Author: PetGd

Epiphora in Rabbits Epiphora is characterized by an abnormal flow of tears from the eyes, usually occurring as a result of poor eyelid function, blockage of the nasal and eye portion of the tear ducts (nasolacrimal), or eye infection or inflammation, which may all be precipitated by by dental disease or tooth abscess. As rabbits have only one tear duct — located very close to the tooth and gums — the duct can be easily blocked due to oral disease (longtooth impaction is also very common in rabbits). Epiphora may occur also due to longstanding respiratory disorders that block the nasal passages. Congenital tooth malocclusion, and congenital eyelid deformities are usually seen in young rabbits. Middle-aged rabbits, meanwhile, usually suffer from cheek tooth elongation and subsequent epiphora. And dwarf and lop breeds often show congenital tooth malocclusion, exposing them to blocked tear ducts. Dwarf and Himalayan breeds also often suffer from glaucoma; more rarely, glaucoma affects the Rex and New Zealand White breeds. Symptoms and Types Rabbits suffering from epiphora will typically have a history of dental disease, incisor overgrowth, and upper respiratory infection. Other common symptoms associated with epiphora include: Lethargy Depression Hunched posture Constant hiding or unwillingness to move Inability to keep food in the mouth (i.e., constantly dropping food) Loss of hair, crusts, and matted fur around the face Red eyes, sometimes with thick discharge Bulging eyeballs and facial masses (especially those with tooth root abscesses) Causes There are various oral and eye dysfunctions that may lead to epiphora, including: Abnormal formation of nasal ducts and eye structure Nose inflammation or sinusitis Injury or fractures of the lacrimal or maxillary bones (the bones close to the eye orbits/tear ducts and the upper jaw, respectively) Tumors in the conjunctiva, medial eyelids, nasal cavity, maxillary bone, sinuses Foreign bodies in the eye (e.g., hay, litter, bedding) Exposure to chemicals used for home or cage cleaning Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eyeball) Glaucoma (high fluid pressure on the eyeball) Paralysis of the facial nerves   Diagnosis Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your rabbit, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have led to this condition, such as dental problems or respiratory infections. A sample of fluid and/or discharge will then be taken from the rabit’s eyes and nasal passages for bacterial culture and analysis of body fluid, which will help to diagnostically differentiate from other conditions that cause discharge from the eye. For visual diagnostics, your veterinarian can use X-rays of the skull to examine your rabbit for tumors or injuries to the bones of the skull, but computed tomography (CT) imaging is better than X-rays for localizing any obstructions and to characterize any associated lesions that are present. If an obstruction appears to be present, a nasal duct flush will confirm obstruction and may also dislodge the foreign material, if present. Meanwhile, a fluorescein stain, a non-invasive dye that shows details of the eye under blue light, may be used to examine the eye for abrasions or foreign objects.   Treatment In addition to treating the primary eye disease (conjunctivitis, ulcerative keratitis, uveitis) or obstructing lesion (nasal or sinus mass), your veterinarian may prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics. Living and Management Recurrence is common in rabbits with nasolacrimal (the nasal cavity and the lacrimal/tear ducts) obstruction, but early detection, intervention, and treatment provide a better long-term prognosis. Moreover, keeping the animal’s face clean and dry is crucial for preventing complications. Conversely, rabbits with severe dental disease (especially those with tooth root abscesses and severe bone loss) have limited chance of recovery. In some cases, the nasolacrimal duct may become completely obstructed. Depending on the severity of the underlying cause, a rabbit with epiphora will require significant monetary and time investment. In some cases, epiphora may even be lifelong. Featured Image: iStock.com/kerkla

