What Are The Common Diseases In Rabbits?

Common diseases in rabbits are not too difficult to spot. That's only if you really take the time to observe and interact with your bunny everyday. We take a look at some of the common rabbit diseases so that you'll know when to seek veterinary advice if your rabbit does have any of them.

Common Diseases In Rabbits

• Dental Disease In Rabbits
• Diarrhea In Rabbits
• Snuffles: Respiratory Tract Infection In Rabbits
• Rabbit Disease: Red Urine
• Rabbit Disease: Sore hocks
• How To Get Rid Of Fleas, Lice, And Fur Mites On Rabbits?
• Help! My Rabbit Has A Bent Neck!
• Ocular Diseases In Rabbits: Epiphora and Dacryocystitis

Ocular Diseases In Rabbits: Epiphora and Dacryocystitis

Rabbits with epiphora (watery eye) or dacryocystitis (infection of the tear sac) often present with staining and wetness of fur at the corner of the eye and occasionally accompanied by squinting and redness of the eye, thick mucous discharge or fur loss around the eye.

Epiphora is the production of excessive tears whereas dacryocystitis is the production of mucoid discharge. Causes of ocular discharge include:

• Dental disease
• Primary bacterial infections
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal disease
• Eyelid problems
• Foreign body and tear duct problems
• Environmental irritation by perfumes, fragrances, hair sprays, paint or cooking fumes, smoke, dust, etc.

To effect the best treatment, we will need to first try to identify the underlying cause and in order to do so, certain diagnostic tests may need to be performed before treatment may be instituted.

The What, the Why, and the Benefits of Sterilizing Our Pets

Sterilizing a pet involves a one-time surgical procedure to remove part of its reproductive organs. This permanently prevents the pet from reproducing.

Sterilization is most commonly carried out on dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs from the age of six months and upwards. Males have their testicles removed; females have their ovaries and uterus removed.

The surgery is performed by licensed veterinarians, and the animal is under general anesthesia throughout. Most are back to normal in 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

Why Do We Sterilize Our Pets?

The most pressing reason for sterilization is to prevent unwanted young from being born. There are already more than enough abandoned animals in the world, so sterilizing pets helps control the situation.

You may be responsible owner with no intention of breeding your pet, but "accidents" do happen. Your pet may escape from home and mate outside; another animal may enter your home without your knowledge; or it may mate with someone else's pet at a pets-and-owners gathering!

The Benefits and Precautions

Besides preventing unwanted litters, sterilization affects pets' hormones so they become less likely to wander in search of a mate or behave aggressively. They are also less prone to disease such as womb infections, and mammary and testicular cancers.

Because sterilized pets often become more home-loving, they may gain weight because owners do not correspondingly reduce their feeds! So control your pet's food intake and give it more exercise. And watch for complications like loss of bladder control in older pets - this can be treated with medication.

What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?

Like with most viral infections, a lot of the treatment is relied on the cat's own body immunity to fight the virus. The human antiviral medications used to treat human herpes viral infections can be used in cats but not without grave side effects and high costs. Therefore they are not routinely used unless in life-threatening situation.

The human alpha-interferon and a newer feline omega-interferon are alternative treatment drugs that may aid in the management of some cats. It is unlikely to lead to a cure but used only to try to lessen the severity of the clinical signs. Both are costly drugs with low success rates.

Some veterinarians would normally treat cats with suspected FHV-related cat flu or conjunctivitis with an oral L-Lysine supplement. L-Lysine is an amino acid (building block for protein) that has some antiviral properties and is very safe to use in cats with little or no side-effects at all.

It does not cure the cat of the virus but it helps to lessen the clinical signs of disease in the cat. In my opinion this is by far the best and most cost-effective "treatment" for FHV with favorable results obtained in many cats.

L-Lysine supplements come in several forms: from liquid syrups (usually together with other B vitamins in Children syrups) to tablets (GNC Lysine tablets) and recently a newly introduced paste form (Enisyl-F) specially formulated for cats have been introduced in many veterinary clinics.

If there is severe conjunctivitis or greenish nasal discharge, topical antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotics may be prescribed concurrently. L-Lysine supplementation is also recommended in times of stress or illness even if the cat does not show signs of cat flu or have an eye problem yet.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

Help! My Rabbit Has A Bent Neck!

Head tilting is a common problem in rabbits. Affected rabbits have a bent neck with the head flopping to one side to varying degrees (up to 90 degrees). These rabbits may be anorexic, wobbly when walking, trembling, paralyzed, or have more severe neurological signs.

This condition is usually due to an ear infection, middle ear infection or brain infection with either a bacteria called Pasteurella or an organism called Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Some rabbits appear to spontaneously recover from the head tilt whilst others never do despite treatment. Depending on the severity, some rabbits can go on to lead "normal" lives despite having a head tilt. Treatment usually consists of lone term supportive care, antibiotics and/or antiprotozoal medication.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas, Lice, And Fur Mites On Rabbits?

Fleas, lice, and fur mites are three of the most common ectoparasites that can affect rabbits. Being completely indoors does not preclude a rabbit from getting infested with ectoparasites.

To look for these ectoparasites, use your fingers to part the hair to look for little white or black dots on the hair shaft or one the skin scurrying away from light. The vet may even pluck some of these hairs for microscopic examination. Itchiness along with scaling of the skin may indicate an ectoparasite infestation.

