Like other animals and humans, rabbits can suffer from a variety of health issues. Among the most common are respiratory tract infections, dental problems, and gastrointestinal stasis. Read on to learn more about these and other diseases.
1. Gastrointestinal Stasis
Rabbits love to groom their bodies almost as frequently as cats do. While this habit is great for maintaining hygiene, it might lead to the accumulation of hairballs in the digestive tract. In some cases, the hair can build up and cause a blockage in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, potentially resulting in severe complications or even death.
GI blockages are easily mistaken for GI stasis. While blockages require surgical intervention, GI stasis calls for a different treatment approach. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, supportive care, probiotics, and pain relievers are at the forefront of treating this condition.
GI stasis is a life-threatening health issue where a rabbit’s intestinal movements come to a complete halt. Having no intestinal motility leads to the rabbit experiencing a plethora of worrying symptoms, from bloating and diarrhea to extreme constipation and a complete lack of appetite. Dehydration and a lack of fiber in the rabbit’s diet are the two most common causes of this complication.
2. Respiratory Infections
The most common type of respiratory infection that a pet rabbit can get is called “Snuffles.” Most of us know how uncomfortable an upper respiratory infection feels like. The problem is that rabbit snuffles are caused not by a viral agent (the culprit in most human respiratory infections) leading the rabbit to feel bad for a couple of days and then recovering on its own. This condition is caused by a bacterium called Pasteurella multocida.
The vast majority of bunnies are immune to Pasteurella at least to some extent as most come in contact with the pathogen when they are young. This leads to them being able to handle an infection they develop in their later years. Symptomatically, a rabbit with snuffles will experience these signs:
- Nasal discharge
- Pink eye
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Dried discharge blocking one of the nostrils
Pasteurella can be found on multiple surfaces in a rabbit’s living environment, which is why it is paramount to keep their living enclosure as clean as possible. Dirty bedding, an inappropriate diet, as well as stress (caused by occasional situations such as travel or moving homes) can be at the root of this issue. Worse yet, this condition is often associated with other bacteria such as Pseudomonas or Staphylococcus, leading to severe generalized infections which can lead to death in immunocompromised rabbits.
3. Parasite Infestations
Like other animals, rabbits get both internal and external parasites. The second are usually a breeze to treat with either spot-on solutions prescribed by your vet or injectable medications such as ivermectin. On the other hand, internal parasites are a different matter, and the reason they’re more serious is that they often go unnoticed.
The three most common types of internal parasites that rabbits can get are Coccidia, tapeworms, and pinworms. Tapeworms aren’t as common as the other two. Moreover, there are plenty of dewormers that cannot just kill them, but also help with their remains being ejected from the animal’s body. Pinworms cause less severe symptoms as well, mainly itchiness and skin inflammation around the animal anus. They can be treated effectively with avermectin.
Coccidia infestations are not as easy to treat. Baby bunnies are especially vulnerable to this parasite. Coccidiosis can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea and weight loss. Complications like dehydration from the parasite infestation can even lead to sudden death. To make things worse, there are Coccidia strains that lead to liver damage. While it is treatable when diagnosed, you must keep an eye on your rabbit’s general health as closely as possible. The minute you notice diarrhea, you should call your vet.
4. Uterine Cancer in Unspayed Female Rabbits
Some sources suggest that up to 60% of all intact female rabbits older than the age of three develop uterine cancer. This statistic becomes even more concerning when you find out that, should your female bunny be lucky enough to live for longer than eight years, they have an 80% chance of developing a uterine tumor.
In this species, uterine cancer is a concern as it’s not just any type of tumor that affects any part of the uterus; it is an adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas are particularly aggressive and dangerous. It is a metastatic type of cancer widely known for easily and quickly spreading to adjacent organs and causing neoplasms of the mammary glands, liver, kidneys, and even the lungs.
Veterinary medicine has come a long way in the past few decades, so these days there are multiple pet therapies available for cancer. However, with an aggressive kind like adenocarcinoma of the uterus, there is almost no point in attempting to treat it. By the time a rabbit is diagnosed with this type of tumor, it has most likely spread to other organs, making therapy ineffective, painful, and expensive. Spay your female rabbit before the age of 1 to prevent them from getting uterine cancer.
5. Dental Problems
A rabbit’s teeth are one of the most important body parts they have. Without them, they wouldn’t be able to survive. Dental disease in rabbits can cause many other complications, like loss of appetite, weight loss, nasal and eye discharge, diarrhea, and more. The most common dental issues of bunnies are:
- Broken teeth
- Overgrown teeth
- Abscesses
- Sharp points in the molars
A rabbit’s teeth grow continuously, which means they need ample tooth-grinding activities and food. Hay and other fibrous options are great food options for rabbits, especially in the cold season, when they might not have a lot of choice in terms of fresh, hard vegetables. The good news is that veterinarians have multiple ways of tackling dental issues in rabbits nowadays. With mild anesthesia, they can trim a rabbit’s teeth, polish them, or extract the bad ones so that they don’t cause generalized infections.
Other Notable Health Concerns
In addition to the health issues discussed earlier, rabbits are susceptible to several other conditions that significantly impact their quality of life and that in some cases lead to fatal outcomes. One of the most common and devastating diseases is myxomatosis, which affects rabbits of all ages. This viral disease can be transmitted not only through direct contact with infected rabbits but also via vectors like mosquitoes and fleas. Myxomatosis is often fatal, making vaccination the best way to protect a rabbit.
Another serious viral illness is Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD). This disease spreads through direct contact with infected rabbits or their bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, and feces. Symptoms of RHD include blood nasal discharge, fever, loss of appetite, and respiratory distress. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this illness, but vaccines are available to prevent it. If you are a rabbit owner or planning to become one, it is essential to educate yourself about these and other recommended vaccinations to keep your pet healthy and safe.