Rabbits are not all bred to be equal — in size, that is. Some are bred to be small  and cute, and others, well, they are bred to be giant. Not a Harvey size giant (you know, the six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch tall invisible rabbit that used to keep James Stewart company in the 1950s eponymous film), but they do grow to be much bigger than regular-sized rabbits.   Here’s a little information about five of the most popular giant rabbit breeds.   The Giant Angora is a big critter. This bunny weighs in at around 9 pounds and is the largest of the angora variety. A very fluffy bunny with a wool undercoat, it needs intense daily grooming. Hope you’ve got that brush handy. The Giant Angora is also very gentle, so it is great around kids.   The British Giant is rarely seen outside of the U.K. But this rabbit is big, starting at 12.5 pounds. It has a kind and sweet personality, the type you’d definitely take home to grandma. But because of its size, it needs plenty of room. No one wants a cramped rabbit. It’s just not right. The British Giant also comes in different colors, so you can choose one to match your decor.   The Checkered Giant weighs in at around 11 pounds and is named after its peculiar black and blue spotted coat. This rabbit is especially active, so be prepared to provide lots of room for it to move about in. It’s great for hours of playtime, too.   The Giant Chinchilla is not a larger version of the Andean rodent, but a cross between the Flemish Giant rabbit and regular Chinchilla breeds. It weighs about 12 to 14 pounds and is frequently sold commercially for its meat. No word on the quality or toughness of the meat, but remember, you’re looking for a pet and not dinner.   The Flemish Giant. This bunny may tip the scales anywhere between 13 and 14 pounds. It has even been known to reach 22 pounds or more, which would probably make it a heavy weight fighter in the World Rabbit Boxing Association, if there actually were such an association. Here’s what makes the Flemish Giant an excellent pet: it is very laid back, more dog-like than rabbit; it comes in various colors, including black, blue, fawn, gray and white; and it is one of the oldest recognized rabbit breeds. It’s like owning a humongous, long-eared piece of the past. Because of its temperament, the Flemish Giant is also well suited for a family with kids.   So now that you know a little more about the various giant bunny breeds available for purchase, there is only one question you should ask yourself when picking one out: How big is too big?

Pneumonia in Rabbits   Pneumonia occurs when there is a severe inflammation in the lungs leading to dysfunction of the entire respiratory system. This inflammation may be due to a bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic infection, or because the rabbit has inhaled a foreign object into its lung. Environmental factors, such as smoke or chemicals, an inability to swallow, coma, and dental disease may also lead to pneumonia. Symptoms and Types Some common signs seen in all four major types of pneumonia include: Anorexia Weight loss Lethargy Fever Sneezing Excessive salivation Exercise intolerance Nose discharge Eye discharge Facial abscesses Difficulty breathing Coughing is not usually a symptom seen in rabbits The bacterial form of pneumonia occurs when the responsible organism enters the lower respiratory tract, primarily through inhalation or choking, but an organism can also enter the body through the bloodstream. The body responds severely with bronchitis, swelling, lack of blood supply, tissue death, abscess formation, and even lung collapse. If the animal has a poor immune system, then even bacteria that are normally present in the mouth, throat and lungs can become infectious. Due to all of this, there may be very low levels of oxygen available in the blood. Fungal infections usually occur when the spores are inhaled, entering the lung (and sometimes the bloodstream). This triggers the rabbit’s immune system to send white blood cells to fight the invading organism. These cells are then intercepted and engulfed by the organisms, releasing a chemical (cytokine) which impairs oxygen distribution in the lungs. Viral infections occur in much the same way, except it is the virus which enters the lung and releases the cytokine. However, viruses also make rabbits more susceptible to bacterial infection; for this reason, bacterial pneumonia can be a related complication of viral pneumonia. Parisitic pneumonia, on the other hand, occurs when a parasite enters the skin or is inhaled, causing cellular damage in the lungs and depriving the rabbit of oxygen. Diagnosis Rule out other respiratory and heart disorders Urine analysis Blood serum analysis with tests specifically to identify the infectious organism (i.e., bacteria, fungus, virus) X-rays of the chest region to identify abscesses and lesions Cellular analysis of discharge from the nose and throat   