22/11/2024
Your rabbits 🐇 health ❤️
what to look 👀 out for
Make sure you health check your rabbits weekly and look out for any changes in their behaviour every day – rabbits can be very good at hiding any health issues until they are really suffering. Sometimes, even the smallest thing, such as their poo looking a little smaller than normal or not rushing out to receive fresh food 🥕straight away, can be a clue to a poorly rabbit. If you have any concerns, act quickly and contact your vet 🧑⚕️
Your rabbits’ life expectancy
Rabbits tend to live for between 8 and 12 years, though many survive into their teens.
How to health check your rabbit
Ideally, bring your rabbits indoors and sit them on a towel so they are comfy.
Use some small scales to check their weight. The average breed rabbit, like the dwarf lop, should weigh between 2.2 and 2.5kg once fully grown. Your rabbit should appear lean and pear shaped. Large shoulders or a double chin is a sign of obesity
Check their nail length and clip, if needed
Feel over their body for any lumps and bumps. These often appear under the jaw line due to dental problems, or along the legs if they have been in a recent fight
Check their ears, skin and fur for any signs of parasites
Check their eyes. If one or both eyes is weeping, this could mean they have dental disease. Swollen, red, puffy eyelids can also be early signs of myxomatosis
Check their mouth and front incisors for any signs of unusual growths
Check their nose for any discharge or sounds of noisy breathing
Your rabbits should appear bright, alert and inquisitive with a healthy looking coat
Monitor their hopping. Rabbits should never appear to walk on their tiptoes. This can indicate spinal problems
Check their bottom area for a build-up of faeces, blocked glands or signs of fly strike. All can be an indication that your rabbit is overweight
Check that your rabbit doesn’t have head tilt or appears to be swaying to one side. This could be a symptom of E. cuniculi
Lastly, check their litter trays and accommodation for any signs of abnormal poo, as this can be an early sign of several life threatening illnesses.