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Animal
House Folly
Farm Blog
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Peter Rabbit's mother knew what she was doing when she gave him Chamomile Tea after his adventures in Mr Macgregor's vegetable garden. Chamomile is highly effective in calming digestive disturbances in both humans and greedy little bunnies. As Beatrix Potter was a naturalist and countrywoman as well as a gifted artist and writer she would have known first hand the efficacy of herbal cures. The joy of keeping these delightfully cheeky animals is unfortunately offset with a variety of illnesses common to bunnies. Many are preventable with correct husbandry and others treatable if early symptoms are recognised. An experienced "rabbit friendly" vet can provide the best advice on current antibiotics and anaesthetics known to be safe for your pet but there are also complementary and home remedies that are effective in curing many common conditions. Abscesses are painful swellings that appear suddenly, caused by fighting or from cuts and wounds sustained by sharp edges on feeders etc. This condition is treated by clipping the fur away from the wound, making an incision at the lower edge of this so that it can drain freely and then bathing with warm salty water and a mild antiseptic twice a day until the abscess finally finishes discharging. The Homeopathic remedy Arnica can be effective in treating both wounds and bruising. This can be obtained in a liquid form making it easier to administer. Canker is caused by the parasite "psoroptes cumiculi" that infest the external ear canal causing a bacterial infection that forms a thick brown crust. Noticeable symptoms are the rabbit shaking its head and constantly trying to scratch its ear. Some owners prefer to treat the rabbit with an endectocide such as Ivomectin administered with a needleless syringe although it can also be treated with olive or mineral oil. The hutch should be cleaned and disinfected. Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite found in the liver or intestine. Rabbits develop this by licking dirty feet or coats and by eating/drinking contaminated food and water. It is most prevalent in hutches with unchanged bedding and dirty food and water dishes. The animal becomes extremely dehydrated and sits in a hunched position with its feet forward. There will be watery diarrhoea, a potbelly and the coat is dull and lifeless. This disease causes great losses amongst young rabbits but most brands of pellets contain a coccidiostat. Comfrey, blackberry and strawberry leaves will immediately stop the diarrhoea. Even the most unwell rabbit will nibble on these plants. However, it is important that the animal be encouraged to eat again otherwise it will become too weak to recover. Conjunctivitis can result from a bacterial infection such as pasteurella, ammonia fumes from urine, draughts, an ingrown eyelash or a dusty atmosphere. The eye will weep constantly and the rabbit's front feet will be matted from trying to wipe the tears away. Cold tea, a commercial eye ointment available from the vet and Homeopathic Euphrasia lotion is often effective. Chronic runny eye is caused by a blocked tear duct. Unlike humans a rabbit's ducts are U shaped sometimes trapping debris in the bottom causing tears to spill out and burn the skin beneath the eye. A vet can sedate the rabbit and flush out the ducts with a saline solution. Sometimes this treatment is ineffective but bathing the scalded area with a saline solution will keep the animal comfortable. Constipation or fur/wool block is caused by the rabbit licking its coat and swallowing the fibres causing an obstruction in the stomach. The rabbit loses it appetite and only produces hard dry droppings. This is a particular problem in Angora rabbits where, in some cases, wool block has been known to lead to death. The enzyme in unsweetened pineapple and papaya juice effectively breaks down the blockage and can be administered in their drinking water or via a syringe. Bananas, greens and hay should be provided to prevent this occurring and sometimes treating with mineral oil or molasses will help. The Homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica is useful in stimulating the digestive system. Enteritis, bloat or scours is one of the most common causes of death in rabbits. The animal will appear apathetic, grinding its teeth and squinting its eyes. Usually there is terrible dehydration, dramatic weight loss, copious smelly diarrhoea (often containing a clear mucoid substance) and even haemorrhaging. The rabbit should be taken off pellets and fed hay with plenty of water to drink. Once again strawberry, blackberry and comfrey leaves are effective in stopping the scouring. Homeopathic Cinchona is useful in alleviating the dehydration. After a few days pellets can be gradually reintroduced. Heat stress from severe changes of temperature will result in the rabbit lying in a prostrate position panting rapidly. Keep a bottle of water in the freezer and place it in the cage alongside the rabbit to help lower the temperature. Animals kept in outside hutches should be kept in the shade. Heat stress occurs suddenly and can kill quickly so don't delay treating the condition. Mastitis occurs in feeding does and is an inflammation of the milk glands. Sometimes resulting from the teats being banged when the doe hops into the nest box to feed her young it also occurs when there are too few kits in a litter to draw all the milk from a heavily milking doe. A painful swelling will appear and the doe will appear reluctant to allow her young to suckle. She will lose her appetite and drink a great deal. As bacteria cause mastitis it can be treated with an antibiotic such as Baytril. A high standard of hygiene and quick action at the first appearance of any symptoms will prevent this condition. Obesity is just caused by plain overfeeding! This can result in breeding difficulties and affected rabbits may become sterile. Sudden death can occur. The cure is simple: food should be reduced and exercise gradually increased. Paralysis occurs in the hind legs. Usually caused by injury such as a broken back from the rabbit receiving a fright that causes them to jump and snap their spine. Can also occur by the rabbit being dropped. There is no pain but there is also no cure for this condition and the animal should be destroyed. Red Water is actually not a problem but occurs when the urine is alkaline causing this characteristic reddish colour. Sometimes caused by colder temperatures, feeding too many greens (such as Lucerne hay) or carrots. Providing plenty of water will help alleviate this. Rabbit Calicivirus Disease or RHD is a highly contagious and fatal virus. It is unknown how this spreads although it's believed a vector such as insects, animals or humans can spread the disease. Symptoms include lethargy and depression and the animal usually dies within a few hours. Sometimes there will be haemorrhaging from the nose and rear end. There is no treatment for RHD although a vaccine "Cyclap" offers some protection. "Snuffles" is a highly contagious respiratory disorder caused by environmental stress. The rabbit sneezes frequently and will try to wipe away a thick white discharge from the nose causing its front legs to become matted. The condition is highly contagious and incurable. Antibiotics such as baytril can mask symptoms but if the animal experiences any stress in the future their system can break down again so some owners opt for euthanizing the animal. A few breeders have found Homeopathic Pulsatilla combined with Silica highly effective but there is no current medical research to back up their claims. However snuffles caused by staphalacocus or bordatella bacteria is curable with antibiotics and also responds to colloidal silver applied topically and in the animal's drinking water. Rabbits should never be subjected to sudden noises so sometimes keeping a radio playing in the rabbitry will help prevent the condition. Always let them know when you're approaching. Talking before you arrive is a good way to do this even though you may receive some strange looks from the neighbours. Handling rabbits frequently helps reduce their reaction to stressful situations. Sore hocks can be caused by a rough surface or build up of manure on the cage floor, a fungal infection or from a genetic predisposition (the rex breed is particularly prone to this condition). The rabbit is reluctant to put any weight on its hind legs and will move in a very unusual fashion. If the rabbit is kept in a wire bottomed cage this should be checked for worn galvanizing. The hocks can be treated with a mild disinfectant and then a Vitamin E ointment or calendula wash can be applied. Preparation H (a human haemarhoid ointment) is also useful. There is definitely a place in animal husbandry for both allopathic and complimentary healing to work side by side and there is some satisfaction in knowing that you are following a practice that can benefit both your animals and your bank balance. However a veterinarian should always be consulted if you are concerned about your pet's health. ©Jen Longshaw 2007 Please do not copy in any manner, print or electronic, without permission from the author. Subscribe to a FREE Newsletter. CELEBRITY PETS |
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