 | Domestic rabbit: Encyclopedia II - Domestic rabbit - Health Problems
Domestic rabbit - Health Problems
Domestic rabbit - Vaccinations Against Calici Virus and Myxomytosis
Calici virus and Myxomytosis are the biggest threat to the health of well-cared for pet rabbits. These can be prevented by annual vaccinations. Rabbit owners in Australia cannot get their rabbit vaccinated against myxomytosis due to its use in controlling wild rabbit numbers (it may escape if a vaccinated pet rabbit is released). Rabbits caged outdoors are especially vulnerable due to their being exposed to more vectors carrying the diseases, especially mosquitoes. In wild populations fleas also carry myxomytosis.
Domestic rabbit - Sore hocks
The formation of open sores on the rabbit's hocks, commonly called "sore hocks," is a common problem afflicting rabbits kept in cages with wire floors. The condition results when, in the course of moving about the cage, the protective fur on the bottom of the rabbit's feet is worn off from the hock area. The exposed skin further rubs on the wire floor, causing painful sores and blisters that can become infected.
Rabbits with sore hocks must be provided with a solid floor cage or a resting board in order for the sores to heal. To prevent the problem from developing, those rabbits especially prone to sore hocks, such as extremely heavy breeds or those with very short fur, should have access to a solid floor at all times. Regular inspections of a rabbit's feet can help an owner head off the development of sore hocks.
Domestic rabbit - Respiratory infections
A common ailment among domestic rabbits is a respiratory infection most commonly caused by Pasturella bacteria known colloquially as "snuffles." Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, and runny nose and eyes. Generally this disease is accepted as incurable, though some people attempt antibiotic treatments with varying degrees of success.
Domestic rabbit - Head tilt or wry neck
Pasturella infections of the inner ear, certain protozoans, strokes, other diseases, or injuries affecting the brain or inner ear can lead to a condition known as wry neck or "head tilt." Frequently this condition is fatal, largely due to a disorientation that causes the animal to stop eating and drinking. Sometimes an antibiotic or antiprotozoal treatment can cure wry neck if it is caused by a bacterial or protozoal infection. Acupuncture has also been used in cases with some success.
Domestic rabbit - Teeth problems
There are a number of dental problems that affect rabbits. These can cause anorexia (the rabbit refuses to eat), which is always a serious situation in rabbits and requires urgent care. Some of them are:
- Malocclusion. Rabbit teeth are open rooted and continue to grow throughout their life. In healthy rabbits, they are kept under control by the chewing action during normal eating, during which they wear out against each other. In some rabbits, the teeth are not properly aligned (a condition called malocclusion), and so there is no normal wear to keep the teeth down. There are three main causes of malocclusion, most commonly genetic predisposition, injury, or bacterial infection. In the case of congenital malocclusion, treatment usually involves veterinary visits in which the teeth are treated with a dental burr (a procedure called crown reduction) or, in some cases, permanently removed.
- Molar spurs. These are spurs that can dig into the rabbit's tongue and/or cheek causing pain. These can be filed down by an experienced veterinarian with a dental burr.
The initial symptom in many dental problems is ptyalism (drooling or "slobbering"). However there are many other causes of ptyalism including pain due to other causes. A visit to an experienced rabbit veterinarian is strongly recommended in the case of a wet chin, or excessive grooming in the mouth area.
Domestic rabbit - Gastrointestinal stasis
Gastrointestinal stasis (or G.I. stasis) is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs in some rabbits in which gut motility is severely reduced and possibly completely stopped. Treatment should be sought immediately from a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and with significant rabbit experience. When untreated or improperly treated, G.I. stasis can be fatal in as little as 24 hours.
G.I. stasis is the condition of food not moving through the gut as quickly as normal. The gut contents may dehydrate and compact into a hard, immobile mass (impacted gut), blocking the digestive tract of the rabbit. Food in an immobile gut may also ferment, causing significant gas buildup and resultant gas pain for the rabbit.
The first noticeable symptom of G.I. stasis may be that the rabbit suddenly stops eating. Treatment frequently includes subcutaneous fluid therapy (rehydration through injection of saline solution under the skin), drugs for treatment of the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, massage to promote gas expulsion and comfort, possible drugs to promote gut motility, and careful monitoring of all inputs and outputs. The rabbit's diet may also be changed as part of treatment.
Some rabbits are more prone to G.I. stasis than others. The causes of G.I. stasis are not completely understood, but common contributing factors are thought to include:
- a lack of fibre in the diet. Many pet rabbits do not get sufficient fresh grass hay but are instead mistakenly fed only commercial alfalfa pellets originally developed for rapidly increasing mass in rabbits bred for meat.
- insufficient moisture in the diet. Fresh, leafy greens are a critical part of a rabbit's diet in part because of their moisture content, which helps prevent the gut contents from becoming impacted.
- lack of excercise. Rabbits confined to a cage frequently do not get the opportunity (or motivation) to run, jump, and play which is critical in maintaining gut motility.
In addition, G.I. stasis can be caused by the rabbit not eating for other reasons, such as stress, dental problems, or other unrelated health problems.
G.I. stasis is sometimes misdiagnosed as cat-like "hair balls" by veterinarians not familiar with rabbit physiology.
The House Rabbit Society website contains two good articles on G.I. stasis:
- Sluggish Motility in the Gastrointestinal Tract
- GastroIntestinal Stasis, The Silent Killer
Domestic rabbit - Cancer
Rabbits frequently are subject to cancers of the reproductive organs by four or five years of age. Neutering or spaying a rabbit eliminates this risk and as a result may increase the animal's lifespan.
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 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Health Problems", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
