Things To Watch Out For
Like all animals, rabbits can get sick and injured. Here is a small list of things that all bunny owners should know so that they can better recognize and identify certain and common things found in rabbits.
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Ear Mites
-Ear mites are found in a rabbits ear. They appear to be a brown crusty, scabby substance and can cause your rabbit great deal of discomfort. This crusty substance should not be pulled out or touched. Some other symptoms of ear mites can include the shaking of the head and intense scratching. There are some ways to treat rabbits with ear mites one being Ivermectin. Ivermectin is a common treatment used, so be sure to talk to your veterinarian for advice regarding dosage and frequency of treatment. Other treatments such as Mineral oil is another way to treat ear mites; giving your rabbit a drop or two in each ear, once a month. Undoubtedly the best thing to do is to consult your rabbit-savvy veterinarian about treatment.
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Obesity
-It's always cute to watch your bunny eat and "ask" for food, but this can have a great affect on your rabbits ability to function normally and live it's life to the fullest... To many times the common house rabbit becomes overweight or obese. Sure they look cute, but this can cause the rabbit to have many problems such as, difficulty grooming, soiling around the bottom, flystrike, heart disease, cystitis and other urinary tract problems, arthritis, diabetes and fatty liver. Some of the causes that lead a rabbit to become obese is, lack of exercise, under-sized living space, diets too high in starch and low in fibre, and the fact that rabbits have a sweet-tooth, are all contributing factors to rabbit obesity.
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Heat Stroke
-Sadly, rabbits with heat stroke may be overlooked, resulting in many deaths every year. The rabbits most at risk for Heat Stroke are the larger breeds, obese rabbits and those which suffer from epilepsy. Truth be told, any rabbit left in full sunlight with inadequate shade, or in a poorly ventilated hutch can be affected. The signs of heat stroke are often not very specific, but tend to include panting, puffing, lethargy or collapse. Using a cold wet towel or a fan can typically help rabbits in the hot weather.
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Malocclusions (misalignment)
-The incisors is a noticeable problem. Sometimes the veterinarian may suggest that a rabbit’s front teeth be extracted. The 2 top front teeth don't line up and can make it very hard for the rabbit to eat... It is important to know that if your rabbit has Malocclusion, you need to be aware that your rabbit may need regular dental treatment throughout their lives, and this needs to be factored into the cost of keeping them. You can get them trimmed, taken out, or just hope for the best. Always consult your vet first.
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Overgrown Nails
-Check your rabbits nails regularly to ensure that they are not overgrown, so that your rabbit can exercise and groom comfortably.
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Runny Eyes
-The main reason rabbits develop runny eyes is because their tear ducts are blocked. Although you may not always see runny eyes, or eyes with discharge around them, it is important to check the inside of your rabbit’s front legs and paws – if these are wet or show signs of crusting then your rabbit may have runny eyes but because they clean their faces with their paws, their faces may be perfectly clean. The two most common reasons for runny eyes are overgrown incisor teeth or an infection that has blocked the tear ducts. Rabbits with runny eyes do need to be seen by a vet.
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*This information was found on trusted websites that are here for your disposal! If you would like to know more about different rabbit diseases I would encourage you to look up some cites and read peoples experiences and/or advise as to help prevent it from happening more! *There is also many Facebook groups that can help you with any of your questions and/or concerns of your rabbit if it wasn't found here!*
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-Citation-
Common Rabbit Diseases | Darwin Veterinary Centre, Biggin Hill. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2017.
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"Dental Disorders in Rabbits." House Rabbit Society. N.p., 08 Dec. 2015. Web. 14 July 2017.