Medical issues

This is the most common problem, since a rabbit’s teeth continue to grow throughout its entire life and must be worn down by eating to maintain the correct length. If the food does not contain enough fiber or the teeth do not align properly (malocclusion), they become too long. Overly long teeth develop hooks that can pierce the cheek and tongue, causing severe pain, mouth infections, and sores. The rabbit is also no longer able to pick up and eat food. Clinical symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, drooling, and abscesses on the muzzle and jaw. Eye infections and caked droppings around the base of the tail can also be signs of dental problems.
In some rabbit breeds, malocclusion of the front incisors is congenital. These rabbits will require regular treatment throughout their lives; another option is to have the teeth extracted. Acquired malocclusion occurs in older rabbits and is likely primarily related to diet. A proper diet is essential for your rabbit’s well-being (see the chapter on nutrition). Problems mainly arise if your pet does not eat enough fiber in the form of hay, grass, or plant leaves to wear down its teeth quickly enough. Problems can also arise if your rabbit refuses to eat the pellets in a muesli mix, as these pellets contain calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for proper bone and tooth development. Your rabbit’s teeth should be checked regularly, preferably at the same time as vaccinations.

Ear mites are small parasites found in the ear canals of rabbits. They can cause excessive earwax production, accompanied by clinical symptoms such as head shaking, ear scratching, and blood around the ear canal. This is most common in breeds with floppy ears.Other mites cause dry skin and dandruff on the back and shoulders. These can also cause a mild rash in humans, so rabbits with mites should be treated promptly.If the bedding isn’t changed regularly (at least once a week), your rabbit’s feet may develop sores and become infected, especially if the rabbit is also overweight. The feet should be checked regularly, and the nails trimmed as needed. With the right technique, this isn’t difficult; we’d be happy to demonstrate it for you once.

Rabbits can develop eye infections that are difficult to treat. These manifest as a milky discharge from the corner of the eye and can cause painful, red skin just below the lower eyelid (conjunctivitis). The tear ducts become blocked and must be flushed out. This most commonly occurs due to abnormally growing tooth roots.

Diarrhea is a common problem in domestic rabbits. This condition can be life-threatening, so you should contact the veterinary practice immediately. Some gastrointestinal infections that cause diarrhea can be fatal within 24 hours. Rabbits with diarrhea become dehydrated quickly and need to be given fluids. Sometimes this must be done via an IV. A high-fiber diet (hay or grass) also helps protect against diarrhea and soft droppings.

Overweight rabbits, older rabbits with leg or back problems, and rabbits with dental issues sometimes have caked droppings around the base of their tails. It’s normal for rabbits to produce softer droppings at night, which they then eat—this is an important part of a rabbit’s diet—but if a rabbit is significantly overweight or has a sore mouth or back, it may not be able to reach far enough to “clean up” these droppings.

In the summer, diarrhea or caked-on soft droppings can attract flies, which lay their eggs around the base of the tail. Maggots hatch from these eggs. The maggots (which sometimes hatch from the fly eggs within a day) feed not only on the caked-on droppings but also on the rabbits themselves. This is a very painful and often life-threatening situation. In the summer, you should check your rabbit twice a day and always make sure the bedding is clean and dry. Our practice has various methods to prevent this difficult problem, but the most important things are hygiene and prompt treatment of any associated health issues.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microscopic parasite that can cause a number of diseases in rabbits, including seizures and kidney disease. A common condition caused by E. cuniculi is the sudden onset of torticollis. In some cases, the rabbit may lie on only one side, with its head turned in the opposite direction. E. cuniculi can also affect the internal structures of the eye and cause (partial) blindness. However, not all rabbits that carry E. cuniculi show symptoms of the disease. Many appear healthy, even though they can still infect other rabbits. The parasite is transmitted through infected urine or from mother to offspring and can survive in the environment for several weeks. In places where many rabbits live together, the risk of infection is high, even when good hygiene is practiced. Exposure to the parasite can be detected through a blood test; fecal or urine tests can determine whether a rabbit is also excreting the parasite. E. cuniculi also affects other species, such as guinea pigs kept together with rabbits. E. cuniculi does not infect healthy people, but individuals with severely compromised immune systems should avoid exposure, as it can cause health problems in them. E. cuniculi is treatable, but severe cases may not respond to treatment. Please contact our practice; we’d be happy to tell you more about routine treatment for all new rabbits or other testing and treatment regimens.

Obesity is common in domestic rabbits, especially in females. This can lead to other problems, such as caked droppings and maggots, fatty liver disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, and metabolic disorders. Prevention is important, and it’s essential to pay close attention to your rabbit’s diet and ensure it gets enough exercise. Please contact the clinic before putting your rabbit on a diet.

Many owners are concerned about the risks of anesthesia in rabbits. In the past, rabbits were known to be difficult to anesthetize safely. However, spaying and neutering rabbits is now a routine procedure, and with modern medications and the expertise of today’s veterinarians, there is no reason to be overly concerned. All anesthetics carry a small risk, regardless of the animal, but every effort is made to ensure that your rabbit’s anesthesia is as safe as possible.