Bishop, Hendry & EdwardsPets

Keeping a happy and healthy rabbit

Rabbits are a prey species which means they are always worried about being eaten by foxes or other predators – even if you know they are perfectly safe they will still be using their big ears and bulging eyes to alert them to danger. Go quietly around your bunny and be aware that toddlers’ jerky movements can be very scary!

Arabbit living by itself will get bored and lonely. It’s much better to get two. A male/female pair is easiest. It is best to neuter both males and females for health reasons so it shouldn’t matter your pets are different sexes. If you only have one bunny, you’ll need to work extra hard to make sure you give it plenty of attention, every day.

Giving your rabbit plenty of stimulation means space to run around and opportunities for digging such as a sandpit or your garden. They also like to chew sticks, hay and grass. Providing your bunny with a safe haven to hide in will help them to feel safe. Drainpipes and cardboard boxes can make good alternatives if you don’t want them to burrow in your garden.

RVHD and Myxomatosis

RVHD and Myxomatosis can be fatal to un-vaccinated rabbits. Both outdoor and indoor rabbits are at risk. RVHD is highly contagious. It is an air borne virus, it can be spread by biting insects (as can Myxo) and by direct and indirect contact with infected rabbits. Recently a new strain of RVHD has been identified which means it is more important than ever to vaccinate your pet. As always, no vaccination is 100% effective and it does not mean your pet will not contract the disease. However, it does mean they have a chance to be treated and survive these normally fatal illnesses.

Fly Strike

Fly Strike is another important disease for rabbits. It is also known as Myiasis and happens when flies lay their eggs on the bunny and these quickly hatch out into maggots which eat the bunny’s skin and organs. The most common site for this to happen is around the rabbit’s anus and scent glands. A rabbit that is overweight, unwell or suffers from joint problems will struggle to keep this area clean which can lead to the fur being matted with urine and faeces, attracting flies. The fly eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) in approximately 12 hours and start feeding on external debris. Once this has been consumed, the maggots will continue to eat sound skin and tissue, often tunnelling under the skin layers. This is very uncomfortable for the rabbit and will progressively get more painful as the condition progresses. Initially the rabbit will be very restless. However, as time goes on he will become unwell, lethargic and lose his appetite. Eventually fly strike can lead to serious shock, septicaemia and if left untreated, will often be fatal.

For treatment to be successful, the rabbit needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Rapid removal of the eggs and maggots is imperative to stop any further damage. This may need to be repeated a few times to ensure all of the eggs and maggots have been removed. Supportive treatment will be given depending on the severity of the case. Intensive nursing and nutritional support will also be vital to the success of the treatment.

As always, prevention is better than cure and there are a number of things that owners can do to help reduce the risks. Owner awareness of fly strike is vital and you should know the signs and be able to recognise them. Have a look on the Internet for some gruesome pictures of rabbits suffering from fly strike and you will be under no doubt why this is an emergency that needs veterinary attention as soon as possible.

Good husbandry is essential, keeping your rabbit in good physical condition, feeding a balanced diet and cleaning the living quarters regularly will all reduce the chances of fly strike occurring. If housed outdoors, mosquito netting can be used over the hutch and runs to help reduce the number of flies that can enter the area. Sticky fly paper can be used outside the hutch or if the rabbit is housed indoors, an electric insect killer can be used. Lastly, a topical treatment can be applied to the rabbit to help prevent fly strike. It should be applied at the start of summer before any flies are seen and gives approximately 8-10 weeks of protection.

Emma Leyland
Bishop, Hendry & Edwards

September 2016