It’s important for any bunnyhorde owner to be aware of the most common health problems that their furry friends may experience. Unfortunately, rabbits are prone to certain medical issues due to their sensitive digestive systems and small size. Knowing which health issues are most prevalent can help you spot signs early and get your bunny the necessary medical care they need.
1. Gastrointestinal stasis
Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis is one of rabbits’ most common health problems. GI stasis occurs when a rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract slows down or stops working properly, preventing food from moving through it as it should. This can lead to painful bloating and discomfort for your bunny, and can be fatal if left untreated. Signs of GI congestion include decreased appetite, lack of droppings, decreased activity level, hunched posture and reluctance to move much.
2. Respiratory disease
Respiratory disease is also quite common in pet rabbits. These conditions are usually caused by an infection such as a virus or bacteria and can cause your bunny to have difficulty breathing, coughing and sneezing. If your rabbit is showing these symptoms, along with other signs such as wheezing, lethargy or eye discharge, you’ll want to take him to a vet clinic that specialises in rabbit care right away!
3. Parasites
Parasites such as mites and fleas are another common rabbit health problem. These pests can cause itching, skin irritation, hair loss and even more serious illnesses if not treated promptly by a vet who understands the unique needs of rabbits! A good way to check for parasites is to look closely at your rabbit’s coat for any unusual bumps or lumps on the skin – this could indicate an infestation that requires immediate attention from a professional, so don’t hesitate to seek help!
4. Teeth problems
Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, so it’s important that they have regular check-ups with an experienced vet who knows how to treat any dental problems that may develop over time due to improper diet or injury/trauma caused by chewing on hard objects (such as wooden toys). Some signs of dental problems include drooling or excessive salivation, difficulty eating, weight loss, bad breath, discoloured teeth, swelling around the mouth, and jaw pain/discomfort when lightly touched around the mouth.
5. Overgrown nails & fur matted with urine or faeces
Due to their sedentary lifestyle (which many bunnies enjoy!), it’s easy for the nails on both the front paws and hind legs to become overgrown if they’re not trimmed regularly, either by yourself with small animal nail clippers OR, better still, by a professional every few weeks, depending on how quickly your fuzzy friend’s nails grow back! In addition, urine burns – where fur becomes matted together with pee – is another common problem caused by rabbits not being cleaned sufficiently (or at all!). Long-term exposure will lead to skin irritation, so make sure your pet gets adequate grooming whenever possible!
6. Urinary tract infections and kidney disease
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria get into the bladder via contaminated water bowls or other sources – this causes inflammation, leading to pain when urinating as well as increased frequency & urgency when trying to pass urine out of the body! In addition to UTIs, there’s also chronic kidney disease, which results from poor dietary choices, but can also be genetic, which means regular tests need to be carried out throughout life, especially after the age of 3, as the organs start to show wear and tear sooner rather than later…
7. Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E cuniculi)
Although less well known than some of the other diseases listed here, E Cuniculi affects many pet rabbits without the owners ever knowing, as the symptoms are not always obvious until further down the line – so pay close attention if you notice any changes in behaviour such as head tilting/dizziness accompanied by seizures – these mean that something may be wrong internally and it’s best to deal with this as soon as possible rather than waiting and hoping things will get better.
8. Movement difficulties due to spinal injury or degeneration
Lastly movement difficulties often manifest themselves suddenly almost out of nowhere leaving owners feeling panicked – this type of issue typically arises either due to a traumatic incident causing damage to the spine itself OR simply age-related degenerative conditions sadly just part of the life span process unfortunately none of us are able to avoid ageing no matter what we do… So keep a vigilant watchful eye out for any strange hopping patterns promote healthy wellness habits overall preventative measure against future complications arising related to mobility concerns amongst our beloved fluffy companions!