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By
Dr. Sari Kanfer, Dr. Domotor's Animal Hospital - Monrovia
Evaluate diet:
- Free
feed fresh grass hay
- Limited
timothy pellets (1/4) cup per 5lbs. of bunny per day [split portion
between morning and night] for adult rabbits, baby rabbits (under
1 yr) get free fed alfalfa pellets)
- Fresh
green leafy vegetables (for rabbits over 6 months of age)
- Limited
treats such as fruit. No bread products. No yogurt or yogurt drops.
Evaluate
environment:
- Indoors,
under 78 degrees F
- All
electrical cords covered/hidden
- Litterboxes
with rabbit safe litter (recycled newspaper, corncob, aspen…)
changed daily. (taken out every other day)
- Fresh
water supplied daily, ideally in bowls (heavy ceramic crocks and
attachable crocks work well)
- Flat,
non-wire surfaces available to stand on, as well as cushioned
areas like rugs and towels to protect hocks. Dog exercise pens
(x-pens) make IDEAL bunny habitats. At Zooh Corner we prefer x-pens
to cages.
- Many
hours of out of pen/cage time (3-5+ daily)
- All
outdoor time must be closely monitored for safety from heat and
other animals
- Toys
to chew and toss
- Bunnies
should be paired to avoid loneliness; rabbits are very sociable
animals.
Hands-on
exam:
- Check
eyes and nose for any discharge
- Check
ears for buildup of debris - do not clean ears on your own unless
directed to do so by a veterinarian. Any discharge - go to the
vet. They may have ear mites.
- Feel
sides of face and under jaw for any lumps or asymmetrical areas.
Look at incisors (front teeth) - edges should be an even horizontal
line, upper and lower teeth should meet fairly evenly. Have any
abnormalities checked out ASAP. Rabbit teeth are continuously
growing and may grow abnormally and cause abscesses. Your Rabbit
Vet should check cheek (back) teeth at least once a year.
- Check
coat for white dandruff, hair loss, fleas and flea dirt (looks
like black specks), lumps, and scabs.
- Feel
if rabbit is excessively bony or chubby.
- Check
area around anus frequently. Make sure there is no urine staining
of fur, no feces stuck to fur. Overweight rabbits have trouble
cleaning themselves properly. Irritated skin attracts flies, even
indoors, and fly eggs hatch very quickly into maggots which burrow
into the rabbit's skin. If your rabbit's underside is dirty, clean
it ASAP using mild soap and warm water. If the skin looks irritated
or you see eggs, go to the vet for treatment ASAP.
- Monitor
feces and urine, and note any changes in appearance or amount.
Small irregular feces or diarrhea are reasons to visit the vet.
Red urine can indicate bleeding from the uterus or bladder, or
the color change may be due to plant pigments in the diet. Veterinarians
can determine if it is blood or not.
- Monitor
energy level and attitude.
Most
importantly, closely monitor appetite and water consumption! If
your bunny is eating or drinking less than normal, see a vet ASAP.
If your bunny has not eaten a single bite in 24-36 hours, this is
an EMERGENCY.
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