Step1
Take your rabbit to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian for a well-bunny check when he first comes to live with you. Ask your vet to show you how to examine your rabbit at home.
Step2
Play with your rabbit for at least a few minutes every day. As he bonds with you, he'll let you touch him more often. He may even let you pick him up occasionally.
Step3
Do a full body check of your rabbit during your daily petting sessions. Gently check his ears, eyes, paws, legs, tummy, back and teeth, based on your veterinarian's instructions.
Step4
Observe his normal condition so that you will immediately recognize anything out of the ordinary such as lumps, sores, bruises or cuts. Note whether there's something in his ear, if his stomach seems full or tight, or if his teeth seem out of line.
Step5
Check the color of his urine daily; it can range from orange to yellow to brown. If you're not sure whether the urine looks normal, ask your vet to test a sample. Milky white or sludgy urine (containing a grainy, sandy material) means that your rabbit may be eating foods too high in calcium. The grains are calcified crystals, which can form painful bladder stones.
Step6
Check your rabbit's feces daily to get familiar with how they look when normal. If his feces are smaller than normal or oddly shaped or colored, his stomach or cecum may be blocked. Dry feces mean your rabbit may be dehydrated and needs subcutaneous fluids immediately. If his feces are too soft, he may have a virus. Bring your rabbit to the vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
Step7
Take your rabbit to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect he's suffering from a blockage. Most vets will treat a blockage with medication and subcutaneous fluids.
Step8
Take a lethargic rabbit to the vet immediately. House rabbits are generally very active, unless they are napping. If your rabbit's usual activity level lessens, try to tempt him with his favorite vegetable, treat or toy. If he refuses his favorite treat, take him to the vet.
Step9
Keep some rabbit-safe supplies in your pet's medicine chest. If he is suffering from gas pain, ask your veterinarian for the correct dosage of Phazyme, based on your rabbit's body weight. Phazyme provides quick relief from gas pain for most rabbits. Also keep styptic powder or baking powder on hand to stop bleeding from broken toenails.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Papaya enzyme 1/2 wafer given once a week -excellent for maintaining bowel health. For my rabbit, it is superior to the cat-lax as a regular treatment.
aredhel said
on 12/27/2006 watch for eye infections too. i lost my rabbit of 9-1/2 years to an eye infection, of all things. the infection can travel along the optic nerve very quickly because it is so short in a bunny. can cause meningitis. deal with any eye infection quickly and completely.
Anonymous said
on 7/9/2006 If you rabbit has become accustomed to eating at the same time every day, don't randomly change the feeding schedule. Your rabbit may refuse to eat, and one day without food can be harmful to your rabbit's health. Maintain a regular scheduled feeding time.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When choosing a quality rabbit pellet, keep in mind that alfalfa is very high in protein, calories, and fat. Rabbits that eat a lot of alfalfa often develop stones. Offer alfalfa only for an occasional treat and look for rabbit pellets that are Timothy (not alfalfa) based and high in fiber. Be aware that estimates of cancer rates in rabbits have been estimated as high as 70%, so it is important to avoid pellets that contain the preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin - all of which are thought to be carcinogens (cancer linked or causing). Search the internet for more on these dangerous additives and chemical and alfalfa free pellets.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Use kitty litter for your rabbit's cage. It will not only absorb more fluid, but be safer for your bunny. Use only non-toxic ones. A rabbit's health is more fragile than a cat's. Litter from recycled paper and wood shavings can harm your rabbit's health!