Rabbits

Weight Loss and Cachexia in Rabbits Weight loss in rabbits generally becomes a cause for concern when the rabbit loses ten percent or more of its normal body weight, and the weight is determined to be more than simply the loss of fluid. If the weight loss accompanies a wasting disease, referred to clinically as cachexia and exhibited by loss of body mass, muscle atrophy, and loss of appetite, or is related to a condition where the rabbit is in poor health, is not eating well, and is experiencing general weakness, the rabbit will require prompt attention by a health professional. Symptoms and Types The signs and symptoms may depend on the underlying cause for the weight loss and cachexia. General signs will include a thinning of the body, a reduced size and appearance, and weakness. Other signs and symptoms may include: Dental diseases or abscesses (infections) Drooling, bad breath or problems when eating Signs of gastrointestinal diseases, which may include a lack of fecal production Distension or abnormal bloating in the intestinal area around the stomach, suggesting gastrointestinal disorders Masses or foreign bodies present when touching, or “palpating” the abdomen Signs of pain, which may include grinding the teeth, a hunched over posture, or an inability to maintain an upright posture. Pain can reduce the odds of eating or may reduce the rabbit’s ability to process the foods it does eat Abnormal breathing sounds, heart murmurs or irregular heart rhythms Causes Although weight loss and cachexia share the common symptoms of weight loss, diagnostically they are different in the respect that simple weight loss may be resolved by feeding the rabbit more calories, where cachexia is a loss of weight that often cannot be resolved with nutritional remedies. There are many different causes for weight loss and cachexia in rabbits. For example, increased metabolism can lead the body to use lean muscle for energy in order to fill the need for increased calories to carry out daily functions. Other causes can include gastrointestinal hypomotility, abnormally slow movement in the gastrointestinal system. Cachexia, with its wasting of muscles and body mass, and chronic loss of appetite, can have more severe underlying diseases that are causing it. These can include metabolic disorders like organ failure, or disorders that are associated with cancer. Some other common causes may include: Dietary causes, including too little food or poor quality food (malnutrition) Neuromuscular diseases and pain, including degenerative joint disease Spinal problems including spinal fractures or luxations (dislocations) Joint or facila infections, which can cause malformations, leading to problems with eating Dental diseases, which can make eating difficult Central nervous system disorders that can contribute to anorexia (inability to eat, loss of appetite) Diseases that promote protein loss in the body Diagnosis You will need to give a thorough history of your rabbit’s health and onset of symptoms, whether the loss of appetite is sudden (acute), or has been going on for an extended time (chronic). In order to begin to make a diagnosis, your veterinarian will first need to determine how much your rabbit ate prior to the onset of symptoms. There are several possible causes for this condition, so your veterinarian will most likely use differential diagnosis. 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. Some of the more obvious reasons will be ruled out, such as the possibility of dental disease, one of the most common causes for weight loss. Your doctor will also look for evidence of obvious infections or metabolic problems, including organ failure that can lead to inflammation. Diagnostic imaging, like ultrasound and X-ray, can be used to help identify masses or cancers in the body, diseases that that are well known for contributing to severe weight loss or inability to digest food. If the cause is linked to loss of protein, the urinalysis may return with evidence of excess protein in the urine, which is referred to as proteinuria.   Treatment Treatment entails identifying and treating the underlying problems that result in weight loss. Care will be given to alleviate the symptoms while looking for the disease process that is causing the symptoms. Pain relief for cancer, and electrolyte replacement for dehydration and fluid loss will be given until your rabbit’s health has stabilized. Most rabbits will be fed as soon as possible unless the diagnosis indicates otherwise. Your rabbit will be given a proper diet that includes plenty of fresh greens, or if the rabbit is unable to eat or keep food down, it will be fed using a supplementary method. Depending on your rabbit’s health status and the severity of the underlying condition, you may be able to feed your rabbit using a feeding tube at home, or it may need to be cared for in hospital. Living and Management The prognosis for your rabbit will vary depending on the nature of the disease or disorder resulting in the weight loss. Often, when a disease has reached a state of cachexia, it has become severe and the prognosis is guarded to poor. In all cases provisions for healthy feed will include fresh greens, and in some cases easily digestible vegetable baby foods may be warranted and highly advisable. Routine follow-up care may also be advisable to support the best possible outcome. Frequent monitoring may or may not be needed, depending on the nature of the cause and the overall health and wellness of your rabbit. Featured Image: iStock.com/DamianKuzdak

