Rabbit emergencies: GI stasis, overgrown teeth, flystrike and vaccinations
TUREFF• •0
Because rabbits are prey animals, they tend to hide pain until a problem is advanced. Several common conditions can become life-threatening within a day, so it is worth knowing the warning signs before you need them. This is general information, not a substitute for a vet who treats rabbits.
Not eating or no droppings: treat it as an emergency
A rabbit's gut needs to keep moving. When a rabbit stops eating, or its droppings get much smaller, fewer or stop altogether, the gut can slow down or stop, a condition often called gastrointestinal (GI) stasis. Rabbit welfare and veterinary sources describe this as an emergency that can become fatal quickly.
Signs to watch for:
- not eating, or ignoring favourite foods
- few, small or no droppings
- hunched posture, reluctance to move
- loud tooth grinding, a sign of pain
- a bloated or tense tummy
Do not wait until tomorrow to see if things improve. Call your vet, or an out-of-hours vet that sees rabbits, straight away. Stasis is often a symptom of something else, such as pain, stress, dental disease or a blockage, so the vet will want to find the cause. Do not give human medicines or home remedies unless your vet tells you to.
Overgrown teeth
Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives and are kept in check by chewing hay and grass. When the diet is low in fibre, or the teeth do not meet properly, they can overgrow and form sharp edges or spurs that cut the cheeks and tongue.
Signs can include:
- dropping food, eating slowly or only eating soft food
- drooling or a wet chin
- weight loss
- runny eyes or swelling along the jaw
The front teeth can be checked at home, but the back teeth cannot, so regular vet check-ups matter. A hay-based diet is the best prevention.
Flystrike
Flystrike happens when flies lay eggs on a rabbit, usually around a dirty bottom, and the hatched maggots eat into the skin. It can develop within hours in warm weather and is an emergency.
Prevention:
- Check your rabbit's bottom and tail area at least once a day, and at least twice a day in warm weather, parting the fur to look for tiny eggs or maggots.
- Keep bedding and litter trays clean.
- Find out why a rabbit has a dirty bottom. Obesity, arthritis, dental problems and diet can all stop a rabbit grooming properly.
- Ask your vet about preventive products for the warmer months.
If you find eggs or maggots, call a vet immediately. Welfare and vet sources advise against bathing the rabbit, which can cause shock.
Vaccinations in the UK
In the UK, vets recommend vaccinating pet rabbits, including those that live indoors, against:
- Myxomatosis, a viral disease spread by fleas, mites and biting insects.
- Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD), in two strains, RHD1 and RHD2, which can spread on clothing, shoes, hay and insects as well as from rabbit to rabbit.
A combined vaccine covering myxomatosis and both RHD strains is available, with boosters usually given every year. Some rabbits, such as those used for breeding, may need a different vaccine schedule, and your vet will advise on which product and timing suits your rabbits. Vaccine availability and recommendations can change, so check with your practice. In other countries, which diseases are present and which vaccines are licensed differ.
Build a rabbit first-aid plan
- Find a vet that sees rabbits, and know which out-of-hours service they use.
- Weigh your rabbits regularly to catch gradual weight loss.
- Know what normal droppings and eating look like for each rabbit.
- Keep a carrier ready.
Have you dealt with any of these with your own rabbits? Share what you noticed first, or ask a question, in the comments. Other owners' early warning signs can help someone act in time.