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There are some common diseases and problems seen in rabbits that can be prevented by ensuring you have an understanding of what a healthy rabbit requires and the subtle signs that can tell you your rabbit is unwell.
The more common problems/ diseases that we see in domesticated rabbits are:
Overgrown teeth
Snuffles
Hairballs
Overgrown Teeth (Cause and symptoms)
A rabbit’s teeth continually grow throughout its life and if a rabbit is not constantly grinding their teeth down by eating fibre we start to see their molar teeth forming sharp spikes that damage their cheeks and tongue. This causes pain that makes them reluctant or unable to eat.
Prevention
80-90% of your rabbit’s diet needs to be fibre in the form of oaten or grass hay. The rest of the diet should be leafy greens, with pellets and other treats being minimal to non-existent.
Snuffles (Cause and symptoms)
Close contact with an infected rabbit can easily transfer the Pasteurella multocida bacterium to your rabbit. The bacteria can affect the eyes (
and/or nose, thus giving the disease its name “snuffles.” Pasteurella can infect other areas of the body as well, including ears (resulting in a head tilt).
Prevention
Reducing stress for rabbits that are infected and the quarantine of new rabbits are good ways of preventing introduction of the disease or recurrence of signs
Hairballs (Cause and symptoms)
Hair can normally be found in a rabbit’s stomach as they self-groom. However, as rabbits cannot vomit, hair must be able to pass through the gut. If it can’t then it will form an obstruction and serious complications. Hairballs are so common that they should always be considered as a problem in any rabbit that is lethargic and not eating.
Prevention
Hairballs are more likely to become a problem if there is an issue with the gastrointestinal tract (gut stasis) or they are not receiving enough fibre in their diet, so a high fibre diet is a great preventative measure.
Conclusion
If you have noticed any changes or are concerned about something your bunny has been doing then it is advised to get them checked by your vet. The earlier problems are detected the better your rabbit’s chances are of living a healthy life.