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Encephalitis Secondary to Parasitic Migration in Rabbits Secondary encephalitis is an infection of the brain tissues that is due to migration of parasites from other regions of the body. The incidence of this type of encephalitis is extremely rare.   Symptoms and Types   Symptoms can vary according to the area of the brain that is affected, but head tilt is one of the most commonly reported symptoms. There also may be motor problems with other body parts due to the nature of the nervous system involvement.   Causes   Secondary encephalitis is caused by the migration of a type of roundworm larvae into the central nervous system — the brain — resulting in infection and reactive inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues. Rabbits that are exposed to outside environment may contract this by ingesting the parasitic roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis, a parasite that is known to be harbored by raccoons. This parasite is found in areas that were previously occupied by raccoons, and are ingested by other animals incidentally when they eat grass or hay that has been defecated on by raccoons. The parasite can also live for some time in soil that has had the fecal remains from an infected raccoon.   Diagnosis   You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your rabbit’s health and onset of symptoms. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to which organs are causing secondary symptoms. Because there are many possible causes for conditions of the central nervous system, your veterinarian will most likely use differential diagnosis. 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.   Standard laboratory work will include a complete blood profile and urinalysis, and an analysis of blood serum to identify the exact type of infection that is causing the brain tissue to be inflamed. Visual diagnostics will include X-ray studies of the skull and the areas around the ear, and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies for determining the extent of the infection.     Treatment   Specific antibiotics can be given to target the infection, along with careful administration of corticosteroids to relieve the inflammation and swelling of brain tissue. The involvement of the central nervous system makes this a particularly dangerous infection. Unfortunately, this is a difficult infection to diagnose, and most cases are not diagnosed until after the animal has died. The prognosis, therefore, is extremely guarded.   If the onset was sudden, the disease may progress rapidly, warranting euthanasia.   Living and Management   Raccoons are known to carry this parasite, it is strongly advised that you not graze your rabbits in areas that are known to be frequented by raccoons. Because the roundworm parasite can live for years in the infected soil of some environments, to best protect your rabbit, you will need to be sure that the area has been raccoon free for several years. Featured Image: iStock.com/skynesher

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Encephalitis and Meningoencephalitis in Rabbits Encephalitis is a diseased condition characterized by inflammation of the brain. It may be accompanied by spinal cord and/or meningeal involvement. When the meningea is involved, the condition is clinically referred to as meningoencephalitis – which is literally a combination of two known diseased states: meningitis – inflammation of the meninges, the protective membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord; and encephalitis – sudden and severe (acute) inflammation of the brain. Inflammation is usually caused by an infectious agent, viral or bacterial, or by the patient’s own immune system. Bacteria may spread to the brain through the bloodstream, through the ears, or through other body systems. The nervous system is primarily involved, but other organs may be involved as well. This condition is fairly common in rabbits. Lop-eared rabbits may be more likely to show signs of otitis (ear infection) with subsequent meningeal/brain involvement. Dwarf breeds are at increased risk, along with older rabbits, and immunosuppressed (low immunity) rabbits. Symptoms and Types Onset is generally sudden and severe, but there may be a gradual onset with progression to full blown disease Signs of respiratory infection, dental disease, and otitis externa/interna before the brain infection sets in Thick, white, creamy exudate (fluid discharge) may be found in the horizontal and/or vertical canals of the ears Bulging ear drum may be visible Neurological symptoms include signs of dizziness and loss of balance Based on the portion of the brain most affected Forebrain – seizures, personality change, decreasing level of responsiveness Brainstem – depression, head tilt, rolling, abnormal rolling of eye balls , facial muscle paralysis, poor coordination   Causes Bacterial infection Viral infection Inflammatory, immune-mediated Parasite migration – sporadic cases of Baylisascaris infection (raccoon roundworm)   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 recent illnesses, ear infections, or the environment in which your rabbit grazes, if it is allowed to graze outdoors. