12/10/2024
Heatwave - how to protect your bunny from the heat.
Summer is a very dangerous time for domestic rabbits. Heat does not agree with rabbits, even more so in a hot climate like that of South Africa. In fact, heat stroke (also referred to as sunstroke) remains a leading cause of death in rabbits in our country.
Heat stroke is not simply about your rabbit feeling hot and uncomfortable. A rise in a rabbit’s body temperature creates physical and neurological symptoms culminating in organ shutdown. Even when you can get the rabbit to a veterinarian, the prognosis for recovery after heat stroke is very poor. The lucky ones that do survive still need to be monitored by an experienced vet for any delayed problems such as kidney failure.
The key is therefore prevention at all costs - especially now with the very high temperatures being predicted. It is simple: never let your rabbit overheat. Rabbits most at risk are those with thick or long coats of fur, pregnant does, dwarf breeds, overweight rabbits, kits and aged rabbits. Compounding factors should also be kept in mind:
Climate change, for example, can be deceptive as temperatures may be higher than you think or expect in your area.
Heat exhaustion or sun stroke are more prevalent in a humid climate with heat and high humidity posing a particularly dangerous combination.
In South Africa we have the added factor of electricity interruptions when you may not be able to use air-conditioning or a fan to help your bunny cool down.
Heat illness consists of two phases – heat exhaustion and then heatstroke (or sunstroke). Heat exhaustion is a less severe condition and the owner’s intervention at this stage is critical to prevent heat exhaustion progressing to heat stroke. To do this, the owner’s job is to watch the rabbit carefully for heat related signs in summer, especially when the thermometer reaches 26 to 30 degrees Celsius (about 80 Fahrenheit) or above.
Indications for heat related illness in rabbits are as follows:
- the rabbit is not eating or drinking water. Their water consumption may be confusing as some rabbits drink less water - the hotter, they feel, while others have excessive thirst.
- the rabbit’s tongue is hanging out or it is panting, which means it takes short, quick breaths with an open mouth. Panting makes the problem worse as panting is not easy for rabbits.
- the rabbit is salivating or drooling.
- the rabbit is hot to the touch.
- the rabbit is convulsing, having fits, trembling or is limp.
- the rabbit is lethargic, sleepy, looks weak, looks floppy or moves slower than usual.
- the eyes remain half closed and may appear glazed.
- there is reddening and or heating of the rabbit's ears (with or without enlarged blood vessels).
-the rabbit is acting confused or uncoordinated or staggers.
there is flaring of the nostrils with or without a clear nasal discharge.
- the rabbit is tossing his head back or from side to side while breathing very rapidly with an opened mouth.
- you may notice moisture (formed by condensation) below the nose or around the rabbit’s face.
The above signs of heat illness are VERY serious and mean your rabbit is already suffering. You need to act fast:
First, cool the rabbit down, otherwise the much more serious heatstroke can set in. To do this, one can begin by misting its ears with cool water and then take it to a rabbit-friendly vet immediately. (A partial list of rabbit-friendly vets is available on our website www.rabbitcaresouthafrica.org) However, never place the rabbit in cold water, under a cold running tap, into a bath or basin filled with cold water or apply ice or ice-water as the very low temperature could send the rabbit into shock, which may cause heart arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. If you cannot get to a vet quickly, a few other measures can be taken:
Move the rabbit to a cool place (such as a tiled bathroom), or a shaded area out of direct sunlight. Lightly spritz the rabbit with tepid to cool (not cold) water: spray all over and on the tummy and especially the ears. Gently work the cool water into the fur to get the water down onto the skin. Again, do not soak the fur and do not drip water into the ears. The aim is always to cool the rabbit down gently. The ears are critical for cooling. If you do not have a spray bottle, chill your damp fingers with ice cubes and then rub the rabbit’s ears. You can also dampen a large cotton ball in cool water (not wet and dripping) and place the ball in the exposed area of the ears (towards the bottom of the pinna). Your rabbit will most likely resist this and it is therefore better to use the spray bottle or chilled finger technique.
Drape a cool damp (not wet) towel over your rabbit’s body. If your bunny is caged, you can create a cooler micro-climate for the rabbit by draping a wet pillowcase, sheet or other thin cloth over the hutch - but always leave space for ventilation.
Again, get the rabbit to a rabbit friendly vet if possible.
In general, keep rabbits out of direct sunlight - the rabbit’s fur coat in constant, direct sunlight can be deadly. Always groom or brush your rabbit throughout the year to remove excess fur.
If you have air-conditioning in your house, switch that on. Alternatively, get a breeze through the room. Close the curtains or blinds where the rabbit is but again, allow for air to move.
For outside rabbits, provide shade and ventilation. Provide fresh water. Bring outdoor rabbits inside during the heat of the day.
Also feed you rabbits damp or slightly wet vegetables to help with hydration.
Place ice cubes in its water bowl or bottle. A clever prevention method of heat exhaustion in rabbits or even dogs, is to fill plastic bottles with water and freeze it. Take the packaging off and wrap the bottle in a towel. Your pet will move closer to the cold bottle as required. Freeze more than one bottle so that you can rotate them as the ice melts. If you leave a part of the bottle exposed, your pet may also lick the cool condensation forming on the frozen containers.
You can also place a towel-wrapped refrigerated tile or brick with the rabbit so that it can lie on it. If you first soak the brick in water, the brick will absorb the water and retain the coolness for a longer time.
Drape a very damp cloth over a frame or chair and then direct an oscillating fan onto the wet cloth but not directly on the rabbit. The fan must create rapid air movement near but not on the rabbit.
Please feel free to contact RabbitCare South Africa with your rabbit questions - our information is always free.
