Care of Rabbits (page 2)
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Continued from Rabbit Care Page 1
Non-Infectious Conditions Requiring Veterinary Attention
Hairballs: Like cats, rabbits (especially Angora rabbits) frequently develop hairballs within their
stomach. But unlike cats, rabbits cannot vomit. As a result, hair that is swallowed from frequent grooming
passes into the stomach and remains there. Over time, the hair develops into a solid mass. As the hairball
increases in size, it begins to occupy more and more of the stomach, leaving less room for food. Initial
signs of a hairball problem include reluctance to eat pellets and more interest in eating greens and treat
items. Later signs include inappetence, smaller fecal pellets or none passed at all, weakness, weight loss
and, eventually, death from starvation.
Surgery is sometimes necessary to remove the hairball from the stomach. Some cases can be
successfully managed more conservatively with judicious use of fresh pineapple or papaya products and
intestinal lubricants. For this reason, conservative treatment is usually attempted before resorting to
surgical intervention. Recurrences are common.
Prevention involves vigorous daily brushing of the rabbit and daily use of intestinal lubricants
formulated for cats. Many rabbit fanciers and veterinarians believe that feeding fresh (not canned)
pineapple juice, pineapple chunks and papaya, which contain the digestive enzyme papain, may help
prevent stomach hairballs in rabbits. The suggested daily dosage of pineapple juice is ½ teaspoon per 2
pounds body weight. A suitable alternative to this is pina colada yogurt at the same dosage and frequency.
Hutch Sores (“Sore Hocks”): Hutch sores are chronically ulcerated and infected wounds on the weight-
bearing surfaces of the rear (and sometimes the front) paws. They are caused by a number of
predisposing factors including reduced thickness of fur on the bottoms of the feet, continued thumping of
the rear feet when frightened, excessive body weight, repeated or continual urine-soiling of feet, lack of
movement from living in a small enclosure, and abrasions from irregular cage flooring. Hutch sores can
occur in rabbits housed on solid floors, but are more common in rabbits kept in enclosures with wire floors.
Pet rabbits that are housed indoors or outdoors should be confined in roomy wire cages with Plexiglass
covering about one half of the floor’s surface area.
Hutch sores are treated with antibiotics (both topically and by injection) and periodic bandaging of the
affected feet. Treatment is usually long-term and also requires identification and correction of the
underlying causes. Hutch sores must be treated aggressively to prevent infection of deeper soft tissues
and bone.
Overgrown Incisor Teeth: Malocclusion (improperly aligned teeth resulting in abnormal tooth growth
and wear) in rabbits usually results in overgrown incisor (front) teeth. Occasionally, misdirected premolar
and molar teeth are noted. Many rabbits with a malocclusion probably have a genetic deficiency that
causes an abnormally short upper jaw. This structural defect prevents the continuously growing upper and
lower incisors from meeting each other as the rabbit chews. Consequently, the overgrown incisors cause
considerable trauma to the tongue and lining of the mouth. A rabbit’s “bite” must be absolutely perfect so
that its continuously growing teeth wear down properly.
Infections of the jawbone in the area of the incisors can also result in misalignment of these teeth.
Many cases of overgrown incisors result from previous injury to the area of the jaw responsible for growth
of the incisors, with subsequent uneven tooth growth.
Initial signs of this disorder include failure to properly chew and swallow food, salivation and a wet
dewlap. Inappetence and weight loss soon become noticeable. Death from starvation can occur if the
problem goes untreated.
Treatment involves periodic clipping of the incisors and attention to any wounds within the mouth
caused by the overgrown teeth. The clipping procedure should be carried out by an experienced
veterinarian or veterinary technician and must be done periodically for the remainder of the rabbit’s life.
Rabbits with this condition should never, under any circumstances, be bred.
Overgrown Claws: Overgrown claws are easily torn when caught in fabric or wire mesh. A panicked
rabbit can also inflict painful scratches with them. Clipping claws requires experience and judicious
restraint of the rabbit, and should be done as needed. Declawing of rabbits is NOT recommended.
