Pet Habitat South Africa

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02 Jun 2014

Know Your Rabbit Health

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Rabbits | Pet Care

Pets make a delightful addition to many families. But, furry friends, just like their human counterparts need daily care and a bit of affection too. It applies to rabbits as much as it does for some of the more persistent pets (did anyone say puppies?). Fortunately, bunnies tend to exercise themselves, given enough room to run, which takes that strain off owners who are not keen for a nightly walk. But, they do require veterinary care and immediate attention if they become ill or contract a disease. However, rabbits do not tend to let their owners know when they are suffering – you’ve just got to be alert. Not sure what you are looking for or need to know?

Illnesses Requiring Annual Vaccinations

Myxomatosis

What Is It? Myxomatosis is an extremely fatal virus. Most rabbits are unable to recover once they contract this disease. It is spread through biting insects like mosquitoes and fleas. Occasionally it is also spread through direct contact with an infected rabbit. Once contracted, rabbits usually have less than two weeks before they pass away; however as this is incredibly painful, euthanasia is often recommended.

What Are the Symptoms? This disease usually presents itself first around the face as a swelling. Swollen or sleepy looking eyes are often telling signs, usually followed by puffiness around the ears and mouth. Swelling will then move through the body to the anus and genitals. Swelling can cause blindness and extreme discomfort when eating or drinking. Myxomatosis usually causes excessive fevers and high temperatures.

What Can You Do? Annual vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent the awful effects of this devastating disease as it can affect both house rabbits and their wild counterparts. Additionally, maintaining a clean hutch, which is free from damp will detract large populations of biting insects.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)

What Is It? RHD is another virus which can be spread by biting insects; however, it is much more contagious than Myxomatosis and can be transported through other means. This certainly includes contact with other rabbits, but it can also be transported on clothing and shoes. If you pet an infected rabbit and then your own, you could easily transfer this virus to your pet.

What Are the Symptoms? The symptoms of RHD are not as easy to spot. This virus tends to attack the internal organs, which means that you would need to know your rabbit’s behaviours terrifically well to notice that something is wrong. The most obvious symptom is an extremely high temperature which is a rabbit’s natural reaction to liver failure and internal bleeding – exactly what this disease causes.

What Can You Do? Again, the best solution to this condition is prevention. Immunisations are available, and rabbits should receive them annually. Fortunately, there is now a combined injection that combats Myxomatosis and RHD in one single dose. Owners are also advised to limit contact between their rabbits and any others.

Other Serious Infections

E.cuniculi

What Is It? This is a parasite that can cause death. However, it can also be treated if caught quickly enough, but not all rabbits will demonstrate illness. This parasite is transferred through spores passed on through urine. E.cuniculi causes kidney diseases, eye diseases, tremors and even paralysis before becoming fatal.

What Are the Symptoms? Unfortunately, not all rabbits show symptoms of E.cuniculi infestations. Rabbits may have it, and pass it on to others without showing the slightest sign of illness or discomfort. Look for joint stiffness as a precursor to paralysis, uncontrollable twitching for tremors and take a close look at your rabbits’ eyes once a week to ensure they are bright and alert. Once you get to know your rabbit better, you will better understand if she is uncomfortable or acting out of sorts.

What Can You Do? As the parasite travels through urine, it is highly essential that you maintain separate eating and toileting areas within your rabbit hutch. Contaminated water is the easiest way to spread the disease. Because some animals will display no symptoms, owners are advised to keep their rabbits away from others where possible, and to introduce new pets after a period of quarantine. If your pet shows any symptoms, get her off to the vet for treatment as soon as possible.

Flystrike

What Is It? Flystrike is a common disease, which can be fatal. Treatment is available, though this does depend on how far the disease has developed. Flystrike usually occurs during warm weather, when faeces or urine remain in rabbit fur after relieving themselves. Soiled bums become a terrific hiding space for flies who lay their eggs in this area. As the eggs hatch, maggots eat away at the surrounding flesh, and even into your pet’s interior organs. Left untreated, they can reach the abdomen, causing death.

What Are the Symptoms? The symptoms of Flystrike become obvious when the eggs hatch into maggots which crawl around your rabbit’s rear end. More careful observation will reveal the eggs themselves. Infected rabbits may have patchy fur, mottled skin and appear to be in pain when moving, or relieving themselves.

What Can You Do? Prevention is the best way to ensure that your rabbit does not suffer the pain of this disease. Ensure that soiled bedding is cleared as soon as possible and replaced with dry hay. Check the fur around your rabbit’s rear end at morning and night, cleaning it off if necessary to remove the temptation of flies to create a nest. Feeding your rabbit plenty of timothy hay will keep digestion working smoothly which means faeces is properly excreted. And, see your vet immediately if you suspect Flystrike, or your rabbits show any obvious symptoms.

In addition to these major concerns, rabbits may also experience the same pain and discomfort that humans do when battling fleas, mites, ticks and lice. And, rabbits have a lot more fur for these creatures to hide in than humans. It is essential to check your rabbits’ fur carefully, especially when the weather is warmer – and to clean their living areas. After all, it is much easier to prevent disease than it is to watch your beautiful bunny suffer.