RABBITS
Rabbits are increasingly popular pets within the UK. There are a large
number of breeds, which range from the Dutch Dwarf weighing about 1 kg
when adult, to the Flemish Giant, which can weigh more than 8 kgs when
fully grown.
Housing
As the popularity of the rabbit increases, so does the number that are
kept as house pets. However, the majority are still kept in a hutch.
With such a large variation in breed size there is no ideal hutch design
or size but there should always be sufficient space for the rabbit to
lie at full stretch and to stand up on its hindquarters.
A clean dry bed of wood shavings, hay, straw or newspaper should be provided
and inspected daily to avoid the build up of any dirt that could encourage
disease.
A secure outdoor run is preferable, which will allow the rabbit to exercise
and graze and can also be a site for toys such as tunnels or boxes.
Rabbits kept outdoors should be in a well insulated hutch protected from
wind and rain and sheltered from excess sunlight.
Diet
Rabbits are herbivores and have a complex digestive system requiring both
digestible and undigestible fibre types.
Fresh grass or hay should make up about three quarters of the diet and
other fresh vegetables like carrot or cabbage can be added to provide
some variation. Burgess Excel or Supa Excel are top-quality commercially
available rabbit diets.
Rabbits need access to clean water at all times. Feed and water bowls
should be cleaned daily.
Diarrhoea
Rabbits are prone to digestive disturbances resulting in diarrhoea. This
may be serious, and even life threatening. Probiotics such as protexin
are particularly helpful in maintaining or restoring the normal gut micro-organisms
required to digest food properly.
Diarrhoea often results in matting of the fur around a rabbits anus which
can in itself be distressing to your pet, but is also a common cause of
'fly-strike' during the summer months. It is recommended that a preventative
application of 'Rearguard' be used early in the summer to prevent maggots.
'Advantage' is a spot-on product normally used for flea control which
can also help control flies and maggots. These products are available
from your veterinary surgeon.
Reproduction
Rabbits become sexually mature at between 16-24 weeks of age.
Baby rabbits or 'kits' are born after 30-33 days of pregnancy and litter
size ranges from
4-12.
To avoid mis-mothering or abandonment, the nest area should not be disturbed
and the young kits should not be handled until they are weaned at around
7-8 weeks of age.
Neutering
Rabbits are prolific breeders and care should always be taken to avoid
unwanted litters. Neutering not only prevents unwanted matings, but also
can make both does and bucks less territorial and aggressive. In addition,
does have a very high risk of developing uterine tumours if not neutered.
Bucks are castrated from about 5 months of age. A general anaesthetic
is given and both testicles are removed from an incision made on the scrotum.
Does are spayed from about 6 months of age. A general anaesthetic is given
and an incision made in the middle of the does tummy. Both ovaries and
the uterus are removed during the operation.
Vaccination
Like dogs and cats, rabbits are susceptible to many diseases and some
of these can be prevented by routine vaccinations
Myxomatosis is a viral disease seen commonly in wild rabbits in the UK
and unfortunately it can affect pet rabbits too. The disease is spread
from infected to non-infected rabbits via flea bites. The virus causes
swellings around the eyes, ears and genitals and feeding soon becomes
difficult. In the vast majority of cases treatment is futile.
Viral haemorrhagic disease (V.H.D.) is another widespread viral disease
that is present in the UK. The disease is spread via direct contact with
infected rabbits or contaminated feeding or drinking bowls. Affected rabbits
rapidly become ill and often sudden death is the first sign that is seen.
Both Myxomatosis and V.H.D. can be prevented by a single annual vaccination.
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