Keeping your rabbit healthy and happy is one of your biggest concerns as a rabbit owner. Several diseases can be deadly to rabbits if not treated properly.
In this blog post, I will discuss some of the most common rabbit diseases that can cause death, including symptoms to look out for and how to prevent them. By being aware of these diseases and taking proactive steps to keep your rabbit safe, you can ensure they live a long and healthy life.
So, let’s dive in and learn more about these potential threats to your beloved pet.
Why Do Rabbits Get Sick?
Like most pets, many things can make a rabbit sick. They might be exposed to germs, eat something sick, have a gene that makes them more likely to get a disease, or something else. Rabbits tend to hide signs of sickness because they are at the bottom of the food chain.
If they show signs of weakness, they could be eaten. Even though it’s not likely that your pet will be eaten, you still need to keep a close eye on it if it starts to get sick.
Symptoms Of Sick Rabbit
Rabbits are good at hiding when sick, so paying attention to changes in your rabbit is essential. Rabbits are hard to take care of, and most people have trouble finding a vet who has experience with them right away.
You should find a vet before these problems worsen. Some of these signs need to be treated right away. Most of these symptoms could be more detailed and caused by more than one thing.
- Appetite reduced
- Poop pellets are absent or reduced
- Feeling lethargic
- Grinding of the teeth
- Behavior change
- Posture or gait changes
- Breathing rapidly or abnormally
- Eye, nose, or throat discharge
- Swellings, lumps, or bumps
- Head tilt or loss of balance
Most Common Rabbit Diseases That Cause Death
Rabbits are susceptible to various diseases that can be fatal if left untreated.
RVHD (Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease)
Your rabbit must be vaccinated against viral hemorrhagic disease (RVHD), a highly contagious illness that could kill it. There are two strains: RVHD1 and RVHD2, a “new variant.” Almost all rabbits who get RVHD1 die within 48 hours, but 7 and 20% of rabbits who get RVHD2 die over several days.
Rabbits with this disease may have a high fever, lack of energy, collapse, shakes, paralysis, trouble breathing (dyspnoea), and loss of hunger.
Diarrhea
Even though diarrhea is uncommon in adults, it’s never a bad idea to watch for any signs because it might signal an infection quickly progressing or flystrike. When rabbits have diarrhea, they rapidly become dehydrated, so make sure they have access to fresh water.
You can also give them fluids with a syringe. However, more severe cases may require fluid therapy at the vet’s office. High-fiber diets will help to reduce the risk of digestive tract diseases in rabbits.
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a disease that is spread by the myxoma virus, which is usually spread by insects that bite, like flies or fleas. It is common all over the UK, especially among wild rabbits, and it is more common in late summer, fall, and early winter. If you have an illness, your lips, eyelids, and genitalia will swell up.
Most people who get infected die within 14 days. Still, there is a vaccine that protects against both viral hemorrhagic disease 1 (VHD1) and myxomatosis.
Flystrike
Rabbits are being put to death, which is a terrible thing. Flies, like bluebottles, put their eggs on the rabbit. The eggs are usually around the tail but can be in any open wound or scratch. When the eggs hatch, maggots come out and eat the rabbit’s meat, which causes the rabbit a lot of pain.
You must ensure your rabbit is clean and dry to stop the disease. If you have a flystrike, call your vet right away. Your rabbit might get better if you catch it early and don’t do too much harm. To fix the damage, you might need surgery.
Rabbit Tilt Head
A rabbit’s head may tilt because of an injury, ear mites, an ear infection caused by bacteria (otitis media or external), parasites (Encephalitozoon cuniculi), or meningoencephalitis.
Signs include:
- Shaking the head and touching the ears.
- Tilting the head and moving it around.
- Rolling around without being able to stop.
How to treat it relies on what’s wrong. Many rabbits with E. cuniculi can live full lives, but the parasite needs to be treated quickly, or it will do more damage.
Mites in Rabbit Ears
Rabbits that live in homes often have problems with ear mites. Mites called Psoroptes cuniculi irritate the walls of the ear. This is also called an “ear canker.” Ear mites cause the head to shake, the ears to flap and scratch, and the pinna and ear canal to get crusty.
