Factors that lead to ill health are bad feeding, weaning too early, overcrowding, failing to quarantine sick animals, purchasing from an unsuitable source, handling diseased rabbits before handling healthy rabbits, dirty hutches, failure to eliminate rats and mice, failure to prevent draughts and allowing rain into hutches.
COMMON AILMENTS....
This is usually a bacterial infection of the eyelids, usually caused by dirt or dust, and is easily treated with antibiotic eyedrops or ointments obtained from your local veterinarian.
Similar to a cold in humans and usually characterised by sneezing, watery eyes and a nasal discharge. The front feet may become soiled and matted by rubbing the nose with the inside of the front paws. This complaint may sometimes be cured by placing water soluble antibiotic (obtained from your veterinarian) in the water bowl.
Any cuts or scratches should be cleaned immediately and treated with sulphate ointment or powder. Deep puncture holes or severe lacerations should be attended by a veterinarian.
Usually attributed to over feeding of green food. Must be treated early as in severe cases it is usually fatal. Seek veterinary advice urgently.
Carried by mosquitos. Cover cages with gauze wire to prevent infection.
The symptoms are a soft swelling in the region around the eyes, base of the ears and sometimes elsewhere on the body. There may be discharge from the eyes and nose. Infected animals should be painlessly destroyed by a veterinary surgeon as recovery is extremely rare.