Rabbit’s diseases. Prevention is the best cure

So, are you planning to buy one of those cute rabbits? Well, rabbits are certainly cute animals but there are also diseases to watch for. If you take good care of your rabbit, feed it properly and take care of it, you will certainly reduce the risk of your pet getting sick. As with any diseases, the best approach is prevention. You need to monitor your rabbit’s health closely. If you pal begins to act strange you should definitely visit the vet.

Diarrhoea

Yes, rabbits get that pretty often. The cause is often a draft or cold temperature, but it can also be bad or spoiled food. Another important thing is to keep the bedding dry. If your pet gets diarrhoea, it will produce slimy to liquid droppings and also rather smelly. The good news is that you can get rid of diarrhoea rather easy. Move your pet to a room where the temperature is comfortable and where are no drafts. Also place the rabbit housing on a warm floor to eliminate the danger of getting cold from the ground. You should also get rid of all juicy feed. Feed your rabbit dry food only, which means lots of hay and cooked dry unsalted rice. Instead of regular water, you can give your rabbit a lukewarm chamomile tea. If the diarrhoea does not go away within two days, go to see your vet.

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Constipation

Another serious ailment is constipation. You can tell if your rabbit sits with a hunched back and a bloated belly and doesn’t eat anything. Thankfully, you can get rid of it easily. Give your rabbit a lot of water, lettuce or carrots. Additional exercise and movement will also help.

What is coccidiosis?

It is a parasite that is often found in rabbit’s intestines and sometimes in the liver too. Unfortunately, it is a very common disease and both young and older rabbits are very susceptible to it. If you do not treat it in time, your pet may die. If your rabbit has been infected by this disease, look at its spine. It usually resembles a “saw”. The rabbit has a frizzy fur and constantly grinds its teeth. In addition, it may also be suffering from diarrhoea. Interestingly enough, it may also be constipated and suffer from loss of appetite. If you notice the slightest sign of coccidiosis, see your vet immediately. Do not forget to collect few rabbit droppings (pellets) and show them to the vet. Collect pellets over about three days before you go to the vet as the disease may not show in every single pallet even if your rabbit has it. If your rabbit is diagnosed with coccidiosis you will get a treatment. You dissolve the treatment in water and pour it the drinker.

Bloating?

Bloating can be caused by fermented or wet food, or by very cold food. It may also be caused by flatulent types of vegetables that produce a lot of gases. If your rabbit is bloated, you can tell that its stomach is enlarged and very tight. In this case you should remove all food and go to the vet. Serious bloating can be fatal. So, you need to act fast.

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Rabbit’s cold?

It is a bacterial disease resembling the common cold in humans. It is primarily caused by Pasteurella multocida bacterium that attacks the respiratory system. You may also see various abscesses on the skin, or they may even be inside the body. The disease is transmitted by droplets. Unfortunately, the treatment is rather complicated and you need to see your vet.

Watch out for Cheyletiella dermatitis

This disease is caused by Cheyletiella parasitovorax and it is a very unpleasant matter. You can tell if you see scaly inflammation on the back of your rabbit. This disease is transmitted both directly and indirectly and it is treated with antiparasitic drugs.

Preview photo: Pixabay