Rabbit owners should be aware of the signs of illness in bunnies and which health problems to watch for. Here's an overview of the most common issues in domestic rabbits.
Though proper diet, housing, grooming, and handling of bunnies can go a long way in preventing health problems, some illness are more pervasive than others. The following health problems, listed in alphabetical order, are common afflictions of domestic rabbits. If you suspect your rabbit may be suffering from any of these issues, please bring the bunny to a rabbit-savvy vet.
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi
- Cause: E. cuni is a protozoan parasite that can be ingested or passed from another rabbit through urine. Many rabbits have some E. cuniculi and never show symptoms, until something triggers an overgrowth.
- Symptoms: A rabbit with an E. cuniculi overgrowth may have loss of balance, rolling, head tilt, or partial paralysis.
- Treatment: The vet will prescribe a dewormer such as Albendazole, Oxibendazole, or Fenbenzadole, often combined with the antibiotic Baytril.
Gastro-Intestinal Stasis
- Cause: Rabbits have very specialized and complicated digestive systems. Causes of G.I. Stasis can range from stress, gas, or ingestion of a foreign substance, to ingestion of too much fur, tooth pain, or a reaction to antibiotics.
- Symptoms: A rabbit going into stasis will not eat, drink, or poop. He may be hunched up, grinding his teeth in pain, and become lethargic and unresponsive.
- Treatment: Act quickly if a rabbit won't eat. Twelve hours without eating or pooping is an emergency, requiring immediate vet care. Many cases of tummy upset can be treated with infant gas reliever and stomach massages early on, but treatment for full-blown stasis generally consists of a motility drug, often combined with fluid therapy.
Maloccusion
- Cause: Rabbit's teeth are constantly growing, and they need to chew to keep the teeth at a comfortable length. Without a constant supply of long, fibrous hay or grass and leafy greens to chew, teeth often become overgrown and cut into the mouth, causing infection and anorexia. It can also be hereditary, as some rabbits simply are born with crooked teeth.
- Symptoms: Anorexia, especially if the rabbit shows an interest in food but then won't eat, is a sign of a dental issue. Drooling and grinding teeth in pain can be another sign of a maloccusion.
- Treatment: Prevention in the form of plenty of hay or grass and leafy greens, plus plenty of chew toys, can keep maloccusion at bay. Otherwise, teeth can be trimmed by a vet, or, in some cases, the offending teeth are surgically removed. Any ulcers or lacerations must be treated by antibiotics.
Myxomatosis
- Cause: Myxomatosis is a viral infection usually transmitted by blood-sucking insects. It is less common in the U.S. than abroad, but there have been cases, especially in California.
- Symptoms: Swelling, fever, listlessness, and respiratory distress are common symptoms. There may be discharge from the eyes and lesions, or even seizures.
- Treatment: Unfortunately, myxomatosis is usually fatal. There is a vaccine available, though it is illegal in Australia. Keeping rabbits inside is a great way to minimize threat of myxomatosis.
Pododermatitis/"Sore Hocks"
- Cause: Rabbits do not have pads on their feet like dogs or cats. Improper housing, such as a cage without a solid bottom, damages rabbit feet! Constant moisture and prolonged confinement, as well as obesity or overgrown nails, can exacerbate the situation.
- Symptoms: Rabbits in improper housing suffer from raw, inflamed feet, sometimes with callouses or abscesses, which can lead to seriously infected ulcers.
- Treatment: Proper flooring, exercise, and nail-trimming will prevent pododermatitis. Mild cases can be treated with topical ointments and "Nu-Skin." More severe cases require antibiotics.
Respiratory Infections
- Cause: R.I.s, sometimes called "Snuffles," can be transmitted from other rabbits, or occur because of stress, malnutrition, or bacterial infections. Sometimes allergies or environmental irritants, or even dust or debris lodged in the eye or nose can be the original cause of the problem. Pastuerella is the most frightening bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system and is highly contagious to other rabbits.
- Symptoms: Sneezing, wheezing, runny nose or eyes and sometimes fever indicate infection. Some rabbits develop ear-infections and display head-shaking or head tilt.
- Treatment: A rabbit-safe antibiotic, such as Enrofloxacin (Baytril.) Often, the vet will perform a culture to determine the bacteria causing the infection, and determine which antibiotic to prescribe.
The copyright of the article Common Illnesses in Pet Rabbits in Pet Diseases is owned by Sarah Goodwin-Nguyen. Permission to republish Common Illnesses in Pet Rabbits in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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