Heat Stress (Heat Stroke): Rabbits are especially susceptible to heat stroke, particularly those that
are overweight and/or heavily furred. Environmental temperatures above 85F, high humidity (above 70%),
inadequate shade and ventilation, crowding and other forms of stress are additional predisposing factors.
Signs of heat stroke include panting, salivation, ear reddening, weakness, refusal to move, delirium,
convulsions and, eventually, death. Heat stroke can be successfully treated if recognized early. Heat-
stressed rabbits should either be sprayed or bathed with cool water. Another very effective way to rapidly
lower the body temperature involves applying cold running water to the ear flaps. Once these first aid
measures are undertaken, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
Prevention of heat stroke involves providing adequate shade from the sun (if the rabbit is housed
outdoors) and ventilation (if the rabbit is housed indoors or with many other rabbits). A continuous light
mist or spray of water and/or a fan operating over a container of ice and directed at a rabbit within its
enclosure can help lower the air temperature, whether the rabbit is housed indoors or outdoors.
Trauma to the Spine: An interesting fact is that a rabbit’s entire skeleton comprises only 8% of its total
body weight. In comparison, a domestic cat’s skeleton comprises 13% of its body weight. The rabbit’s
fragile lumbar spine (lower back) is surrounded by powerful muscles and is particularly susceptible to
fracture. Back injuries most often occur when rabbits are dropped, or improperly picked up or restrained.
Closely confined rabbits that become excited and thrash about excessively are very prone to back injuries.
Signs of back injury may include incoordination, urine-soiling and uncontrolled defecation. Paralysis of
the rear quarters is the most serious consequence of this type of injury. Any rabbit exhibiting any of these
signs should be examined by a veterinarian at once. A thorough physical examination and radiographs (x-
rays) are usually necessary to make the diagnosis and predict the eventual medical outcome. Spinal
injuries are considered very serious and, generally speaking, the outcome is often unfavorable.
To avoid injury, rabbits should be picked up and restrained very carefully. A panicked, struggling rabbit
should never be forcefully restrained. Instead, such a rabbit should be immediately released and
reapproached when it has calmed down.
Uterine Cancer: The most common tumor of domestic rabbits involves the uterine lining. In breeding
rabbits, the early signs of this tumor involve decreased fertility, smaller litter sizes, abortions and
stillbirths. In pet rabbits, the most common clinical sign of a uterine tumor is intermittent bleeding from the
vulva. This vulvar bleeding is often mistaken for blood in the urine. The volume of hemorrhage can be
substantial and alarming. If bleeding is intermittent, the results of a urinalysis may be normal between
bleeding episodes.
Though this type of tumor can spread to the lungs, spaying of the affected doe is strongly advised.
Because this type of tumor is so common, all pet female rabbits should be spayed after 5-6 months of age
to avoid difficulties with the reproductive tract later in life.
Wryneck: Wryneck, a serious problem in pet rabbits, is a mild to severe twisting of the head that
causes incoordination and sometimes total incapacitation. Wryneck is most often the result of a bacterial
infection of the inner ear and is not a true neck problem. It an be treated with antibiotics and anti-
inflammatory drugs, but the outlook with these cases is always guarded.
Unfortunately, wryneck often results from Abscessation of the inner ear (and sometimes the brain).
Penetration of antibiotics into the diseased area is often restricted or impossible, resulting in mild
improvement, temporary relief, or no improvement at all.
Temporary Selective Anorexia: Some pet rabbits occasionally refuse to eat alfalfa pellets. Affected
rabbits usually continue to eat other items in their diets. This condition occurs most often in response to
stress, such as that associated with inadequate husbandry or sudden environmental changes. Affected
rabbits may continue to refuse to eat pellets for weeks. Old or spoiled pellets will also be steadfastly
refused.
This condition is diagnosed indirectly. Physical examination of the rabbit reveals nothing abnormal and
laboratory tests on blood samples are normal. Other causes of inappetence must also be ruled out, such
as hairball formation.
Poisoning and Other Hazards: Pet rabbits are often allowed the “run of the house.” However, rabbits
love to chew and often get into trouble by chewing on electrical cords, poisonous houseplants, floor mats
and rugs. Electrocution, serious burns, poisoning and intestinal impaction are the most frequent
consequences of such chewing.