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. This can be a challenging disease to diagnose, as blood tests often return normal, and visual diagnostics (e.g., X-ray, computed tomography scan) often do not show a significant change in the structure of the brain unless the swelling is considerable. Because there are several possible causes for this condition, your veterinarian may use differential diagnosis to determine the 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. Skull and ear bone X-rays may identify if a tumor is present. If your rabbit is showing the apparent signs of encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, your veterinarian may be able to diagnose it based on the results of an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, which can show whether a viral or bacterial agent is present in the fluid.   Treatment and Care Treatment is generally based on the symptoms. Appropriate antibiotics will be prescribed according to the type of infection that is diagnosed, and anti-epileptic medications can be given to relieve seizures, if they have been observed.   Living and Management To avoid injury, restrict the rabbit’s activity (e.g., avoid stairs and slippery surfaces) according to the degree of balance, but encourage a return to activity as soon as safely possible, since activity may enhance recovery of the vestibular function. It is absolutely imperative that the rabbit continue to eat and take in sufficient fluid during and following treatment. Offer a large selection of fresh, moistened greens such as cilantro, romaine lettuce, parsley, carrot tops, dandelion greens, spinach, collard greens, etc., and good-quality grass hay, and also offer the rabbit’s usual pelleted diet, as the initial goal is to get the rabbit to eat. Encourage oral fluid intake by offering fresh water, wetting leafy vegetables, or flavoring water with vegetable juice. If the rabbit is too weak, or refuses to eat a sufficient amount of food, you will need to feed your rabbit a gruel diet by syringe until it can eat normally again. High-carbohydrate, high-fat nutritional supplements are contraindicated. Note that antiseizure treatment may be given immediately to relieve the symptoms, but this is only symptomatic and may not consistently help unless a primary cause can be identified and treated. This condition is life threatening if left untreated, but in some cases, even with treatment, there may be worsening of mental status and death may occur. If your rabbit can be successfully treated and recovers, your veterinarian will schedule follow-up exams to repeat the neurologic examination at a frequency that is dictated by the underlying cause.  Featured Image: iStock.com/Nynke van Holten

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Urinary Tract Obstruction in Rabbits    Urinary tract obstructions, which restricts the flow of urine from the kidneys, is a common condition in rabbits. It can be due to a variety of reasons, including urinary tract infections (UTIs) or deeper bladder infections. Symptoms and Types Some rabbits will not have any signs or symptoms of problems if they have a urinary tract obstruction, but most will. Depending on the severity of the condition, most rabbit owners will report the following signs and symptoms: Frequent urination Painful or difficult urination Thick, beige or brown-colored urine Cloudy-looking urine, or urine that appears thicker than normal Hunched-over posture while urinating Difficulty moving about, or getting up Retention of urine, difficulty emptying bladder fully, or lack of urine flow during movements Lethargy, weight loss, tooth grinding, or signs of pain on urination or movement Many rabbits will also have abnormally large kidneys. Unless you are skilled at detecting the kidneys from the rest of the anatomy , your veterinarian will be able to assist with this part of the examination or diagnosis. Causes Lesions can develop in the rabbit’s urinary pathway, which can increase the pressure in the ureters — the tubes that release the urine — causing concomitant kidney failure. One of the most common reasons for problems of the urinary tract is the excretion of too much calcium, which can lead to kidney stones, or what many refer to as calcium “sand” or “sludge” in the urine. This material can block the urethra and the tubes that carry and excrete urine, causing little clots that can prove very problematic for the rabbit. Other causes can include inflammation or injury to the ureters, which can block the flow or urine from the kidney; trauma to the area; or an overgrowth of tissue (hyperplasia), which may be associated with cancer, although this is very rare diagnosis in rabbits. Diagnosis To diagnose a kidney infection, your veterinarian will first observe whether your rabbit is exhibiting unproductive squatting that does not lead to effective urination. The doctor may note that urination is incomplete, or leads to the passing of cloudy or dark-colored urine. Urinary obstruction may be noted by the rabbit passing incomplete, or very small amounts of urine. An evaluation of urine sediment can reveal calcium carbonate crystals in the urine, but this does not always occur. One of the most common diagnostic tools used for this condition, a catheter, will be inserted into the rabbit’s bladder to locate any kidney stones or other materials that are blocking the ureter. This may also be used to help guide the material through and out of the urethra.   