 Looking after your bunny is a very special responsibility. Whether you have a fluffy one, giant one, dwarf one, lop-eared one, or crossbred one, all rabbits require special care for good health. You need to provide a proper diet, groom regularly and have veterinary check-ups for vaccinations and advice on medications, many of which can be toxic to rabbits. |
Diet Top
A correct amount of fibre in your rabbit’s diet is crucial to minimise problems such as diarrhoea, hairballs and bladder stones.
- Diarrhoea is often seen in rabbits and can be due to a number of factors, such as coccidia (protozoan parasites) or the incorrect usage of antibiotics. Rabbits eating a diet that is too high in carbohydrates (pellets or lucerne hay) are more prone to develop intestinal problems than rabbits eating a high fibre (grass hay) diet. Mucoid enteritis (diarrhoea containing mucous) is a special problem seen in young rabbits that can be fatal. Feeding adequate hay in the diet can prevent this - fresh grass and hay (meadow or grass hay) should be available at all times.
- Hairballs can cause intestinal obstructions if they don’t pass from the stomach into the intestines. Feeding a diet high in fibre (hay) is needed for healthy gut function and will help prevent this problem.
- Bladder stones can occur in rabbits, like in many other pets. Signs include frequent urination, straining to urinate and blood in the urine (red urine). The stones may be felt on examination by your vet, or seen on X-ray. Treatment involves surgical removal. As this is a serious problem, preventing the disease is crucial. Diets high in pellets may contribute to stone formation and should be changed to one that is lower in pellets and higher in hay.
Grooming Top
Apart from enjoying a good brush, grooming your rabbit regularly is important to its health and well being.
Periodic nail trimming is required to prevent harm to you and your family, as well as to other pets. Rabbits have sharp nails and can easily scratch when they kick out their back feet, often quite forcefully. Have your vet show you the proper technique and remember to handle your rabbit properly during the procedure.
Regular brushing, especially of longhaired breeds, is important to remove excess dead hair and prevent your rabbit from developing hairballs. Rabbits cannot vomit and hairballs are prone to cause intestinal obstructions.
Medications Top
Always consult your vet before using any medications on your rabbit. Some that are safe to use on other pets can be toxic to your rabbit. Some oral antibiotics are extremely toxic and fatal to your rabbit. Your vet is trained to know how to administer antibiotics correctly to rabbits. If your rabbit develops diarrhoea while being treated with any medication you should stop the medication and call your vet immediately.
Vaccination Top
All pet rabbits in Australia should now be vaccinated against rabbit calicivirus (RCD). The disease is almost always fatal and death occurs rapidly, within 12 – 18 hours, from respiratory and heart failure. There is no known treatment. Vaccination should be performed by your vet at 10 - 12 weeks of age. Only one dose is required at this time, then yearly boosters are required for continuing protection.
Rabbits and the law Top
Please note that keeping rabbits as pets is currently illegal in Queensland under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. There is a penalty for keeping a rabbit without a permit (maximum $30,000). A permit may be granted for research, public education or public display.
For further information on rabbits in Queensland phone freecall 1800 999 367 or see the NR&M website - http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/legislation/
Content Editor: Dr Julia Adams BVSc
Image of 'Harry' the Angora rabbit submitted by Grace.
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