LET'S TALK ABOUT - BUNNY ILLNESSES
By Fiona Murphy
****SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A SICK BUNNY***
-
Not Eating / Not Drinking / Not Pooping (or a change in these habits such as not eating their usual pellets even if still eating hay or vegetables, less or smaller poops)
-
Sitting hunched in corner, staring at the wall
-
Lethargic - Difficulty urinating (look like they are straining or squeaking in pain)
-
Head Tilt (GET TO VETS URGENTLY!)
-
Unusual Scratching / Hair loss
-
Sudden paralysis or loss of movement in limbs (AGAIN GET TO VETS URGENTLY)
-
Sneezing, or runny nose or Weepy eyes
-
Teeth grinding can be an indicator of pain
Rabbits are prey animals, therefore they hide any signs of injury or illness, sometimes until it is unfortunately too late - it's up to us as owners to be on the ball, and spot any issue and get them to the vet if needs be
BEST WAYS TO PICK UP SIGNS OF ILLNESS QUICKLY AND IMPROVE YOUR RABBIT'S CHANCE OF GETTING BETTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE -
1. CHANGE THEIR LITTER TRAY EVERY DAY
This allows you to see any change in pooping habits very quickly as you will know roughly when they last pooped, or when their poop was last normal
2. DISCOVER YOUR BUNNY'S FAVOURITE TREAT
While rabbits shouldn't have a lot of treats, knowing what your bunny goes mad for allows you to quickly see if they are feeling off. You can bring out the treat (such as nibblots, or a favourite fruit, herb or vegetable) at any time that you are concerned that they aren't quite right, and if they show no interest you will know you need to find out what is going on
3. KNOW YOUR RABBIT'S NORMAL BEHAVIOURS AND MOVEMENTS
Knowing how active your bun normally is at a certain time of day for example, or how they lie when they are very relaxed, whether they scoff their food all in one go, or like to pick at it gradually during the day, - all these help you build a picture of how your rabbit is when well, and spot little differences that might indicate an issue. So spend lots of time observing your rabbit (I know, I know, what a hardship 🤣)
4. AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT - PICK YOUR RABBIT UP AND GIVE THEM AT LEAST A WEEKLY CHECK OVER
Lots of people don't pick up their rabbits as they have heard they are prey animals and hate being handled. While it is true that they don't love the sensation of being picked up, even when used to it, it is VITAL to their wellbeing that you learn to pick them up and they learn to be picked up!
By picking them up, you know
-What their weight feels like (so can quickly tell if they are feeling boney or have put on weight)
-If their fur is the usual good quality - or is there bald patches, or sore spots?
-If their front teeth are overgrown, misaligned or broken
- If their bottom is clean and dry - or have they got poop or urinary issues, or worse, fly strike
- If their tummy feels bloated or anywhere on their body is sensitive to touch -If their ears are clean and mite free
- If their nose and chin are dry
- If their nails need clipping, or their feet have sores or injuries
AND if you have to give them medications, that'll be a lot less stressful for both of you if they are used to being picked up!!
Fiona x
WANT TO KNOW MORE?! FURTHER RESOURCES HERE
Check out the following classes relevant to this topic -
*My Easy 3 Step Process to Bonding with Your Rabbit and Getting Them Used To Being Picked Up
*COMMON BUNNY ILLNESSES AND HOW TO SPOT THEM
*7 POSITIONS TO SYRINGE FEED YOUR RABBIT OR GIVE THEM ORAL MEDICATIONS
*HOW TO PUT TOGETHER A RABBIT FIRST AID KIT
P.S. ALL THESE CLASSES ARE FREE FOR MEMBERS OF
FIONA'S HAPPY BUNNY CLUB
PLUS A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER BENEFITS!!
CHECK OUT THE DETAILS HERE!
FIONA'S HAPPY BUNNY CLUB - MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP
P.P.S Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter for Care Tips, Special Offers and Fun stuff https://therabbitrooms.ie/newsletter