Treatment If the bladder or urethra is completely blocked then immediate medical attention is essential, as this can represent a life-threatening emergency. A partial obstruction also requires prompt treatment. Most of the time inpatient care is necessary until the rabbit can urinate freely on its own. The long-term prognosis will depend on the ability of your health provider to restore proper urinary flow. Treatment includes removal of urinary obstructions and restoring proper fluid balance and proper urine outflow. Surgery is sometimes necessary to remove the obstruction. Follow-up treatment will address the causes for the initial urine retention. Because recurrence is possible, it is important to minimize the odds of developing additional kidney stones (if they were present) or future urinary obstructions. Living and Management Reducing or eliminating risk factors for urinary tract obstructions will include making dietary changes, like discontinuing alfalfa pellets from meals. A diet high in fiber and water can helpful for combating and avoiding this condition. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are also believed to be responsible for urinary tract obstruction. When possible, ensure that your rabbit receives a healthy diet and is able to maintain an active lifestyle in order to help minimize the chance of recurrence. Featured Image: iStock.com/dardespot

Rabbits are active, intelligent, and social animals. They require a suitable living environment, a healthy diet, fresh water, social interactions, and the ability to behave like a rabbit. Rabbits need appropriate space to perform their normal behaviors—rabbits should be able to run, hop, stand on their hind legs, dig, and always stretch out fully in their environment. When rabbits are not provided the appropriate setting, they can develop medical conditions like obesity, foot sores, gastrointestinal issues, and behavioral problems. Rabbit Cage Specifications Your rabbit should have a main shelter where they can rest, go to the bathroom, eat, drink, and hide if needed. They should also have an exercise area where they can play for a minimum of 4 hours per day; ideally, it should be permanently always attached to their main enclosure and open to them. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to provide a main enclosure that is at least four times the size of your rabbit. The larger, the better! Rabbits should be able to hop around, stand on their hind legs without touching the top, and lay down easily. There also should be enough room for a litter box, water bowl or bottle, hide box, and an area for pellets and hay. For small to medium rabbits like a Dwarf or Dutch rabbit, the enclosure should be at least 24 inches wide by 24 inches high by 36 inches long. For larger breeds like the Flemish Giant, the enclosure should be at least 36 inches wide by 36 inches tall and up to 120 inches long. If you have multiple rabbits, double the cage size per rabbit. Cage Materials Wire-sided cages are best for ventilation, cleaning, and preventing your rabbit from escaping. The floor should be solid like plastic to avoid pressure sores and allow easy cleanup. Wood cages are tough to disinfect and not ideal for your rabbit. The enclosure should not be in a drafty, damp area like a basement, not in direct sunlight, have adequate ventilation, and be in an area of the home where you spend a lot of time. Rabbits are social animals and require daily interaction with people or other rabbits. Exercise Area Provide your rabbit with an exercise area of about 24 square feet. If needed, you can use baby gates or make a pen to contain that area. The height of the gates should be about 3-4 feet tall. If you do not have a thick carpet, provide thick yoga mats or carpet pieces in their exercise area to prevent foot sores. Rabbits should be able to run around this area for at least 4 hours each day, but if you can give your rabbit access to this area 24/7, that is ideal. An excellent example of a properly sized rabbit cage is the Frisco Wire Small Pet House Shaped Cage. Place the pan on top of the wire bottom, not underneath, to prevent foot sores. Alternatively, you can put a mat to cover the wires as well. Do not attach wheels to your rabbit’s cage because it could be dangerous if it moves around. Indoor Rabbit Hutch vs. Outdoor Rabbit Hutch Indoor housing is recommended for all rabbits because of environmental and health concerns with outdoor hutches. In addition, the temperature should remain ideally around 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit because rabbits do not have sweat glands and can overheat easily. If you choose to house your rabbit outside, please