe Henry's teeth problems were caused by him being dropped on to his  face when he was young. Teeth problems can also be caused by bad diet. Hay is important to help naturally wear down their teeth and should be available at all times. Front teeth can be removed but this is not recommended as any operation brings a risk of them not waking up again. Your Rabbits teeth will need to be cut often if growing in an abnormal manner. Many people do not notice their Rabbits teeth are not growing correctly so the teeth can grow into the mouth or into the lips and face. It is more obvious when the teeth start growing outwards. This is why you must check your Rabbits teeth everyday.

















Abscess

An abscess is a puss filled swelling that can occur anywere on the body. An abscess is a bacterial infection, often caused by a bite or wound or tooth root infection. This can be treated by yourself. The abscess will need to be squeezed until all the puss is out and then cleaned with a mild TCP solution daily, until it has scabbed over and begins to heal by itself.

Heat Stroke

Rabbits are prone to heat stroke, they should not be left outside on a hot day. The cages should not be in direct sunlight. Protect them with an umbrella or canopy. If you witness your Rabbit laying unresponsive or having a seizure, take the Rabbit to the vets as he may need fluids.

Kidney Failure

This happens when the kidneys stop working and can happen suddenly or over a period of time. The symptoms are drinking large amounts of water. There may be urine scalding on the legs. The Rabbit will become lethargic and depressed. There is no cure. Older Rabbits are prone to this as part of old age.

Myxomotosis

Myxomatosis (myxi) is a virus which causes upper respiratory infections. Rabbits with myxomatosis get a runny nose, sticky eye discharge causing them to be unable to see, aswell as swelling around the head and face.
Insects including mosquitoes, ticks, mites, lice and fleas can all carry the disease. This means that even if your Rabbit doesn't come into contact with other Rabbits it is still important to vaccinate. Insect carriers mean the disease can be transmitted over distances and even indoor Rabbits are at risk. Treating a Rabbit with myxomatosis is very difficult, they need intensive care and often do not survive. A myxomatosis injection can be given from 6 weeks of age. Rabbits are vaccinated every 6 months if they are in a high risk area (kept in the garden) or every 12 months if they are house Rabbits.
After an injection, your Rabbit may develop a lump where this was done but it will go down eventually. The injection costs roughly £14 The myxi jab is not guaranteed to work but its your best defence.

Viral Haemorrhagic disease (VHD)

VHD is a nasty virus which is almost always fatal, there is also no cure. Infected Rabbits develop high temperatures, refuse to eat, bleed from the nose, have internal bleeding and are known to have seizures. VHD is spread by direct contact between Rabbits and from people who have touched other infected Rabbits, aswell as being passed on from birds insects and other rodents. Therefore both indoor and outdoor Rabbits are at risk. Vaccination is important and can be given from 12 weeks of age and needs to be boosted every year. The injection costs roughly £14. This injection will guarantee they do not get VHD

Worms

Worms can be seen in the droppings. Worms are easily treated by the vet with panacur.

Vents

Its proper name is Rabbit syphilis. The Rabbit does not show any obvious signs of being ill. The subtle signs of "vents" start with white spots and later crusty lesions on the genitals. It can be transferred to the lips and face when the Rabbit cleans itself. You are unlikely to come across this unless you are a Rabbit breeder. The Rabbits with vents should NOT be used for breeding as this will be passed onto the kits. It will not show until you breed from them though, so is best just not to bother breeding. Quarantine lasts 8 weeks after coming into contact with vents.
It can be treated with penicillin, the ONLY time this drug should be used on Rabbits. It is treated with 3 injections over a 3 week period. Some vets claim this cures vents whilst some believe it just masks the symptoms.

Uterine cancer

Uterine cancer is a common cause of death in female Rabbits, which can often spread to other organs before it is diagnosed. This can be prevented by spaying (neutering) and is best done when the Rabbit is between 5 months and 2 years of age. Neutering also means no un-wanted litters and no mood swings resulting in pairs of Rabbits getting along better.

DANGEROUS NEVER USE:

Clavamox - WARNING
Penicillin (Only when absolutely neccessary for treating vents) - WARNING

I am not a vet and i'm speaking only from my experience and advice of others.
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