Bunny Health
Please refer to our information sheets and links on this site for more
detail about bunny health. Bunnies are delicate, affectionate and lovable
creatures that can bond with their owners and the right companion bunny.
Bunnies can be toilet trained and are clean, quiet animals. Their behaviour
changes as they grow from babies to adults. With a quiet home away from
predators, the correct diet and a regular check-up from a bunny
savvy vet, indoor bunnies can live to 12 years of age.
General
Rabbits are prey animals and frighten easily, they need specialist
care from attentive and responsible bunny owners. Responsible ownership
requires an understanding of your bunny's basic needs.
Because bunnies are prey animals and can hide illness, owners need to
look for signs of altered behaviour, such as not eating or taking a favourite
treat, sitting still for long periods when this is not usually your bunny
character, loose or mucous droppings or no droppings. These are just some
of the signs which may all indicate that your bunny is ill. Do not wait
for the bunny to recover as some conditions will get worse and your bunny
could die without vet intervention. Prevention and regular checkups with
a bunny savvy vet is the best course of action. Unlike other animals,
if your bunny stops eating this is serious and you need to get them treatment
immediately. If a bunny does not eat, their gut can stop and they will
die. Some conditions such as teeth and gut problems can be the result
of incorrect diet and can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Bunnies can get mites, but they only get fleas if they are in contact
with a flea infected animal. Mites can manifest in the ears or elsewhere
on the body, and is often referred to as walking dandruff. Never treat
with mite spray from petshops. It is important to get the correct diagnosis
and medication for your bunny and DO NOT self diagnose.
Never give medication suggested by pet shops or on the Internet without
checking with your vet. Dog and cat medication is not always suitable
for rabbits. Bunnies can suffer from health conditions that are unique
to rabbits. Not all vets specialise in rabbit medicine, so it is important
to find a bunny
savvy vet or a vet that is willing to liaise with a bunny
savvy vet.
Vaccinations
Bunnies can be vaccinated from 10 weeks old and a booster administered
within a month to protect them from the deadly calici virus. Vaccinations
should be administered annually. Unfortunately, there is no vaccination
available in Australia to protect pet rabbits against the lethal myxomatosis
virus.
Desexing
Male bunnies can be desexed at about 12 weeks old or as soon
as the testicles drop (please check with your bunny savvy vet). Female
bunnies can be desexed from 5 to 8 months of age (please check with your
bunny savvy vet). Desexing your bunny will prevent cancers in the females,
and calm temperaments and aggressive behaviou rand stop urine spraying
in the males. Do not attempt to bond a bunny that is not desexed.
Important Bunny Health Dates
Calici Virus Vaccination: Can be administered from 10 weeks
old, a booster within 4 weeks of the first vaccination, then followed
by annual vaccinations.
Desexing: Males: 12 weeks old or as soon as the testicles
drop. Females: 5 to 8 months old (check with your bunny savvy vet.)
General: Regular checkups for diet advise, nail trim, teeth
check, mites and general health with your bunny savvy vet.