Rabbits should be confined when their owners are away from the house and must be closely
supervised when their owners are at home so that these accidents are avoided.
Use of Antibiotics in Rabbits
Antibiotics should never be used in rabbits unless they are specifically prescribed by a veterinarian.
The route of administration (oral versus injectable) of antibiotics is a much more important consideration
with rabbits than with dogs and cats. Because rabbits are herbivorous (plant-eating) and depend upon
bacteria within their bowel for proper digestion, antibiotics given by mouth can wipe out these beneficial
bowel microorganisms. When these helpful and necessary bacteria are destroyed, undesirable bacteria
can overgrow and produce poisons within the bowel that can kill the rabbit. When needed, injectable
antibiotics are preferred because they are far less injurious to the bacteria within the intestinal tract.
Rabbits receiving antibiotics, especially oral antibiotics, should be given yogurt to help replenish those
beneficial bacteria destroyed by the antibiotic. Yogurt (pina colada or orange flavored is preferred) should
be given during the course of antibiotic therapy and for at least 3 days after antibiotic use has been
stopped. A suitable alternative is to add powdered Lactobacillus or Acidophilus product, plus Tang orange
drink mix to the drinking water. Rabbits seem to prefer the flavor of orange and will be unaware that they
are also drinking a large volume of favorable and desirable bacteria that may help their intestinal tract.
Yogurt should be included in the usual diet in anticipation of future antibiotic use.
Sensitivity of the Rabbit’s Intestinal Tract
The bacterial populations in a rabbit’s intestinal tract are considered the most delicately balanced of
any in all herbivorous mammals. The growth and activity of normal (favorable) bacteria tend to keep
potentially harmful bacteria in check. Overgrowth of harmful bacteria usually results in production of toxins
that are rapidly absorbed into the rabbit’s circulation, quickly causing illness and death.
In addition to orally administered antibiotics, other insults can disturb the balance of bacteria. Rapid
changes in the diet are most often implicated. For example, a rabbit’s diet was suddenly changed from
alfalfa pellets to oats because the pet owner had run out of rabbit pellets. The rabbit died within 24 hours
of this diet change. Another case of sudden death involved a pet rabbit that ate a large quantity of
oatmeal cereal and died the following day. A third rabbit was allowed to consume huge quantities of lawn
grass. Its intestinal tract was not adequately prepared and the rabbit died the same day.
No other commonly kept house pet is as sensitive to dietary changes as the rabbit. Consequently,
such changes should be made very gradually. Supplements to the regular diet should be added cautiously
and should not constitute more than 20% of the total diet by volume.
The Appearance of Rabbit Urine
Urine from normal rabbits usually contains large amounts of a light-colored sediment and may appear
abnormal to the uninitiated. The color of normal rabbit urine varies from white, to yellowish-white, to light
brown. Rabbits that drink large quantities of water tend to produce clearer urine containing less sediment.
Rabbits recently treated with antibiotics and those undergoing significant stress may temporarily
produce urine that is orange or red-tinged. Such urine can be differentiated from that which accompanies
urinary tract infections or uterine bleeding by use of a urinalysis, performed by a veterinarian.
Milk Formulas for Orphaned Bunnies
1 egg yolk
8 oz. (240 cc) canned evaporated milk
8 oz. (240 cc) bottled water
1 teaspoon (5 cc) honey
1 teaspoon (5 cc) pediatric vitamin/mineral supplement
OR
1 can Esbilac (Borden)
1 raw egg (white and yolk)
1 tablespoon (15 cc) Neogalglucon or similar liquid calcium supplement
Important Physiologic Values
Normal body temperature: 101.5-103F
Life Span: 5-10 years (rarely up to 15 years)
Breeding Age (Males): 6-10 months
Breeding Age (Females): 5-9 months
Pregnancy: 29-35 days
Litter Size: 4-10
Weaning Age: 4-6 weeks
For More Information:
Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society
P.O. Box 390691
Edina, MN 55439
www.mnhouserabbit.org
MNHouseRabbit@aol.com
651-768-9755
House Rabbit Society
www.rabbit.org
American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 426
Bloomington, IL 61702
309-664-7500
ARBAPOST@aol.com
Hairballs: Like cats, rabbits (especially Angora rabbits) frequently develop hairballs within their
stomach. But unlike cats, rabbits cannot vomit. As a result, hair that is swallowed from frequent grooming
passes into the stomach and remains there. Over time, the hair develops into a solid mass. As the hairball
increases in size, it begins to occupy more and more of the stomach, leaving less room for food. Initial
signs of a hairball problem include reluctance to eat pellets and more interest in eating greens and treat
items. Later signs include inappetence, smaller fecal pellets or none passed at all, weakness, weight loss
and, eventually, death from starvation.
