Healthy tips for Peter Cottontail

I have to admit my childhood Easter memories are among my fondest. My parents were always very generous as they provided me and my siblings with Easter baskets that brimmed with sweets, including large chocolate bunnies wrapped in cellophane.Once I outgrew my Easter basket lust, I moved on to Easter bunny envy. During our veterinary training, my husband and I became owners of a “house bunny.” From this experience, I acquired a special affection for rabbits that continues today, as well as helpful knowledge about caring for rabbits.First and foremost, I would like to make a pitch for not adopting a rabbit for Easter. While this may sound like a great idea, getting a pet rabbit is a decision to be made with great forethought and prior education.However, if you already own a rabbit or you absolutely must have one, please do your homework and be informed. I’d like to share my on-the-job bunny health care tips with you to insure that your rabbit lives a full, good quality life.Most rabbit ailments are the result of improper diet and exercise. Good rabbit nutrition cannot be emphasized enough and should consist of unlimited quantities of grass hay (timothy, orchard or oat) and one to three cups of fresh, varied greens (dandelion, endive, romaine) daily.Rabbits also need high quality, plain timothy or alfalfa pellets with at least 18 percent fiber and no more than 16 percent protein. Pellets with seeds, nuts or dried fruit should be avoided. Fresh fruit and carrots make excellent rabbit treats, but should be limited to one to two tablespoons per day.Feeding your rabbit an appropriate diet will greatly diminish risk for illness, but if your bunny stops eating or its stools become smaller, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Rabbits that do not eliminate nor eat for 24 hours are in danger of dying from a condition called “ileus,” a slowing or stoppage of intestinal motility.Prompt attention is warranted before a rabbit actually shows symptoms. Besides anorexia and fewer feces, the rabbit may lie in strange positions, hide, sit “hunched,” grind teeth, act restless, or have unusual bowel sounds or gas. Your veterinarian may prescribe liquid pediatric simethicone (Phazyme or Gas-X) to reduce gas pain and gentle abdominal massage, along with oral fluids and syringe feeding.Severe cases of rabbit ileus may require analgesics, fluid therapy, intestinal motility drugs, appetite stimulants, or antibiotics administered by your veterinarian. Early detection of signs of ileus is critical to successful treatment.Besides stress, causes of ileus can vary from molar overgrowth or abscesses to urinary tract disease, bone and joint problems, skin tumors or abscesses, liver or kidney disease, intestinal parasites and psychological triggers.Proper exercise also can prevent ileus. Rabbit housing should have a solid floor that is at least six times the adult rabbit’s size, with enough height that the rabbit will not bump its ears when standing. This space should be the rabbit’s “home base” with access to an exercise pen or freedom within your home.If you permit your rabbit to roam indoors, you will need to protect your electrical wires with opaque, plastic tubing to prevent chewing and electrocution. Provide your rabbit with a place to dig and plenty of chewable toys to protect your carpet and baseboards from destruction by a bored bunny.Be aware that rabbit teeth never stop growing so your rabbit should have a veterinary exam at least annually to check for overgrown teeth. Rabbit toenails need trimmed every six weeks and this is also a great time to check ears for dirt, wax and infection.Rabbits shed their coats four times a year, thus hairballs can be a great concern, especially for long-haired bunnies. Unlike cats, rabbits cannot vomit their hairballs. Molting rabbits should therefore be groomed frequently, get plenty of exercise, and eat lots of hay to prevent deadly hairballs.Also, if you notice that your rabbit’s urine varies from yellow to orange or red, do not be alarmed as these are normal color variations. If you need more information about your rabbit’s health care, hop on over to your veterinarian. Dr. Bonnie Jones is a veterinarian and co-owner of Delphos Animal Hospital which she operates with her husband, Dr. John H. Jones. She was the valedictorian and Outstanding Senior Clinician of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 1985. Questions may be sent to Dr. Jones at Delphos Animal Hospital, 1825 E. Fifth St., Delphos, OH 45833.