Rabbit Care

Rabbit Care

Baseline Vitals

• Normal temperature: 100.5–102.5 °F
• Does about to give birth may have a drop to as low as 98 °F
• Capillary refill: < 2 seconds

Anatomy

Main article: Anatomy of the Rabbit

Physical Warning Signs

Nose

• Bloody nose
• Thick white mucus
• Labored or mouth breathing

Fecal Abnormalities

• Normal: round, dark brown or black, ~6 mm (1/4 in), firm but slightly moist, breaks apart when squeezed.
• Light-colored “golden” feces: excess dietary fiber.
• Long, oddly shaped, soft and sticky feces.
• Stringy feces.
• White or clear mucus.
• Diarrhea.

Urine

• Normal rabbit urine ranges from nearly clear to dark yellow, red, or white.
• Red urine: typically linked to red vegetables; not necessarily pathological.
• White urine: may indicate bladder sludge or high-calcium diet. Occasional excretion is normal due to rabbit calcium metabolism.
• Risk arises in rabbits with narrowed urethra or poor mobility; such animals may benefit from lower-calcium diets and mobility support.

Coat Texture

• Dry, brittle coat.
• Oily coat.

Eyes

Healthy eyes should be clear, bright, and alert. Warning signs include:

• Squinted eyes (“ouchie face” → may indicate pain, gastric issues, or bloat).
• Weepy eyes: allergy or irritation.
• White mucus/pus: possible infection (eye, sinus, tooth, or ear).
• Blood from eyes: injury or Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2).
• White/cloudy corneal film: conjunctivitis, scratched cornea, entropion.
• White/cloudy film inside pupil: *Encephalitozoon cuniculi*, cataracts, or juvenile cataracts.

Diseases and Treatments

See also: Rabbit Diseases and Disorders

Medicine Cabinet

Essential emergency supplies. Antibiotics shown in red. Based on Exotic Animal Formulary (Carpenter, 4th ed.), rabbits section begins p. 537.

By Use

• Antimicrobial agents used in rabbits.

Alphabetical

• 4x4 Gauze
• Baytril (Enrofloxacin)
• Draxxin (Tulathromycin)
• LA-200 (Oxytetracycline)
• LA-300 (Oxytetracycline)
• Toltrazuril 5%
• Baycox
• SafeGuard (Fenbendazole)
• Ivermectin
• Simethicone (baby gas drops)
• Electrolyte powder
• Iron 100 injectable
• B-complex injectable
• Red Cell
• Wonder Dust
• [Full A–Z list retained from original draft; should be expanded into table form for clarity]

Bacterial

• Abscess
• Blue Breast
• Conjunctivitis
• Enterotoxaemia
• Pasteurellosis (“Snuffles”)
• Tyzzer’s Disease
• Weepy Eye
• Wry Neck

(Each to be expanded with Etiology, Clinical Signs, Treatment format)

Viral

• Myxomatosis
• Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV1, RHDV2)

Fungal

• Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

Parasitic

External Parasites

• Warbles (botfly larvae)
• Fleas
• Fly strike
• Fur mites
• Mange mites
• Ear mites / ear canker

Internal Parasites

• Pinworms
• Tapeworms
• Whipworms
• *Nosema*
• *E. cuniculi*
• Coccidiosis (intestinal and hepatic)
• Liver flukes

Non-Infectious Conditions

Cancer

• Various neoplasias (to be expanded)

Gastrointestinal

• GI stasis
• Hair/wool block
• Diarrhea (non-specific)
• Fatty liver

Reproductive Issues

• Cannibalism
• Pregnancy toxemia
• Mastitis
• “Young Doe Death Syndrome”
• Ketosis
• Orphaned kits
• Dystocia

Injury or Self-Inflicted

• Fighting wounds
• Fur chewing
• Wet dewlap (predisposes to *Pseudomonas*)
• Sore hocks / ulcerated footpads

Dental

• Malocclusion
• Tooth abscess
• “Slobbers”

Genetic Abnormalities

• Fetal giantism
• Microcardia
• Malocclusion (hereditary)

Housing

Wire-floored cages can be suitable for most breeds if the correct wire gauge is used.

References

• Cornell University. (2021). Rabbit Decathlon: Senior Division Study Guide.
• Reusch, B. C. (2007). Calcium metabolism, bladder sludge, and urolithiasis in rabbits. *Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine*, 16(3), 168–176. doi:[10.1053/j.jepm.2007.06.001](https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2007.06.001)
• DVM360. (2011). Rabbit calcium metabolism, bladder sludge, and urolithiasis. [Online resource].
• Carpenter, J. W. (2012). Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed. Elsevier.
• FAO (1997). Diseases of Domestic Rabbits. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper 78.