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Introduction
Rabbit medicine & surgery has come a long way in the last few years. We as vets now recognise and treat a wide range of diseases keeping your pet happier and healthier for longer. The following is a synopsis of the common diseases seen and some of the things you can do to prevent them. It is not an exhaustive list and is only posted as a general guideline. If you think your rabbit is suffering from any disease no matter how minor then get it checked out.
The article finishes with a top tips list which if you follow we reckon could even double the life expectancy of you bunny!
Dental Disease
A preventable problem with the right diet see our articles on diet and dental care for more details.
Fly Strike
Relative common during the summer months, caused by blue bottles laying eggs which then hatch into maggots and feed on the rabbits flesh!(This is the worst disease I have treated.) Fly strike is a disease of neglect, prevented by cleaning hutches daily and looking for fly eggs. Rabbits can and should be treated with a prescription strength antiparasitic product.
Myxomatosis Virus
Runny, swollen eyes. Fever. 100% mortality in severe infections. Preventable by regular vaccine. See our alert which we post onto the homepage when an outbreak occurs. 2006 was a bad year for this condition.
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease
Severe respiratory illness, affected rabbits are usually found dead. Illness so acute vets rarely required. Preventable by regular vaccine.
Respiratory Disease
Rabbits are prone to chest infections and often suffer non-clinical pneumonia. Bacteria and stress are often implicated inn the cause of this set of diseases. Rabbits will have snuffles or breathing difficulties. Prevention is aimed at reducing stress and keeping environment clean. Can usually be treated with antibiotics.
Uterine Cancer
A very common disease of older female rabbits. Unfortunately quite malignant so prevention better than cure. Neuter rabbit at a young age to prevent disease.
Gut Stasis
Not a disease in itself but can be significant as a rabbit depends on its gut for energy. Any disease or extreme stress can cause it.
E. Cuniculi (Wry neck)
A parasitic infection that is believed to be present in approximately 50% of rabbits. Symptoms may never develop but frequently causes a head tilt and inability to stand upright due to disturbances in the balance centres of the brain. Can also cause kidney failure. Treatment is limited but aimed at eliminating the parasite and reducing inflammation in the brain with anti-inflammatories.
A new product is now licenced which may help to prevent the infection spreading. Panacur rabbit can be given every 3 mths and has been shown to reduce infection levels.
Top Tips
Naturally resulting from this list is a top tips for keeping your bunny safe and well.
- Feed it a diet of about 80% grass or hay (timothy hay is thought best).
- Fresh veg (spring greens and carrot) and supa rabbit X-L are really only to be given as supplements in small quantities.
- Get your bunny vaccinated against mxyomatosis and VHD. This best done in the springtime.
- Clean your rabbit out daily, check its bum twice daily and treat it throughout summer and autumn months with Rearguard.
- All female rabbits should be speyed.
