Updated October 5, 2020
Much like the common advice given to humans, it’s important to regularly check the health of rabbitsUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated rabbit breeds, not wild rabbits, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource. with a routine physical examination rather than waiting until a rabbitUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated rabbit breeds, not wild rabbits, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource. is showing signs of distress or illness. Not only will this help you get to know what all aspects of a healthy rabbit look and feel like, but familiarizing a rabbit with human handling might help them stay more calm in stressful situations, which is particularly important for rabbits as stress can be highly dangerous to them. Be prepared to check them over at least every six to eight weeks*! Rabbits who spend time outdoors, especially during fly season, will need more regular checks to prevent dangerous issues like flystrike. For more information on why regular health examinations are important, check out our resource here.
*An Exam Every Six to Eight Weeks Means Daily Observations
Our recommendation to conduct routine health examinations every six to eight weeks must be done in conjunction with daily observations. Caregivers should be trained to observe animals both for behaviors that are abnormal for the species and also behaviors that are abnormal for each individual, keeping in mind issues that are common in a particular species and their warning signs. Thoughtful observation plays a crucial role in catching health issues before they progress into more serious situations.
Residents With Challenging Backgrounds
Close daily observation can be difficult with certain individuals or groups who come from challenging backgrounds. They may be more likely to hide signs of illness or injury, or may not allow you to come close enough to them to thoroughly assess their well being on a regular basis. Challenging backgrounds may include individuals who are not socialized, have lived feral, or were abused or malnourished. If you care for individuals who came from a challenging background, it is imperative to make time to foster a bond of trust so careful observation is possible. A monthly health exam is recommended for these individuals until they exhibit signs that they feel safe and you are confident that close daily observation is possible.
New Resident? Conduct An Intake Examination!
If you are conducting an initial health examination on a new resident, check out our intake examination resource to learn about what you should check for and document!
Problem Signals
Due to rabbits’ fur and many individuals’ aversion to handling, rabbits require close examination to reveal potential ailments and injuries that you may not notice through a cursory observation. As a survival instinct, rabbits are also generally quite adept at masking pain or distress until the symptoms prevent them from hiding it. By paying regular attention to all your rabbit residents, you may see some subtle cues in the event that something is amiss.
A sick, injured, or otherwise distressed rabbit may:
- Avoid contact more often than they used to
- Change their daily schedule or general behavior
- Have labored breathing, coughing, sneezing or a constantly open mouth
- Have matted fur or discharge on the inside of their front paws from rubbing their nose
- Shake or tilt their head
- Be immobile, inactive or unresponsive to your approach (this may indicate a significant health emergency)
- Be sitting far more often than usual
- Seem to have trouble eating
- Have a limp in their step or avoid putting weight on one of their legs
- Have unusual or abnormal droppings including diarrhea, blood in stool, or worms
- Be less hungry or thirsty, or drink water excessively
- Have an abnormally strong or musky odor
- Have an internal body temperature beyond the range of 101.3-104 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5-40 degrees Celsius)
- Have excessively pale skin or mucous membranes
- Vocalize or thump their legs
- Frequently change their position between standing and sitting
- Lose a significant amount of their fur without apparent reason
- Be reluctant or averse to urinating or urinating frequently, or having cloudy urine
- Show signs of incoordination or weakness on a hot day
Conducting The Exam
Ask An Expert
Prior to regularly conducting rabbit health examinations, you should have a veterinarian or compassionate care expert give you hands-on training in order to be the best rabbit health advocate possible. Being trained to rapidly distinguish healthy conditions from abnormalities can be crucial in early health problem detection and effective treatment!
In cases of symptoms such as the ones above, it’s especially important to conduct a health examination on the rabbit. Generally, the examination should begin at their head, working your way back and down, but depending on the individual, you may want to use whatever order causes the least amount of distress, with ample breaks if necessary. It’s important to keep regular documentation of these checkups, including weight and any abnormal findings, in order to keep an easy-to-follow set of information in case a veterinarian needs the rabbit’s history.
Safety First!
Rabbits can become ill with disease that is transmissible to humans. It’s very important to wear gloves when conducting health examinations!
Before stepping into their living spaceThe indoor or outdoor area where an animal resident lives, eats, and rests., you should take note of the rabbit’s behavior. Are they acting differently than they usually do? How are they getting along with fellow rabbits? These clues can say a lot about a rabbit’s health.
Stressed Rabbit?
Rabbits who are stressed out by handling or confinement are at substantial risk of injuring themselves, especially their spine or legs. You must be aware of this risk and take all precautions to keep stressed out rabbits from hurting themselves! If a rabbit absolutely does not want to be handled, give them ample time to calm down and ensure that the way you’re securing them cannot lead to injury!
If necessary, you may have to have a second caregiverSomeone who provides daily care, specifically for animal residents at an animal sanctuary, shelter, or rescue. on hand to help manage the health examination or help keep the rabbit calm. Once you have the rabbit calm and ready, conduct the following observations:
When In Doubt…
Unless you are a qualified veterinarian or have been trained to handle specific conditions, The Open Sanctuary Project strongly advocates that you promptly report any health concerns you find during the course of an exam to your veterinarian or care expert. Unless they’re in a life-threatening situation, you should be your resident’s advocate, not their doctor.
Most rabbit residents benefit from a gentle occasional brushing, especially longer-haired breeds. NEVER immerse a rabbit in water, because this can cause the individual to go into shock. If necessary, carefully spot clean the individual. Efforts should be made not to move a rabbit onto their back or side during the examination, which can cause distress in rabbits.
Though it may seem like an overwhelming amount of factors to be aware of, once you’ve gotten to know a rabbit and what good rabbit health looks like, you’ll be an excellent rabbit health ally in no time!
Writing It All Down
As you may know, regular documentation is a critical part of responsible sanctuary animal care. In order to maximize the value of your rabbit health examinations, we’ve developed a free printable rabbit health exam form for sanctuaries and rescues!
SOURCES:
Rabbit Health Check: Signs of a Healthy Bunny | Best Friends
What Rabbit Poop Tells You About Their Health | The Bunny Lady
What Pee Tells You About A Rabbit’s Health | The Bunny Lady
Temperature, Heart and Respiration Rates | House Rabbit Society