Maps with directions to your local Vets Now clinic are available from your Veterinary Surgeon or on the Find a Clinic page.
When a rabbit is in an emergency health situation often the most common symptoms they will exhibit are; breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, swellings and loss of balance or a head tilt. If your rabbit exhibits any of these symptoms you should consult a Veterinary Surgeon as soon as possible.
Breathing Difficulties
If you notice a discharge from the eyes and nose with noisy breathing, increased breathing rates, or open mouth breathing, as they may indicate respiratory infections or heat stress. Heat stress is common in the summer as rabbits do not sweat and so must not be exposed to temperatures above 20-24 degrees Celsius.
Loss of Appetite
A loss of appetite is not a specific indicator of just one disease but may be very serious. It is advised that any rabbit not eating for more than 12 hours should be seen immediately.
- Emergency Care for Rabbit Owners
Swellings
You should contact your Veterinary Surgeon as soon as possible on discovering any unusual lumps or bumps on your rabbit. These may be due to abscesses or tumours. In most cases these appear gradually over days and weeks so you should make sure that you check your rabbit on a regular basis so you can identify a lump right away.
Loss of Balance and/or Head Tilt
If you see your rabbit circling continuously in one direction or having trouble standing up properly this may be associated with bacterial infections of the middle and inner ear or infections of the brain. Rabbits affected by this condition should be kept quiet in a room with dimmed lighting and a Veterinary Surgeon should be consulted.
Paralysis of One or More Limbs
One of the most commonly seen emergencies that Vets Now see in rabbits is injury to their limbs. A common cause of injuries to limbs is rabbits getting stuck in wire fences. We would like to urge people to think about their furry little friends when installing wire fences and either keep the holes in them large enough for a whole rabbit to get through or small enough that no part of the rabbit can get through.
Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)
Myxomatosis is a virus spread by the rabbit flea. It causes a gradual swelling of the area around the eyes, anus and genitals and in un-vaccinated rabbits is frequently fatal. VHD is a virus spread from rabbit to rabbit. In un-vaccinated rabbits it is fatal, with sometimes no warning signs. In rabbits which survive the first few days after infection, diarrhoea with blood is often seen. It's best to prevent both diseases by having your rabbit vaccinated by your own Veterinary Surgeon as part of a routine health care programme. If you do see any symptoms mentioned, then your rabbit should see a Veterinary Surgeon immediately.
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