Surgery is sometimes necessary to remove the hairball from the stomach. Some cases can be
successfully managed more conservatively with judicious use of fresh pineapple or papaya products and
intestinal lubricants. For this reason, conservative treatment is usually attempted before resorting to
surgical intervention. Recurrences are common.
Prevention involves vigorous daily brushing of the rabbit and daily use of intestinal lubricants
formulated for cats. Many rabbit fanciers and veterinarians believe that feeding fresh (not canned)
pineapple juice, pineapple chunks and papaya, which contain the digestive enzyme papain, may help
prevent stomach hairballs in rabbits. The suggested daily dosage of pineapple juice is ½ teaspoon per 2
pounds body weight. A suitable alternative to this is pina colada yogurt at the same dosage and frequency.
Hutch Sores (“Sore Hocks”): Hutch sores are chronically ulcerated and infected wounds on the weight-
bearing surfaces of the rear (and sometimes the front) paws. They are caused by a number of
predisposing factors including reduced thickness of fur on the bottoms of the feet, continued thumping of
the rear feet when frightened, excessive body weight, repeated or continual urine-soiling of feet, lack of
movement from living in a small enclosure, and abrasions from irregular cage flooring. Hutch sores can
occur in rabbits housed on solid floors, but are more common in rabbits kept in enclosures with wire floors.
Pet rabbits that are housed indoors or outdoors should be confined in roomy wire cages with Plexiglass
covering about one half of the floor’s surface area.
Hutch sores are treated with antibiotics (both topically and by injection) and periodic bandaging of the
affected feet. Treatment is usually long-term and also requires identification and correction of the
underlying causes. Hutch sores must be treated aggressively to prevent infection of deeper soft tissues
and bone.
Overgrown Incisor Teeth: Malocclusion (improperly aligned teeth resulting in abnormal tooth growth
and wear) in rabbits usually results in overgrown incisor (front) teeth. Occasionally, misdirected premolar
and molar teeth are noted. Many rabbits with a malocclusion probably have a genetic deficiency that
causes an abnormally short upper jaw. This structural defect prevents the continuously growing upper and
lower incisors from meeting each other as the rabbit chews. Consequently, the overgrown incisors cause
considerable trauma to the tongue and lining of the mouth. A rabbit’s “bite” must be absolutely perfect so
that its continuously growing teeth wear down properly.
Infections of the jawbone in the area of the incisors can also result in misalignment of these teeth.
Many cases of overgrown incisors result from previous injury to the area of the jaw responsible for growth
of the incisors, with subsequent uneven tooth growth.
Initial signs of this disorder include failure to properly chew and swallow food, salivation and a wet
dewlap. Inappetence and weight loss soon become noticeable. Death from starvation can occur if the
problem goes untreated.
Treatment involves periodic clipping of the incisors and attention to any wounds within the mouth
caused by the overgrown teeth. The clipping procedure should be carried out by an experienced
veterinarian or veterinary technician and must be done periodically for the remainder of the rabbit’s life.
Rabbits with this condition should never, under any circumstances, be bred.
Overgrown Claws: Overgrown claws are easily torn when caught in fabric or wire mesh. A panicked
rabbit can also inflict painful scratches with them. Clipping claws requires experience and judicious
restraint of the rabbit, and should be done as needed. Declawing of rabbits is NOT recommended.
Heat Stress (Heat Stroke): Rabbits are especially susceptible to heat stroke, particularly those that
are overweight and/or heavily furred. Environmental temperatures above 85F, high humidity (above 70%),
inadequate shade and ventilation, crowding and other forms of stress are additional predisposing factors.