These ectoparasites are transmitted through close contact with infected rabbits or contaminated environment or bedding.

Once diagnosed, these ectoparasites are easily treated with Revolution.

Sarcoptes scabeii is a mite that commonly affects rabbits. It causes a skin condition called scabies where the feet, nose, and ears become very crusty, scabby, and very itchy. Diagnosis requires the identification of the mite through skin scrapings of the affected areas.

Treatment will involve either fortnightly injections with ivermectin or topical treatment with Revolution. This skin disease is highly contagious to humans, dogs, cats, and other rabbits living in close contact with the infected rabbit.

What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?

Feline Herpes Virus of FHV is one of the most common viruses infecting cats all around the world. The word "herpes" brings a shudder to many people as we immediately think of genital warts or cold sores in our human counterparts. Do not panic for your beloved cats as these feared disease conditions do not occur in the cat.

Instead, FHV is one of the two most common viral causes of the cat flu and conjunctivitis (eye infection) in our feline friends. Affected cats often present with sneezing, nasal discharge and can have concurrent conjunctivitis. The virus usually affects only one eye in the cat. Corneal ulcers may also be present in the affected eye. These clinical signs of a FHV infection can range from being very mild to very severe and may be self-limiting in some cats. The more severe clinical signs are often seen in the young and old cats with compromised immune systems.

Diagnosis of FHV cannot be confirmed through routine diagnostic tests like a blood test. The virus may be documented by testing conjunctival samples through complicated laboratory testing however these diagnostic tests are not available in some cities. Therefore diagnosis of a FHV infection in the cat is often one of a presumptive diagnosis based on history and clinical signs.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

Rabbit Disease: Red Urine

Normal rabbit urine can be clear to turbid, and the color can vary from yellow to orange and red. Red urine can be due to pigments from the food that is the rabbit is eating or blood which will then indicate a urinary tract infection, cystitis, bladder stones, or womb cancer in female rabbits.

Your vet will need to analyze the urine in order to differentiate between pigmentation or blood and then the appropriate treatment or further diagnostics can then be instituted.

Snuffles: Respiratory Tract Infection In Rabbits

"Snuffles" is a respiratory tract infection also known as Rabbit "Flu." Affected rabbits are sneezing and have nasal discharge (watery or mucous).

There are 3 main causes of "snuffles" in rabbits, namely infectious causes, nasal foreign bodies such as hair, grass, hay, seeds etc, and tooth root abscesses/infections. The most common cause for snuffles is a bacteria called Pasteurella. However not all "snuffles" cases are due to this bacteria. There are other bacteria and viruses that can lead to respiratory tract infection too.

Infected rabbits present in varying degrees of severity. Some just present with mild clinical signs like sneezing and nasal discharge, while others present with breathing, difficulties and lung involvement.

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and/or chest x-rays and endoscopy findings. Most rabbits will respond to antibiotics but some may require long term antibiotics.

Diarrhea In Rabbits

The presence of soft stools in rabbits can be misinterpreted as diarrhea. These "soft stools" that look like a bunch of tiny grapes stuck onto the backside of rabbits are often caecotrophs which are normal.

Rabbits with diarrhea often have watery stools and are ill. Inappropriate diet, sudden changes in diet, certain antibiotics, stress, intestinal parasites, and enteritis are some of the causes of diarrhea in rabbits.

A fecal analysis is often performed to look for intestinal parasites. Treatments include giving probiotics to restore normal gut flora and supportive treatment.

Diarrhea in rabbits is a serious medical condition and warrants immediate veterinary attention especially if the rabbit stops eating and becomes dull and listless. Rabbits can die from severe diarrhea.

Dental Disease In Rabbits

Acquired dental disease (ADD) is a common condition that is almost specific to indoor pet rabbits. Wild or pet rabbits that are housed outdoors all year round with unrestricted access to grazing and browsing tend not develop this syndrome. This condition is usually due to environmental (husbandry) or genetic factors or a combination of both.

Rabbits teeth are special in that they grow continuous throughout life. They rely on chewing and gnawing to wear the teeth down. The main cause of dental disease in pet rabbits is feeding an inappropriate diet that lacks appropriate fiber content. Fractured jaws or broken teeth can also result in ADD.

Dwarf breeds are genetically predisposed to dental disease. They are often born with an overshot lower jaw or an undershot upper jaw resulting in the lower incisors being in front of the upper incisors. The resulting malocclusion can lead to problems in teeth wear in both the incisors (front teeth) and the cheek teeth sets and thus result in dental disease. The teeth of rabbits with ADD are often misshapen and curved. These can lead to pain, inappetance, abscesses, and cuts to the gums.

Examination of the mouth is not always easy to perform in a conscious rabbit. Sedation or general anesthesia may be required for a thorough oral inspection. Dental or skull x-ray may also be performed to assess the condition of the tooth roots.

The treatment of rabbit dental disease is often very difficult and long termed. This disease condition is progressive by nature and in many cases a cure may not be possible. Treatment may involve dietary management, dental intervention like teeth trimming and filing, and/or antibiotics and painkillers. In severe cases of tooth abscessation, euthanasia may be warranted.