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RabbitsFeeding a rabbit: A rabbit's diet should be made up of high fibre pellets, fresh grass, good quality hay, fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh drinking water. Up to a year old, the pellets and hay should be available ad libitum, and over a year old only hay should be ad libitum. Fresh vegetables should make up 20% of the diet. Correct feeding from an early age reduces the risks of dental disease in older animals. Teeth: A healthy set of front teeth should wear each other down, preventing overgrowth, which results in failure to eat or groom properly. Preventing the rabbit from selectively feeding will help maintain a healthy jaw bone promoting correct tooth formation. Regular inspection of the teeth is vital and overgrown teeth can be trimmed by a vet. The rear teeth also need checking as spurs may grow causing sores and loss of appetite. Well-functioning teeth are absolutely essential to a rabbits well-being. Coprophagy: Rabbits eat their own faeces; this happens at night and these are different from the pellets usually seen. These faeces are a vital source of nutrients, allowing the rabbit to make the best use of the fibre in its diet. Obesity: An overweight rabbit will have trouble bending round, and as a consequence will have gastrointestinal problems and will also have a ‘dirty’ bottom, increasing the risk of ‘fly strike’. Fly strike: MAGGOTS!!! A rabbit that cannot, or does not turn round to groom will develop matted, soiled fur around its anus, ideal for flies to lay their eggs. Open sores, or skin wounds from fighting may also be ideal from a fly’s view. Prevention: Clean, dry bedding, a balanced diet, handling of the rabbit and checking of the bottom 2 - 3 times a day. A poorly rabbit has a much greater likelihood of catching another disease. ‘Rear Guard’ available from us and can be applied every 10 weeks to prevent ‘fly strike’. Fly strike needs veterinary attention immediately, as maggots grow very quickly and may even result in the rabbit having to be put to sleep if the damage is severe. Neutering: Baby rabbits reach sexual maturity between 16 and 24 weeks old, litter mates will breed together! Two rabbits of the same sex may fight when they are mature. Getting a male castrated or a female speyed will reduce hormones, and the risk of more serious diseases as the rabbit gets older. Vaccination: Myxomatosis is caused by a virus, widely found it the wild rabbit population. The virus is carried by fleas and mosquitoes. The first signs include puffy eyelids and fever. Death is likely 2 - 3 weeks after initial contact with the virus. Animals over 6 weeks old can be vaccinated, followed by a 6 monthly or annual booster depending on the risks involved. Viral Haemorrhagic disease (VHD): Signs include not eating, fever, convulsions and sudden death. Some animals survive the initial phase but die a few weeks later from liver disease. An annual vaccination is available. For a health check or more advice please contact the surgery. |
FACT: A Rabbits teeth will grow through out its lifetime!
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