Tips for Taking Care of Your Rabbits.
RABBIT
When should I take my rabbit to the vet?
It’s important to have rabbits checked every six months for a general check-up. During these consultations, in addition to a general physical examination, it is recommended to internally and externally deworm the patient and administer preventive vaccines against the viruses that cause myxomatosis, viral hemorrhagic fever (old strain RHDV1), and its new variant (RHDV2) of the original strain that has possibly emerged due to a mutation. These diseases often have a fatal outcome and do not have specific treatments. Only supportive therapy can be offered to the rabbit.
Remember that these viruses are transmitted not only through direct contact between rabbits but also through fomites (feeders, drinkers, or our clothing) and through the bite of vectors such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Even if your rabbit lives indoors, it is important to have them receive these vaccines. In each case, we will advise you on the best vaccination schedule for your pet and the type of vaccine that best suits their age and habitat after their review.
First vaccination visit: €20
Myxomatosis vaccine: €14
Viral hemorrhagic fever (RHDV1) vaccine: €14
New variant of viral hemorrhagic fever (RHDV2) vaccine: €17.14
Combined vaccine for myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic fever: €30
NEUTERING AND SPAYING RABBITS
When should we consider neutering or spaying our rabbit?
In the case of females, spaying is very important to prevent health problems such as uterine or mammary tumors or false pregnancies. Neutering or spaying rabbits should also be considered to prevent behavior problems (aggression, inappropriate urination, territorial behavior and marking, etc.) as well as to improve the coexistence between rabbits or prevent reproduction.
Pre-surgical requirements: We perform a prior examination to assess whether the animal is a suitable candidate for surgery. The animal must be in good health, be over 6 months old, and weigh more than 1 kg. If everything is in order, we recommend taking a blood sample for a pre-surgical analysis.
Surgery: During surgery, the rabbit is fully monitored to ensure that the anesthetic process is optimal. Once the operation is finished, it is recommended that the rabbit stay under observation in the clinic until it is fully recovered from anesthesia and eats normally.
Post-surgical care: In rabbits, we cannot use any type of collar or restraint to prevent them from touching the wound, so it is very important to check the surgical wound daily. No wound care is necessary. An oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment will be provided, as many rabbits eat less or not at all during the first few hours after sedation due to post-surgical discomfort. Afterward, we will perform all necessary revisions until the patient is fully recovered, and these are included in the surgery concept.
*Prices:
First visit: €29.80
Pre-surgical analysis: €51.30 to €67.19
Female spaying surgery: €210
Male neutering surgery: €110
(*Prices do not include medications or baby food)
When should I take my rabbit to the vet?
We recommend checking rabbits every six months for a general check-up. During these consultations, in addition to a general physical examination, it is proposed to deworm the patient internally and externally and to administer preventive vaccines against the viruses that cause myxomatosis, viral hemorrhagic fever, and its new variant. Remember that these viruses are transmitted not only through direct contact between rabbits but also through the bite of vectors such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Even if your rabbit lives indoors or in the city, it is important to have them receive these vaccines.
External deworming protects rabbits against parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites. This is very important if they live with dogs and cats or if they go outside the home.
Internal deworming protects against the main intestinal parasites in rabbits (roundworms) as well as the prevention of the microsporidium Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Encephalitozoonosis is a disease that can be very serious in rabbits, and many of them are asymptomatic carriers.
Neutering male rabbits is recommended if the animal exhibits urine marking behavior, aggression, or territorial behavior toward other rabbits or family members, or if you want them to live with female rabbits without reproducing.
Spaying female rabbits is recommended from their sixth month of life to prevent the development of uterine tumors, ovarian tumors, or mammary tumors. These diseases are often seen in females from their third or fourth year of life.
Housing for Rabbits
The cage should be spacious enough for the rabbit to lie down and have an area for excretions and another for food. Suitable substrates that do not produce too much dust, such as paper pellets, straw, hay, or compressed sawdust, are recommended. Place the cage in an area where it is not too hot and where there are no drafts. It is very important to know that they tolerate cold well but do not tolerate heat very well. Precautions should be taken during the hottest times because they could suffer from heatstroke. It is recommended to let them out of the cage daily so that they can roam in a large and safe area. You can also provide them with wooden, paper, or cardboard toys, but make sure they do not contain any harmful chemicals for your pets.
Diet of Rabbits
They are strict herbivores, so their diet should be based on hay, green leafy vegetables (lettuce, chard, spinach, arugula, dandelion greens, celery leaves, carrots, parsley, kale, etc.), and specific pellet feed. Hay provides a lot of fiber, and they should eat an amount equal to their body weight daily. Several green leaves should be provided daily, and other vegetables can be offered sporadically. For example, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, or fruits such as apples, strawberries, etc. (as a treat), as well as other fresh or dried herbs such as dandelion, rosemary, chamomile, thyme, mint, and parsley.
When should I urgently visit the vet?
If your rabbit is lethargic, quieter than usual, or has abnormal postures indicating pain when urinating, defecating, etc.
If you see blood in the cage, in the feces, or in the urine. If the perianal area is dirty.
If your rabbit has stopped eating or drinking.
If it stops defecating or begins to produce smaller feces.
If it has diarrhea.
If it urinates and drinks much more than usual.
If it grinds its teeth (bruxism), salivates excessively, or has overgrown or misaligned incisors.
If it has excessive eye discharge, tearing, or continuous sneezing.
If it tilts its head or spins in circles (rolling or circling).