Signs of heat stroke include panting, salivation, ear reddening, weakness, refusal to move, delirium,
convulsions and, eventually, death. Heat stroke can be successfully treated if recognized early. Heat-
stressed rabbits should either be sprayed or bathed with cool water. Another very effective way to rapidly
lower the body temperature involves applying cold running water to the ear flaps. Once these first aid
measures are undertaken, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
Prevention of heat stroke involves providing adequate shade from the sun (if the rabbit is housed
outdoors) and ventilation (if the rabbit is housed indoors or with many other rabbits). A continuous light
mist or spray of water and/or a fan operating over a container of ice and directed at a rabbit within its
enclosure can help lower the air temperature, whether the rabbit is housed indoors or outdoors.
Trauma to the Spine: An interesting fact is that a rabbit’s entire skeleton comprises only 8% of its total
body weight. In comparison, a domestic cat’s skeleton comprises 13% of its body weight. The rabbit’s
fragile lumbar spine (lower back) is surrounded by powerful muscles and is particularly susceptible to
fracture. Back injuries most often occur when rabbits are dropped, or improperly picked up or restrained.
Closely confined rabbits that become excited and thrash about excessively are very prone to back injuries.
Signs of back injury may include incoordination, urine-soiling and uncontrolled defecation. Paralysis of
the rear quarters is the most serious consequence of this type of injury. Any rabbit exhibiting any of these
signs should be examined by a veterinarian at once. A thorough physical examination and radiographs (x-
rays) are usually necessary to make the diagnosis and predict the eventual medical outcome. Spinal
injuries are considered very serious and, generally speaking, the outcome is often unfavorable.
To avoid injury, rabbits should be picked up and restrained very carefully. A panicked, struggling rabbit
should never be forcefully restrained. Instead, such a rabbit should be immediately released and
reapproached when it has calmed down.
Uterine Cancer: The most common tumor of domestic rabbits involves the uterine lining. In breeding
rabbits, the early signs of this tumor involve decreased fertility, smaller litter sizes, abortions and
stillbirths. In pet rabbits, the most common clinical sign of a uterine tumor is intermittent bleeding from the
vulva. This vulvar bleeding is often mistaken for blood in the urine. The volume of hemorrhage can be
substantial and alarming. If bleeding is intermittent, the results of a urinalysis may be normal between
bleeding episodes.
Though this type of tumor can spread to the lungs, spaying of the affected doe is strongly advised.
Because this type of tumor is so common, all pet female rabbits should be spayed after 5-6 months of age
to avoid difficulties with the reproductive tract later in life.
Wryneck: Wryneck, a serious problem in pet rabbits, is a mild to severe twisting of the head that
causes incoordination and sometimes total incapacitation. Wryneck is most often the result of a bacterial
infection of the inner ear and is not a true neck problem. It an be treated with antibiotics and anti-
inflammatory drugs, but the outlook with these cases is always guarded.
Unfortunately, wryneck often results from Abscessation of the inner ear (and sometimes the brain).
Penetration of antibiotics into the diseased area is often restricted or impossible, resulting in mild
improvement, temporary relief, or no improvement at all.
Temporary Selective Anorexia: Some pet rabbits occasionally refuse to eat alfalfa pellets. Affected
rabbits usually continue to eat other items in their diets. This condition occurs most often in response to
stress, such as that associated with inadequate husbandry or sudden environmental changes. Affected
rabbits may continue to refuse to eat pellets for weeks. Old or spoiled pellets will also be steadfastly
refused.
This condition is diagnosed indirectly. Physical examination of the rabbit reveals nothing abnormal and
laboratory tests on blood samples are normal. Other causes of inappetence must also be ruled out, such
as hairball formation.
Poisoning and Other Hazards: Pet rabbits are often allowed the “run of the house.” However, rabbits
love to chew and often get into trouble by chewing on electrical cords, poisonous houseplants, floor mats
and rugs. Electrocution, serious burns, poisoning and intestinal impaction are the most frequent
consequences of such chewing.