provide them with a shelter protected from the heat and cold. It is ideal to place outdoor hutches on the side of the house in the shade, not facing the morning or afternoon sun. Hutches should be several feet off the ground. Ensure the cage is protected from outdoor predators like coyotes and raccoons by putting a fence around the hutch. In the winter, provide a lot of straw bedding to keep them insulated and change the water daily. If the temperature falls below 40 F or reaches above 75 F, please bring your rabbit indoors. Rabbit hutches should be one square foot for every pound of an adult rabbit weight. The hutch should be at least 20 inches high and higher for larger breed rabbits. Many hutches are made with 16-gauge wire for the sides and tops and 14-gauge wire for the floor. Cover the wire floor with 2-3 inches of paper bedding or hay. The only part of the hutch that should be wood is the frame because rabbits will chew on wood. The wooden legs of the wood should be treated to prevent rot and termites. Please make sure the treatment you use is rabbit safe. The roof should be slanted, and the edge should extend 7 inches past the edge of the hutch for weatherproofing. It is not recommended to let your rabbit outdoors, but if you, please allow exercise for at least 4 hours.  However, a rabbit should always be confined to a cage or hutch and should not be let outside. What Does a Rabbit Need in Their Cage? Provide 1-2 inches of high-quality paper-based bedding in their main enclosure. Other items needed are a litter box in the corner with paper-based products, a cardboard hide box, a hay rack, a water bottle, a small pellet dish, and toys. In their exercise area, you can use baby gates or a pen about 3-4 feet high to prevent jumping over. If you do not have carpet, provide thick yoga mats and bits of carpet to prevent pressure sores on their feet. If you allow your rabbit free access to your home, please ensure that you are rabbit-proofing and keeping them safe from electrical wires, toxic plants, and chewing on the walls. Rabbit Cage Cleaning Cages and hutches should be cleaned thoroughly once a week. Every day, you should spot clean the litter box and bedding and remove any soiled material or uneaten food. When cleaning the food and water containers daily, use antibacterial dish soap like Dawn and ensure you clean up in the waterspout. When your rabbit is not in the cage during the once-a-week cleaning, remove all bedding material, litter pan, food, and water containers. Throw away disposable bedding. Empty the litter pan and wipe down the cage as needed. You can use vinegar to clean up any hard-to-remove spots and then disinfect with a small animal habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution. Leave the disinfectant for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly and dry completely before replacing the bedding. In addition, you should provide lots of toys for mental stimulation and to prevent your rabbit from chewing on inappropriate items like furniture, walls, plants, and electric cords. Toy options include: Rabbit-safe wooden sticks or blocks (untreated non-cedar wood) Lots of hay to wear down their continuously growing teeth Cardboard paper tubes Hard plastic baby/cat/bird toys that they can throw and chase Tunnels or castles with platforms made of nontoxic wood or cardboard Digging boxes You can make a digging box with a plastic tub or cardboard box and fill it with layers of carpet, hay, paper litter, or newspaper. If you let your rabbit free roam your house, supervise them and rabbit-proof the electrical wires, toxic plants, and walls with baby gates or other barriers. Please also provide them with additional litter boxes and hide boxes as needed. Do Rabbits Need a Litter Box in Their Cage? Rabbits prefer to urinate and defecate in just a few places (typically corners) so it is ideal for putting a litter box in the corner of the cage to make for easy daily cleanup. You can put bedding inside the litter pan as well as a handful of hay since rabbits like to eat inside their litter box. DIY Rabbit Cage You can build a DIY rabbit cage, but it can be a lot of work, so it is often recommended for first-time rabbit owners to buy a pre-made cage. An easier option is to construct a large pen from 14”x14” wire storage cubes or modify a puppy wire playpen. It is important to put thick 1-2-inch carpet or thick yoga mats for their feet. How to construct a DIY rabbit cage: Start assembling the wire panels with the connectors and attach at least three panels across with 1-2 on top of those. Repeat this a total of four times to make a cube.  Reinforce the panels with zip ties. Make sure to cut off any excess material. Make sure to leave one bottom panel as a permanent opening. If you want a door, only attach zip ties on one side so you can open and close it. Place the yoga mats or carpet inside your rabbit pen, covering all available flooring. Place a litter box in one corner; you can attach a hay rack and water sipper to the wire panels. If you prefer to build a more elaborate hutch for your rabbit, you can obtain building plans for rabbit cages from state extension services or agricultural offices.

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