Bunnie House
Breeders of Quality Mini Lop & French Lops. Rehoming & Boarding Services. BRC Registered.
Rabbit Illnesses
ABSCESSES - Pockets of infection. If pasteurella bacteria enter a rabbit from a bite or wound the infection would cause an abscess.
BORDETELLA - Bordetella Bronchiseptica is a respiratory disease in rabbits. The bacteria is common in Guinea Pigs, Cats and Dogs and for this reason rabbits should not come into contact with them. Bordetella may also be involved in pasteurellosis.
CANKER
CHEYLETIELLA - A contagious fur mite infestation caused by the cheyletiella parasitovorax, causing dandruff and or dry skin. The mite’s life cycle is approximately five weeks and affects humans and other animals.
COCCIDIOSIS - Internal parasites. This can flare up at any time as all rabbits carry this condition in their bodies, but it is only usually triggered at stressful periods.
CONJUNCTIVITUS - An inflammation of the tissues around the eye.
EAR MITES - Ear mites can cause serious problems if not treated. They cause inflammation and crusting in the external ear canals and the crusts become thick. Affected rabbits will shake their heads and scratch their ears. Pinpoints of blood inside the ear are a clear indicator. They can be transmitted to other rabbits, and can infest fur but are easily treated.
EAR WAX
ENCEPHALITOZOON - A parasite that can cause a disease in the brain.
ENTERITIS - An inflammation or infection of the intestines.
ENTEROTOXEMIA - A severe form of Enteritis.
MAGGOTS - Fly larvae
MALOCCLUSION - Improper alignment of the teeth.
MASTITIS - Inflammation or infection of the mammary glands, often caused by pasteurella bacteria.
METRITIS - Caused by pasteurella
MOON EYE - Whiteness on the surface of the eye, also known as Wall Eye.
MYIASIS - An invasion of fly larvae into the skin, also called ‘Warbles’.
MYXOMATOSIS - Caused by the myxoma virus carried by fleas and mosquitoes. This is a deadly virus which usually results in death. The incubation period is 2 days to a week, with first signs usually being puffy eyelids, watery eyes and conjunctivitis. This is soon followed by swelling around the eyes, ears and genital region. Death follows between 18 days and 3 weeks after. It is very rare that the animal will survive, and any survival depends on the disease being treated at its very earliest stages. Most vets will advise euthanasia in the best interests of the animal. There is an annual vaccine to protect rabbits from myxomatosis, but this cannot be given to pregnant doe’s or rabbits under 8 weeks old.
PASSALURUS - Rabbit pinworm.
PASTUERELLA - The pasteurella bacteria live in the upper respiratory tract (nose and sinus). There are many factors which may cause this bacteria to multiply and cause problems, such as poor health and stress. This disease produces runny eyes, sometimes producing a white discharge. Occasionally there may be a white discharge from the nose. An outbreak of infection can be transmitted between rabbits, particularly between a doe and her kits. Keeping a rabbit clean with a healthy diet and a stress free environment all helps to prevent pasteurella outbreaks. If pasteurella bacteria enter a rabbit from a bite or wound, the infection would cause abscesses.
PNEUMONIA - Bacterial infection of the lungs.
PYOMETRA - Infection of the uterus
RINGWORM - A contagious fungal infection of the skin
SNUFFLES - A respiratory infection in the nose often caused by pasteurella. Symptoms include a thick white nasal discharge accompanied by sneezing and/or a deep wheezing throat sound. There may also be matting on the inside of the paws where the rabbit has tried to wipe his nose.
SORE HOCKS - A chronic problem in which ulcers and infection occur on the foot pads on the bottom of the feet causing severe inflammation. Its medical name is Ulcerative Pododermatis. Causes are trauma to the feet from poor housing, frequent thumping of feet, being excessively over-weight, soiled hutches, and thinning fur on feet.
SYPHILIS - A venereal disease of rabbits.
TORTICOLLIS - Caused by pasteurella
TRICHOBEZOARS - Hairballs
TYZZER’S DISEASE - An infection caused by clostridium piliforme.
UROLITHIASIS - Stones in the urinary tract, usually in the bladder.
VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE (VHD) - Caused by a calicivirus which displays symptoms of not eating, fever, apathy, coma, difficulty breathing, a mucoid foaming of the mouth or a bloody nasal discharge. It has an incubation period of 3 days, although an animal can die suddenly without displaying any symptoms. Survival following symptoms will almost certainly result in death a few weeks later due to liver disease and jaundice. There is an annual vaccine to protect rabbits from VHD.
WALL EYE - Whiteness on the surface of the eye, also known as Moon Eye.
WARBLES - Invasion of fly larvae into the skin, also known as Myiasis.
WRY NECK - A medical condition often caused by a pasteurella infection of the middle ear, that causes the rabbit to twist its neck to one side.
Seek Veterinary Advice
ACTIVITY - The animal is apathetic, retreats. Increased restlessness (with other symptoms)
BEHAVIOUR - Grinding teeth in pain. Stamping front paws. Circling and rolling. Abnormal posture. Trembling. Withdrawn in its cage, will not move.
EATING BEHAVIOUR - Refuses foods. Eats well but loses weight.
BREATHING - Quick, shallow breaths. Trembling. Shortness of breath. Coughing. Choking Spasms.
HEAD - Held inclined. Animal shakes head.
EARS - Crusty deposits. Swollen, knotty bumps on skin.
EYES - Loss of lively gleam. Appear dull and clouded.
NOSE - Purulent discharge. Animal tries to rid itself of the discharge by snorting and pawing.
MOUTH - Increased salivation.
ABDOMEN - Belly is tight and hard. Stomach is bloated, accompanied by severe pain when touched.
FUR AND SKIN - Hair loss, bald spots. Areas of inflammation, ulceration and swelling. Coat looks dull. Hair stands up.
DIGESTIVE TRACT - Severe, watery or blood tinged diarrhea, sometimes very foul smelling. Constipation that is not eased within two days.
