Butterfly Bunnies Health Problems

Please read carefully – Problems

 

Rabbit Health Problems

Young Rabbits

Young rabbits (up to 10-12 weeks old) can be prone to stomach problems, brought on by various causes: Stress, travelling, changes in diet, infections of the gut & bacteria etc.

Symptoms – enteritis / bloat / gastric stasis etc.

 

Please bear in mind all young Rabbits are very vulnerable to digestive problems and sudden changes in diet etc can be dangerous.

 

DO NOT over feed your rabbit, some rabbits have a poor tolerance of vegetables especially under age of 16wks so proceed with a caution otherwise severe diarrhoea may occur with fatal results.

 

With making changes do it very slowly.

 

Make sure fresh water is always available for your bunny.

 

Mucoid enteritis/gut stasis/bloat

Mucoid enteritis, gut stasis and bloat are the commonest killers of rabbits, especially those under 6 months of age.  Bloat tends to come on suddenly without any warning, and is often occurs in the final stages in a rabbit with gut stasis or mucoid enteritis.  Gut stasis occurs when the gut motility slows down or grinds to a complete halt, with the result that nothing can get through and gases start to build up.  Mucoid enteritis is usual accompanied with mucous in the droppings and/or diarrhoea.  Isolated cases of these conditions may be triggered by stress, such as moving to a new home, fighting with another rabbit, changes in diet etc., but there is also an infectious form that can kill high numbers within a herd.  The onset of symptoms is sudden, and include some but not necessarily all of the following:   loss of appetite, few or no droppings, small misshapen droppings, sitting huddled in a corner or stretched out in obvious pain, bloated stomach, diarrhoea, jelly-like substance (mucus) being passed. This condition is extremely serious and the rabbit must be taken immediately to the vet.  60% of rabbits under 6 months of age affected with this illness die, adults having a better recovery rate with 30% fatalities.

 

Diarrhoea symptoms

In mild cases, rabbit produces a small amount of smelly runny droppings. In severe cases, rabbit produces smelly, very runny droppings, has lack of appetite, is lethargic and listless.

 

Rabbit diarrhoea is usually caused by them eating too many greens, especially if spoiled or deteriorated. It can also be caused by stress, damp bedding, cold or draughts, or an infection. In mild cases where apart from a small amount of diarrhoea, your rabbit is lively and eating. Remove all food, clean their home, feed only fresh hay, provide fresh water, and keep them warm. Clean your rabbit if necessary, with mild soapy water (baby shampoo is ideal).

 

If the problem persists or your rabbit has recurring bouts of diarrhoea, you should consult your vet as there may be a medical cause, such as an infection.

 

Coccidiosis symptoms

Rabbit has diarrhoea, bloated stomach, sits in a corner, is shaking, makes a loud grinding noise with teeth.

Coccidiosis is caused by a parasite that lives in the rabbit's intestine or liver. It is highly contagious, so their hutch must be cleaned thoroughly.

 

Running eyes symptoms

Rabbit has watery eyes.

This may be caused by your rabbit being exposed to a draught, in which case the draught should be eliminated. It could also be caused by a speck of dirt in their eye, or be the result of dusty hay. In this case you should wipe your rabbit's eye with cotton wool soaked in warm, salted water that has been boiled and left to cool. Wipe from inner to outer corner of the eye.

If the eye continues to water take your rabbit to the vet, as there may be a more serious underlying cause.

Rabbit has red and swollen eyes, with pus discharge.

This is likely to be an infection and you must take your rabbit to the vet.

Amoxicillin, this common antibiotic is extremely toxic to rabbits.

Bacterial Infections

Rabbits can get a range of them including salmonella.

Heat Stroke – rabbits need lots of fresh water and ventilation in the summer since this can be fatal.  They get over heated at 85 degrees.

Eating the Cecotrophes (looks like their feces pellet, but has mucus covering it) is normal and healthy.  Okay, it’s disgusting for us humans to watch, but cecotrophes have high level of vitamins and are re-digested with more important nutrients.  See suggestion for a litter box for a rabbit recovering from surgery at Scoop on Litter.

 

Dental

Malocclusion.  This is when rabbit’s teeth are overgrown.  Rabbit teeth grow throughout their lives and on a yearly basis they can grow 4 to 5 inches.  So the long fibres of hay are important for the grinding action to keep their teeth worn down.  However, some rabbits may not have a normal wearing action when they chew and develop a malocclusion.  It can be severe enough to keep them from eating and so the teeth will need to be trimmed as needed.  In severe case the teeth are removed.  By the way, do not try clipping the teeth yourself; they require special scissors so the teeth do not crack.

 

Ear Mites

Get the rabbit to a vet for treatment you will see crusty, inflamed inner ears.  This condition is easily treated and even severe cases can clear up with proper treatment.

