Common Health Issues in Rabbits You Should Be Aware Of

Rabbits are curious and entertaining little animals that are becoming a popular choice as pets worldwide. With their small size, they make the perfect pet in houses or apartments and are easily litter-trained. It’s no surprise that they are quickly becoming one of the most common pets in households nowadays. However, if you have a rabbit or if you’re thinking of getting one, there are some common health issues that you should be aware of. We’ll discuss everything that you need to know now.

Common Health Issues in Rabbits

Dental disease

A very common health issue in rabbits is dental disease. Rabbits have incisors and molars that are open-rooted and continuously grow throughout their life. If they don’t grind their teeth down by chewing coarse, hard food such as hay, these teeth can grow very long. Dental disease can also be caused by metabolic bone disease or congenital issues with jaw malformation.

Overgrown rabbit teeth can curl and grow at abnormal angles or become sharp and form spurs that protrude from the tooth. Spurs can dig into the gum, cheeks or tongue and cause painful mouth injuries.

Signs of dental disease in rabbits include:

• Drooling
• Teeth grinding
• Not eating
• Not producing poo

The treatment for dental disease usually involves a dental procedure carried out under anaesthesia by a veterinarian. The vet will trim the rabbit’s teeth down to their normal position. This will encourage normal chewing and prevent malocclusion. Malocclusion is when the top and bottom teeth don’t meet properly during chewing in order to wear them down. Rabbits will normally receive pain relief and anti-inflammatories as part of their dental treatment. Some rabbits may need antibiotics, particularly if they’ve developed a tooth abscess. Feeding plenty of high-fibre hay can help to prevent dental problems in rabbits.

Gastrointestinal issues

A common tummy issue that rabbits get is called gastrointestinal (GI) stasis. This is when the motility of the gut slows down (or stops) and there may be a change in the gut flora/bacteria. The intestines and stomach become bloated with fluid, gas and hair. GI stasis usually occurs when rabbits are dehydrated, in pain, stressed, or suffering from an illness. Common symptoms of GI stasis include:

• Not eating
• Very little or no faeces being produced
• Bloating (with gas, fluid, or hair)
• Painful abdomen

Rabbits with GI stasis need to be treated as an emergency by a veterinarian. Treatment often involves fluids, pain relief, medication to help improve gut motility and syringe feeding. The underlying cause of GI stasis must be identified to prevent it from reoccurring.

Respiratory conditions

Respiratory conditions in rabbits are common and they can affect the upper (nose and throat) or lower airways (lungs). Upper respiratory infections are often referred to as ‘snuffles’ in rabbits while lower airway infection is known as ‘pneumonia’. Respiratory infections in rabbits can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses but the most common cause is the bacteria Pasteurella multocida. Signs of a respiratory issue with your rabbit may include:

• Sneezing
• Ocular or nasal discharge
• Difficulty breathing
• Weight loss
• Change in appetite
• Secondary GI stasis

Treatment for respiratory issues in rabbits may include fluids, syringe feeding, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories along with x-rays. This will depend on the severity of the clinical signs and your vet’s advice.

Uterine cancer

Female rabbits that aren’t spayed and remain entire are at risk of developing uterine cancer. In fact, over 70% of un-spayed female rabbits over 3 years of age develop this type of cancer. Initial signs of this cancer may include:

• Weight loss
• Blood in urine
• Abdominal bloating

If your rabbit has the above signs, your vet may take x-rays to confirm the diagnosis and they will generally remove the diseased uterus as treatment for the cancer. They may also prescribe anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, syringe feeding, and fluids. Without early intervention, this cancer can spread from the uterus to other parts of the body (metastasis) and prove fatal. Early spaying of female rabbits at the age of 5-6 months will prevent this cancer.

Parasites

Parasites are common in dogs and cats, but did you know that they’re common in rabbits too? Rabbits are at risk of internal and external parasites. External parasites include parasites such as fleas, ticks, and cheyletiella mites (also known as walking dandruff). Internal parasites include worms (pinworms, roundworms), Coccidia, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi to name a few. Parasites can cause a variety of clinical signs depending on which type of parasite is present. These signs may include:

• Itching
• Skin irritation
• Weight loss
• Head tilt
• Loss of balance
• Paralysis in the legs
• Ear infection

In order to treat your rabbit, your vet will need to diagnose what parasites are present. Your vet may be able to see external parasites on flea combings or under the microscope. In some cases of internal parasites, they may need to analyse faecal samples to check for internal worms or perform x-rays if there are ear infections or neurological signs. The treatment for parasites will depend on the type of parasite present. Many external parasites can be treated with a topical anti-parasitic while internal worms may need oral parasitic treatment. Only use medication prescribed by your vet and never use over-the-counter wormers intended for dogs and cats.

Preventing Health Conditions in Your Rabbit

In our opinion, these are some of the most common conditions that can affect pet rabbits. Some are unavoidable while others can be prevented. Keeping your rabbit healthy can prevent some of these conditions. Follow our tips below:

• Keep your rabbit’s vaccinations against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic diarrhoea up to date.
• Feed them a balanced diet with plenty of good quality hay available at all times.
• Let them out of their cage for daily exercise and maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid cages that only have wire bases as these can cause pododermatitis (inflammation of the hock pads) in rabbits.
• Early neutering of female rabbits at 5-6 months to prevent uterine cancer.

Conclusion

Rabbits are adorable pets but can suffer from some common conditions. Keeping your rabbit healthy will help to prevent some of these conditions. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our vets if you’re concerned about your rabbit’s health.