Rabbit Awareness Week
During the week of June 26th this year, we celebrated Rabbit Awareness Week! Below are the subjects we covered to help you look after your little furry friend!
Gut Stasis
Gut stasis is one of the main reasons that rabbit’s are seen as an emergency. This is where the rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract either slows down or comes to a complete standstill.
It can be caused by dental problems, illness, not enough fibre in the diet, dehydration, toxins, foreign bodies, stress from loss of a partner, sudden change in diet, change in environment or transportation, extreme heat or cold or being around a predator. The primary cause needs to be identified while treating gut stasis.
Normally symptoms have a gradual onset. You may notice the rabbit eating slightly less, being less active and having fewer droppings. The symptoms will worsen until the rabbit stops eating altogether. As soon as you notice a change in your rabbit’s behaviour it is best to get them checked out by a vet.
Flystrike
Flystrike is the laying of eggs on the rabbit typically around the rear end, which then hatch into maggots which eat the flesh of the rabbit. This can occur when the rabbit has wet fur, faecal or caecotroph accumulation around the back end or mobility problems. These rabbits may benefit from regular treatment with insecticides or repellents e.g. Rearguard. These products MUST be designed for rabbits and not for other species. Check your rabbit twice daily, it only takes a couple of hours for the eggs to hatch into maggots. Remove dirty litter and bedding daily, if they use the garden to toilet then spot cleaning can be useful. If you own a long haired rabbit it is worth clipping around their bottom to help them stay clean.
Make sure rabbits are provided a shaded area with a nice breeze to keep them cool in the summer, with constant access to fresh, cool water. A wooden hutch in the sun can become very hot. They too can die from heatstroke! Signs include; weakness and lethargy, panting, warm/red ears, salivating, confusion and convulsions. You can freeze a semi-full water bottle and wrap it in a towel for the rabbits to lie against, do not give them ice cubes or frozen food!
Benefits of Hay
Unlimited, good-quality hay is the foundation of a healthy diet for pet rabbits. As well as essential nutrients it also helps to keep their teeth in order. Hay is high in fibre, has moderate protein, and trace minerals and is low in fat, starch and sugar. Rabbits’ teeth grow throughout their lives. The specific chewing action of grass and hay keeps their teeth worn naturally. If rabbits don’t eat enough hay then they can develop painful spurs on their teeth, these cut into your rabbit’s gums and tongue and cause pain and restrict their ability to eat.
When it comes to giving them greens try and vary what you give and only give a small portion of each plant. Keep in mind that fruits are high in sugar and should only be given as a treat every now and then. The same goes for carrots! Give them the leafy top but only the carrot occasionally. Visit RWAF list of recommended vegetables and herbs to see what is best for them.
Check out the Rabbit Welfare and Association Page
here for more information
Vaccinating your rabbit
There are three viral diseases of rabbits endemic in the UK which are fatal but can be vaccinated against, theses are Myxomatosis, Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease 1 and 2. Myxomatosis is spread partly by direct contact between rabbits but also by biting insects. This means it can spread to all rabbits even indoor ones. Rabbits can be vaccinated from 7 weeks of age and it takes 3 weeks for immunity to build up which lasts 1 year. RVHD 1 and 2 is spread by direct contact, but mainly by inanimate objects. This can also be vaccinated against yearly. Good biosecurity however is advised for additional protection; changing footwear after walking countryside areas with wild rabbits present, any foraged foods are from areas where no wild rabbits are present or above their reach. RVHD 2 is the dominant strain in the UK.
Neutering
Neutering can be carried out in males as soon as the testes are descended.
Females can be neutered from 16 weeks onwards, spaying a rabbit after 6-9 months becomes more complicated due to the amount of fat that surrounds the uterus. Neutering makes them happier, and healthier and enables them to live as bonded groups or pairs without unwanted pregnancies or aggression towards each other.
Mix sexed bonds are best but both rabbits need to be neutered. If the male is neutered but not the female she is still likely to have false pregnancies and become aggressive. She is also still at risk of early death from uterine cancer.
Unneutered males can urine spray and get cancer in their testes and prostate gland, they can also be aggressive. Unneutered females are at risk of uterine cancer, pyometra, phantom pregnancies or unwanted litters.
Get in touch today if you would like to book your rabbit in to be neutered.
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