Pet Habitat South Africa

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24 Jun 2014

Basic Healthcare For Rabbits

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Rabbits | Pet Care

Veterinarians claim that as many as 75% of the rabbits that they treat have signs of dental disease. Although rabbit teeth seem to have a mind of their own, you can take action that will avoid your pet becoming one of the statistics. Here a quick guide to rabbit health care – starting with their teeth.

Understanding Rabbit Health Concerns

Just like humans, rabbits are very susceptible to health issues caused by diet. Generally, these concerns are due to a lack of fibre in their diet. Primary concerns often show up first in rabbit teeth; these include:

Teeth that are not worn down – rabbits wear down their teeth when eating Timothy Hay and other grasses. The normal grinding motion of the cheek teeth when eating hay, such as Timothy, is crucial to oral health, as overgrown teeth may be painful – or even fatal if a rabbit can no longer eat properly.

Obesity is another issue; rabbits need a lot of digestible and indigestible fibre to remain at peak health. The bulk of this should come from Hay, which gives rabbits most of the nutrition they need and will never cause obesity.

There are also a few infectious diseases that affect rabbits. However, most of the common diseases can be prevented either through vaccination, or routine health checks. These include:

Myxomytosis – this fatal disease is spread by mosquitoes, fleas and other biting insects and affects the internal organs as the face and other areas swell. There is a combined vaccination available that protects against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease, although in South Africa it is not required

E. cuniculi – another potentially fatal disease that affects the kidneys and the brain. E. cuniculi is spread via infected urine.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease – There is no cure for this disease that causes internal bleeding (though, there is a vaccination

Fly strike – this develops when flies lay their eggs on a rabbit’s body (usually near the anus) in soiled fur. When the maggots hatch, they eat into the skin of the rabbit. It is very important to check your rabbit at least once a day to ensure they are clean and dry and any issues are addressed immediately.

What can you do to help?

There are a few things that you can do avoid all these issues – and provide the longest, happiest life for your rabbit.

A proper rabbit diet consists mainly of Hay, with a small amount of Excel Tasty Nuggets and fresh greens. Each of your rabbits should eat a pile as large as themselves every day. This hay does more than provide fibre; it also allows rabbits to grind their teeth for proper oral health.

Providing the right amounts of good quality hay has great behavioural benefits. Rabbits in the wild spend up to 70% of their awake time foraging for food. Replicating this behaviour with pet rabbits is essential to help prevent unwanted behaviours, such as fur plucking and aggression.

Rabbits require vaccinations against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease, except in South Africa. Your vet can advise you on how often you should return with your rabbit for injections.

Neutering your rabbit will also prevent certain cancers– as well as the thumpity thump of little rabbit feet.

Don’t forget that housing and rabbit runs should also be cleaned on a regular basis, and that rabbits need fresh water daily

Top tips to remember:

Ensure that your rabbit gets a pile of Timothy Hay as large as himself to eat every day. This super food will prevent obesity and goes a long way towards ensuring proper dental health.