June's Common Rabbit Aliments Amoxicillin, this common antibiotic is extremely toxic to rabbits.
Bacterial Infections - rabbits can get a range of them including salmonella.
Buns in the Sun: Heat Stroke - rabbits need lots of fresh water and ventilation in the summer since this can be fatal. They get over heated at 85 degrees.
Eating the Cecotrophes (looks like their fecal pellet, but has mucus covering it) is normal and healthy. Okay, it's disgusting for us humans to watch, but cecotrophes have high level of vitamins and are redigested with more important nutrients.
Dental - malocclusion - rabbits teeth grow throughout their lives and a good wood chew block will help avoid overgrown teeth.
Ear Mites - get the rabbit to a vet for treatment You will see crusty, inflamed inner ears.
GI Stasis - this can be a killer. Please see the following link for an excellent article by Dana Krempels, GI Stasis, The Silent Killer.
Hairballs - this is especially dangerous for rabbits because unlike a cat, rabbits cannot vomit. Long-haired breeds are particularly susceptible. A constant supply of timothy hay will help with digestion.
High Blood Calcium - thick creamy urine is one sign of hypercalciuria. The color of your rabbit's urine is related to its diet so don't be alarmed if it's red after a lot of carrots.
Obesity - this can lead to other complications. Skip the pellets and give your rabbit a constant free supply of timothy hay and feed them leafy greens low in calcium. Alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets are very rich and can put on the pounds.
Lead poisoning - be sure they aren't chewing on painted objects or molding.
Paralysis - a rabbit has a very fragile backbone. If the rabbit is not handled properly it can leap out of your arms and break it's back. It can also break a leg by making contact with a hard surface when it is struggling. If the rabbit injures its back, it can suffer paralysis in one or both back legs. See a vet about this. A rabbit can have a good life even as a disabled bunny. Euthanasia doesn't have to be your last resort alternative in this case.
Snuffles - Pasteurella - looks like they have a cold. and is treatable with antibiotics. Take your rabbit to a vet immediately especially if you have more than one. If you do, take them all since it is highly contagious.
Sore Hocks - usually caused from wire flooring in a cage or wet bedding or flooring. Rabbits don't have foot pads like dogs and cats. Be sure the cage has a solid floor with hay or a towel over the floor to give it
a cushion. If your rabbit has a medical problem and is urinating on it's hind legs and they are wet.... wash the urine off. I have heard of bunny owners rubbing bag balm on the areas (the type without sulpher in it) to keep the wet urine off the skin. However, if a rabbit is wetting his hind legs it means there maybe another more serious medical problem so take him to the vet!
Spay or Neuter your rabbit before 2 years of age and preferably when they become sexually mature. Most rabbit breeds are sexually mature at 4 to 6 months. This will avoid medical problems later on and other behavior such as spraying urine, territorial marking with feces and aggressiveness. --Hopper homepage Submitted by: If you have rabbit related questions you would like answered,
get them answered at June's Booth
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