Rabbits should be confined when their owners are away from the house and must be closely
supervised when their owners are at home so that these accidents are avoided.
Use of Antibiotics in Rabbits
Antibiotics should never be used in rabbits unless they are specifically prescribed by a veterinarian.
The route of administration (oral versus injectable) of antibiotics is a much more important consideration
with rabbits than with dogs and cats. Because rabbits are herbivorous (plant-eating) and depend upon
bacteria within their bowel for proper digestion, antibiotics given by mouth can wipe out these beneficial
bowel microorganisms. When these helpful and necessary bacteria are destroyed, undesirable bacteria
can overgrow and produce poisons within the bowel that can kill the rabbit. When needed, injectable
antibiotics are preferred because they are far less injurious to the bacteria within the intestinal tract.
Rabbits receiving antibiotics, especially oral antibiotics, should be given yogurt to help replenish those
beneficial bacteria destroyed by the antibiotic. Yogurt (pina colada or orange flavored is preferred) should
be given during the course of antibiotic therapy and for at least 3 days after antibiotic use has been
stopped. A suitable alternative is to add powdered Lactobacillus or Acidophilus product, plus Tang orange
drink mix to the drinking water. Rabbits seem to prefer the flavor of orange and will be unaware that they
are also drinking a large volume of favorable and desirable bacteria that may help their intestinal tract.
Yogurt should be included in the usual diet in anticipation of future antibiotic use.
Sensitivity of the Rabbit’s Intestinal Tract
The bacterial populations in a rabbit’s intestinal tract are considered the most delicately balanced of
any in all herbivorous mammals. The growth and activity of normal (favorable) bacteria tend to keep
potentially harmful bacteria in check. Overgrowth of harmful bacteria usually results in production of toxins
that are rapidly absorbed into the rabbit’s circulation, quickly causing illness and death.
In addition to orally administered antibiotics, other insults can disturb the balance of bacteria. Rapid
changes in the diet are most often implicated. For example, a rabbit’s diet was suddenly changed from
alfalfa pellets to oats because the pet owner had run out of rabbit pellets. The rabbit died within 24 hours
of this diet change. Another case of sudden death involved a pet rabbit that ate a large quantity of
oatmeal cereal and died the following day. A third rabbit was allowed to consume huge quantities of lawn
grass. Its intestinal tract was not adequately prepared and the rabbit died the same day.
No other commonly kept house pet is as sensitive to dietary changes as the rabbit. Consequently,
such changes should be made very gradually. Supplements to the regular diet should be added cautiously
and should not constitute more than 20% of the total diet by volume.
The Appearance of Rabbit Urine
Urine from normal rabbits usually contains large amounts of a light-colored sediment and may appear
abnormal to the uninitiated. The color of normal rabbit urine varies from white, to yellowish-white, to light
brown. Rabbits that drink large quantities of water tend to produce clearer urine containing less sediment.
Rabbits recently treated with antibiotics and those undergoing significant stress may temporarily
produce urine that is orange or red-tinged. Such urine can be differentiated from that which accompanies
urinary tract infections or uterine bleeding by use of a urinalysis, performed by a veterinarian.
Milk Formulas for Orphaned Bunnies
1 egg yolk
8 oz. (240 cc) canned evaporated milk
8 oz. (240 cc) bottled water
1 teaspoon (5 cc) honey
1 teaspoon (5 cc) pediatric vitamin/mineral supplement
OR
1 can Esbilac (Borden)
1 raw egg (white and yolk)
1 tablespoon (15 cc) Neogalglucon or similar liquid calcium supplement
Important Physiologic Values
Normal body temperature: 101.5-103F
Life Span: 5-10 years (rarely up to 15 years)
Breeding Age (Males): 6-10 months
Breeding Age (Females): 5-9 months
Pregnancy: 29-35 days
Litter Size: 4-10
Weaning Age: 4-6 weeks
For More Information:
Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society
P.O. Box 390691
Edina, MN 55439
www.mnhouserabbit.org
MNHouseRabbit@aol.com
651-768-9755
House Rabbit Society
www.rabbit.org
American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 426
Bloomington, IL 61702
309-664-7500
ARBAPOST@aol.com