 

Hairballs

This is especially dangerous for rabbits because unlike a cat, rabbits cannot vomit.  Long-haired breeds are particularly susceptible.  A constant supply of timothy hay is the most important food for rabbits to help with proper digestion.  Timothy hay is available at farm and feed stores by the bale or in smaller amounts from pet stores.

 

High Blood Calcium

Thick urine is one sign of hypercalciuria.  It can become painful and cause kidney stones so it is important to have a vet examine the rabbit. The colour of your rabbit’s urine is related to its diet so don’t be alarmed if it is red after a lot of carrots.

 

Paralysis

A rabbit has a very fragile backbone.  If the rabbit is not handled properly it can leap out of your arms and break its back.  It can also break a leg by making contact with a hard surface when it is struggling.  If the rabbit injures its back, it can suffer paralysis in one or both back legs.  See a vet about this.  A rabbit can have a good life even as a disabled bunny and cart that are made for dogs can be outfitted for rabbits.  Euthanasia doesn't have to be your last resort in this case.

 

Snuffles

looks like they have a cold And is treatable with antibiotics.  Take your rabbit to a vet immediately especially if you have more than one rabbit.  If you do, take them all since it is highly contagious.

 

Sore Hocks

Usually caused from wire flooring in a cage or wet bedding or flooring.  Rabbits don’t have food pads like dogs and cats.  Be sure the cage has a solid floor with hay or a towel over the floor to give it a cushion.  If your rabbit has a medical problem and is urinating on its hind legs and they are wet…. wash the urine off.

 

Rabbits Dropping

The droppings of a rabbit will tell you a lot about its health.  The photo below shows normal, round and firm droppings, and a healthy rabbit will pass lots of these every day.

 

Normal dropping

 

The size of the actual droppings will vary with the size of the rabbit, but if the size of the droppings changes suddenly and become small and hard, this indicates that the rabbit may have the beginning of gut stasis, a serious condition that is often fatal.

 

Ad-Normal Dropping

 

Soft smelly droppings that indicate there is a problem, usually linked to a diet that is not healthy.  This can then stick to the rabbit's tail and bottom, causing a major problem.

 

Smelly Dropping

 

Droppings which have some fur mixed in, resulting in what is often referred to as a "string of pearls".  Rabbits usually pass fur without any problems, but if the gut motility has slowed for any reason the fur can become lodged and then can cause a blockage.  It is not the fur that causes the problem, it is only that the gut has slowed down that it then becomes an issue.  Giving pineapple juice to help dissolve the fur is a total waste of time (unless the rabbit likes it of course)  as scientific tests have shown that the fur would have to be sitting in a pool of the juice for several days for it to have any significant effect upon the actual hair.

 

 

Dropping With Fur

 

 

Dirty Bottom

Very common problem that can normally be completely cured. A rabbit

with a dirty bottom is sadly very common.  There are several possible causes, usually diet orientated.

Carrots and apples are two of the worst things you can give a rabbit as far as sticky bottoms if this keeps accruing please stop carrots and apples.

Use warm water to clean.

 

 

Guinea Pigs Health problems

 

Guinea pigs are generally fine if well looked after, however look out for the following symptoms. Please note that im not a qualified vet, therefore if you are worried about the health of your pet, seek medical advice from a qualified person without delay.

 

1.Diarrhoea
This might be a symptom of a serious ailment, and professional advice is advised.
2.Constipation
Might be caused by lack of greens.
Treat with plenty wet veg, or in severe cases, medicinal liquid paraffin. (seek medical advice)
3.Bumble foot
Swelling in the foot and slight redness.
It is not contagious but treatable with antibiotics.
This is potentially a dangerous condition, so do not delay.
4.Worms
Seen as white streaks in their droppings usually comes from grazing on grass.
This is a case for the vet however.
5.Bladder Stones
The symptoms are obvious pain on urination, probably accompanied by unusual squeaking, and arching of the back.
One reason for stones developing could be lack of fluid, and not enough acid in the diet.
Check if your guinea pig drinks regularly, and offer celery, beetroot, apple, but not lettuce.
6.Lice
White in colour, very small, and crawl about on his fur.
Treat with a suitable shampoo available on prescription.
7.Eye problems
sore, runny eyes sometimes occur particularly if the pig is kept in a draught.
Treatment is usually by eye drops or ointment on prescription.
8.Dental problems
We were worried when our Bobby broke his two front incisors, and seemed to be having difficulty in coping with lettuce etc.
However a guinea pig actually has 20 teeth, and will be merely inconvenienced whilst the front ones grow in again (which seemed to happen quite rapidly)
Sometimes the front teeth need to be cut, but do not attempt this unless you know what you are doing!
9.Lameness
Often caused by lack of vitamin C (see section on diet above)
Guinea pigs are not particularly hardy animals, falls must be avoided in particular, and they should never be left unattended if uncaged, for their own good!
Treating your guinea pig yourself is an option if you are experienced and know what you are about, but advice from here must be always seek professional help if in doubt