Treatment If you suspect pneumonia in your rabbit you must take it to the veterinarian immediately, as untreated cases can become fatal. If the rabbit is suffering from anorexia, fever, weight loss, or lethargy, hospitalization may be required; electrolyte and fluid therapy is also helpful for maintaining and hydrating the rabbit. Your veterinarian will prescribe antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, or antibiotics, depending on the specific organism and which prescribed chemical is needed to destroy the infection. If the chest or lungs are congested, oxygen (nebulization) therapy may be used to clear the rabbit’s airways. Living and Management The rabbit’s activity should be restricted, whether or not it needs hospitalization. Also, it is imperative that you encourage your rabbit to eat during treatment and following treatment. In addition to its pellet diet, offer a large selection of fresh, moistened greens such as cilantro, romaine lettuce, parsley, and carrot tops. If the rabbit is refusing to eat, a syringe of gruel may be necessary. Your veterinarian will advise you on the best way to feed your rabbit, and which foods are best under the specific circumstances. Featured Image: iStock.com/skynesher

Polyuria and Polydipsia in Rabbits Polyuria is defined as greater than normal urine production, and polydipsia as greater than normal water consumption. The average normal water intake for rabbits is 50-150 mL/kg body weight daily. This is the general expectation of water consumption, since rabbits that are fed large amounts of water-containing foods, such as leafy vegetables, will drink less water than those that are on a dry diet of hay and pellets. Normal urine production is generally expected to be between 120-130 mL/kg body weight per day. The balance between urine production and thirst are controlled by interactions between the kidneys, pituitary gland, and the hypothalamus center in the brain. Excess thirst usually occurs as a result of excess urination, as the body responds to the loss of fluid and attempts to to maintain hydration. The rabbit’s plasma fluids become highly concentrated, and this activates the thirst mechanisms. Occasionally, excess urine occurs as the result of excess thirst. In this situation, blood plasma becomes very diluted because of the excessive water intake, stimulating the center that causes frequent urination. This condition mainly affects the kidney and the heart system. Symptoms and Types Excessive thirst – drinking much more than normal Excessive and frequent urination, possibly with occasional urinary incontinence Causes Renal (kidney) failure Hepatic (liver) failure Drugs Diabetes Large quantities of sodium chloride Behavioral problems, etc. Diagnosis There are several possible causes for polyuria and polydipsia, so your veterinarian will most likely use differential diagnosis to find the underlying cause. This process is guided by deeper inspection of the apparent outward symptoms, ruling out each of the more common causes until the correct disorder is settled upon and can be treated appropriately. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. Visual diagnostics will include ultrasonography and X-ray imaging of the abdominal region. Your veterinarian will be looking for some of the more obvious and common causes, like crystals (stones) in the urine and/or urinary tract, bacterial infection, and pus cells in the urine, indicative of an immune reaction to an infection in the urinary organs. Treatment It is imperative to continue providing water until the mechanism of the disease and the cause of it are clear and the appropriate medications can be prescribed. Encourage plenty of oral fluid intake by offering your rabbit fresh water, wetting leafy vegetables, or flavoring water with vegetable juice. Offer a large selection of fresh, moistened greens such as cilantro, romaine lettuce, parsley, carrot tops, dandelion greens, spinach, collard greens, and good-quality timothy and grass hay instead of alfalfa hay. If your rabbit cannot or will not ingest enough food and water on its own to recover, you will need to maintain fluid levels and hydration by stomach tube feeding of water and nutrients. If kidney stones were found to be the underlying cause of the polyuria, your veterinarian will instruct you to decrease calcium sources, at least until the problem is resolved. Dehydration can rapidly become life threatening. To make sure that your rabbit is sufficiently hydrated, you will need to commit to frequent monitoring of urine output and water intake throughout the day.

