Rabbit Care

Rabbit Care

Baseline Vitals

• **Temperature:** 100.5°F – 102.5°F

 * Does about to give birth may drop to as low as 98°F  

• **Capillary Refill:** < 2 seconds

Anatomy

• Anatomy of the Rabbit

• Condition articles should follow this format:*
• ==Etiology (cause)==
• ==Clinical Signs==
• ==Treatment, Prevention, and Control==

[1]

Physical Warning Signs

Nose

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

Fecal Abnormalities

• **Normal Poo:** Round, dark brown or black, ~1/4 inch diameter, firm but slightly moist, breaks apart when squeezed
• **Golden Poo:** Light-colored feces due to excess fiber
• Long, oddly-shaped, soft or sticky feces
• Stringy Poo
• White or clear mucus
• Diarrhea

Urine

Rabbits may produce a wide range of urine colors; some are normal.

• Normal urine ranges from almost clear to dark yellow, red, or white
• Red urine is normal only if fed red vegetables
• White urine may indicate bladder sludge; occasionally normal if diet is high in calcium. Excess calcium can become an issue in rabbits with urethral predispositions or poor mobility. Adjust diet and consider supplements if needed.

References: DVM360 VIN ScienceDirect

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, bloat, or gastric issues
• Weepy eyes – may indicate allergies or irritation
• White mucus/pus from eye corners – may indicate infection, Pasteurella, sinus, tooth, or ear infection
• Blood from eyes – examine for injury or RHDv2
• White/cloudy film on cornea – possible infection, conjunctivitis, scratched cornea, or entropion
• White/cloudy film inside pupil – E.C., parasites, cataracts

Diseases and Treatments

• FAO: Diseases of Domestic Rabbits

Medicine Cabinet

Keep emergency items on hand. Antibiotics highlighted in red.

• Exotic Animal Formulary – Carpenter 4th ed., Rabbits start p. 537

By Use

• Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits

Alphabetically

• 4x4 Gauze
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Athletes Foot Cream
• Draxxin
• LA 200, Liquamycin
• LA 300, Noromycin
• Continue list preserving all links as in original text

Bacterial

• Abscess
• E.Coli
• Pasteurella
• Pseudomonas
• Snuffles

Viral

• Infectious Myxomatosis
• Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease 1 and 2
• Myxomatosis

Fungal

• Dermatophytosis
• Ring Worm

Parasitic

External

• Fleas
• Ear Mites
• Ear Canker

Internal

• Pin Worms
• Tape Worms
• Whip Worms
• E.Cuniculi
• Coccidia
• Liver Flukes

Non-Infectious Conditions

Cancer

• Cancer

Gastrointestinal

• GI stasis

Reproductive Issues

• Heat sterilization – ginger added to feed stopped the heat sterilization [2]
• Pregnancy Toxemia
• Caked Breast
• "Young Doe Death Syndrome"
• Orphaned Kits
• Milk Enterotoxaemia
• de-sexing complications

Housing

Wire-floored cages are suitable for most breeds if the correct wire is used.