Health

Checklist for your rabbits Health

Make sure your rabbits are vaccinated regularly – take them for a routine health check with your vet at least once a year.Vaccinations protect them against myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) (also known as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, (RHD). Your vet will advise how often your rabbits should be vaccinated.

Rabbits that are stressed are much more likely to become ill so try to minimize unnecessary stress, provide constant access to safe hiding places and watch to see if their behavior changes or they show regular signs of stress or fear, in which case, seek advice from your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist.

Check your rabbits for signs of illness or injury every day. Make sure this is done by someone else if you are away. Consult your vet immediately if you suspect your rabbit is in pain, ill or injured.

In warm weather check the fur and skin around your rabbits’ rear end and tail area twice a day,as urine staining or droppings that are stuck will attract flies, which can lay eggs and cause ‘flystrike’, which is often fatal.

Front teeth and nails should be checked at least once a week as these can grow quickly but only a vet should correct overgrown or misaligned teeth.

Give your rabbits treatment for external and internal parasites (e.g. fleas and worms) as necessary, as advised by your vet.

Only use medicines that have been specifically recommended for your individual rabbit by a vet – some medicines used for other animals can be very dangerous to rabbits.

Groom your rabbits’ coats regularly to keep them in good condition. If you are unsure how to groom your rabbits properly ask your vet for advice.