Take your rabbit to the vet immediately if it has ear mites.
Most of the time, Ivermectin shots given once every 10-14 days for three treatments are the best way to treat it, but your vet will advise you on the best way to treat it.
Skin Conditions of a Rabbit
Skin problems can be very painful for your rabbit, so make an appointment with your vet if your rabbit is itchy or has dry, flaky skin, bald spots, dermatitis, or any other signs of a skin issue.
Raw, irritated skin called moist dermatitis can be seen under the rabbit’s chin or around its bottom. Several things, such as tooth disease or urine scald, can cause it. A bacterial illness called pyoderma can also happen.
Poisoning
There are some things that your rabbit shouldn’t eat. Make sure you know what the plant is and that it is safe for your rabbit to eat before you give it to it. Your rabbit shouldn’t eat plants like buttercups, rhubarb, foxglove, ragwort, dangerous nightshade, evergreens, hemlock, ivy, poppies, and yew. It should also avoid anything that grows from a bulb.
Overgrown Rabbit Teeth
Rabbits often go to the vet because they have problems with their teeth. The incisor teeth can grow up or down into the opposite lips and cheek teeth, which can cause painful ulcers on the tongue or cheeks.
The incisors grow about 2 to 3 millimeters per week and must be worn down by chewing on grass or hay. Painful swollen teeth can be avoided by eating well and looking for any problems with your teeth.
Your doctor can use a burr to check the incisor or cheek teeth or remove them. If any sores have formed, they need to be treated right away.
Many houseplants are also deadly, so ensure house rabbits can’t get to them. Your rabbit can also get sick from chemicals like weed killers, slug pellets, and some flea treatments with fipronil.
Since rabbits can’t throw up, they might not show signs of an initial response. However, they might start to have problems like increased salivation, skin allergies, heart and breathing problems, and stomach problems.
Ask your vet what to do if you think your rabbit has eaten something harmful. They’ll ask you to bring the plant’s package or more of it to the office so they can figure out the best way to treat you.
How to Prevent Illnesses?
It’s not always possible to keep rabbits from getting sick. Putting prevention into practice will help. Feed them good food, give them a clean, loving place to live, and try to keep the temperature from getting too high or too low.
It’s just as important to watch their behavior for signs of illness as it is to touch their bodies. Changes in your body will show up in your hands, and you’ll be able to spot lumps or injuries early. It doesn’t take as much time as you think. Rabbits get used to being touched quickly, and you’ll get used to caring for them.
Related: Why Is My Bunny Sneezing?
FAQ
What Antibiotic Can I Give My Rabbit?
Quinolones are the type of drugs that are most often given to ferrets and rabbits. This group of antibiotics is safe, can be taken by mouth, and is suitable for treating Pasteurella and other dangerous gram-negative infections. Enrofloxacin is used at 10–30 mg/kg IM/SC/PO every 24 hours. Metronidazole is used to treat infections that don’t need air.
Can I Give Paracetamol To My Rabbit?
People often give their pets over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol and ibuprofen incorrectly. Both of these medicines can be very dangerous for our pets. They can cause liver and kidney failure and, in some cases, even death.
What Bacterial Disease Attacks Rabbits?
The disease is called pasteurellosis. Domestic rabbits often get a disease called pasteurellosis. Pasteurella multocida, a gram-negative, non-motile coccobacillus, is the cause. Rabbits usually get infected with P multocida right after birth, and the number of rabbits colonized with the bacteria keeps increasing until they are about 5 months old.
Final Words
Ensuring the health and well-being of your rabbit is essential. Rabbit diseases can be detrimental and potentially fatal if not addressed promptly and effectively. By staying informed about common illnesses and symptoms, you can take proactive measures to prevent or treat these diseases.
Regular veterinary check-ups, proper hygiene, a balanced diet, and a clean living environment are key factors in keeping your rabbit healthy. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial when protecting your furry friend from deadly rabbit diseases. Stay vigilant and provide the best care possible to ensure your beloved pet’s long and happy life.