Trichobezoars in Rabbits A trichobezoar is a technical reference for a mat of hair that has been ingested, and that is often combined with thick or undigested food. It is located in the stomach and/or intestines. It is not abnormal to find hair in a rabbit’s stomach, since they self-groom, and this normally would not cause symptoms or be a cause for concern or a sign of disease. However, inspissated stomach contents (thick, dry, and less fluid and motile), which may include hair, is an abnormal finding and a cause for further inspection. The finding of inspissated contents or a mass of hair may suggest that your rabbit is receiving too little fiber in its diet, or that there is a problem with its gastrointestinal tract. Unlike cats, which also can suffer from excessive trichobezoars, rabbits are not physically capable of vomiting the contents of their stomachs. For this reason, everything that goes into a rabbit’s mouth must be able to pass through the digestive tract, otherwise, the presence of excess hair can lead to severe complications, such as intestinal blockage. If the issue is not resolved quickly, the condition can be fatal. Symptoms and Types The signs, symptoms, and type of trichobezoars suffered by the rabbit can depend largely on the causes for the disease and the severity of the problem. Some common signs and symptoms of matted hair in the stomach may include: Inappropriate eating habits, including consumption of too many pellets, cereals, and grains during the day History of illness or stress Weight loss Chronic disease Scant and small fecal pellets Diarrhea Abdominal distension Slow movement in the stomach, distension or hardening of the stomach Firm ingestible material found in the stomach Few abdominal sounds coming from the stomach Delayed emptying of the stomach Abdominal pain on palpation or touching of the stomach Decreased activity, and too much time spent in caged quarters Teeth grinding, hunched posture and other signs of pain Weakness or collapse Symptoms of shock Causes There are several causes for trichobezoars, or hairballs, in the stomachs of rabbits. These include improper nutrition, and dehydration of the stomach contents. Sometimes metabolic diseases, pain, or stress can contribute to the formation and accumulation of hairballs or matted hair in the stomach. Usually, the finding is that too little gastrointestinal motility is to blame for the collection of hair and other materials in the stomach. One of the culprits may be feeding the rabbit too little hay or coarse fiber, necessary for pushing contents through the digestive tract. Anorexia – an inability to eat — or simply a prolonged poor appetite can also contribute to the problem. Diagnosis There will always be conditions to rule out prior to diagnosing trichobezoars, or related conditions. Diagnostic imaging, such as what can be viewed on X-ray, will allow your veterinarian to investigate the functions of the colon and gastrointestinal tract, and to view the stasis (obstruction), or inability of the digestive tract to pass fecal matter through to the anus. Your doctor will need to determine if there is in fact an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract, or in the motility, and whether a life-threatening emergency may exist. If an obstruction us found, emergency treatment will be necessary, as this can quickly because a life threatening situation. In acute (sudden) cases, shock may occur, so it is important to take sensible action quickly. Distension of the stomach is usually clear, and a quick inspection by your veterinarian will find food and hair in the gastric contents. Ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool for visualization of the stomach’s contents, and to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment Severe bloating of the abdomen can be life-threatening, so prompt treatment will be vital to the life of your rabbit. If you find your rabbit with an abnormally distended belly, you will need to take it to the veterinary clinic to be evaluated as soon as possible. Treatment will consist of immediate administration of fluid therapy to re-hydrate the gastric contents in the hope of making the contents more motile. Stomach massage can also sometimes help relieve impacted contents from the stomach cavity. Decompression may also be helpful. Activity is often recommended for more mobile animals to help promote action within the gastrointestinal system, and a proper diet is essential for restoring proper growth of intestinal flora, and prevention of the overgrowth of bacterial pathogens that could disrupt the healthy growth of bacteria in the gut. A large selection of natural greens, including collard greens, romaine lettuce, parsley, and spinach are a few of the many greens that are recommended as part of a healthy daily diet for rabbits. Living and Management If your rabbit is capable of moving, you should continue to encourage it to do so, avoid pellets and other unhealthy snacks unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian. Rest and relaxation is recommended, with frequent breaks for stretching and motion. Analgesics (pain relievers) can be helpful for relieving intestinal pain, and antibiotic therapy may be helpful for patients with the diarrhea that is associated with bacterial infections. Be sure to continue the full prescribed treatment until the medication is completely used, and then follow-up with your veterinarian for further advice. Some drugs, such as NSAIDs, are not indicated for rabbits that are suffering from renal (kidney) failure, and in fact could be placed at further health risk of administered the wrong drugs. You will need to make sure that your veterinarian is aware of your rabbit’s health history, especially if your rabbit needs to be treated on an emergency basis and the animal caregiver is not familiar with your rabbit’s background health. There are safer drug alternatives that can be just as effective. Rabbits that are treated promptly and effectively for trichobezoars have a good prognosis for a complete recovery. Featured Image: iStock.com/Carmen Romero