Gastrointestinal Stasis in Rabbits
Is it Really a Hairball Causing the Blockage? By Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) The term “hairball” has been used for decades to describe a syndrome in rabbits
Rat Poisoning in Rabbits
When Rabbits Ingest Rat Poison If a rabbit eats certain rat poisons, the blood will not clot properly (coagulopathy). This is a relatively common type of poisoning in rabbits, as
Electric Cord Bite Injury in Rabbits
By Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Like human infants, rabbits are very oral creatures; they like to put everything in their mouths to check things out. Unfortunately, also
Weakness/Paralysis of the Facial Muscles Due to Nerve Damage in Rabbits
Facial Nerve Paresis/Paralysis in Rabbits Facial nerve paresis and paralysis is a disorder of the facial cranial nerve — a nerve that originates in the brain (as opposed to the
Vaginal Discharge in Rabbits
Vaginal discharge is not a common or normal occurrence in rabbits, and is normally taken to be a sign of infection or illness. Vaginal discharge includes any substance that comes
UTI Problems and Bladder Infections in Rabbits
Urinary Tract Obstruction in Rabbits Urinary tract obstructions, which restricts the flow of urine from the kidneys, is a common condition in rabbits. It can be due to a
Uterine Infections in Rabbits
Pyometra The medical term for an infection in the rabbit’s uterus is pyometra. This and other reproductive (or non-neoplastic endometrial) disorders, including the growth and bloating of the uterus, are
Tooth Root Abscess in Rabbits
Apical Abscesses in Rabbits Tooth root abscesses in rabbits, formally known as apical abscesses, are defined as pus-filled capsules or pockets within the animal’s tooth or mouth. These abscesses
Spinal Column Disorder in Rabbits
Spondylosis Deformans Spondylosis deformans is a degenerative, non-inflammatory condition which affects a rabbit’s spine. It causes the rabbit’s body to form noncancerous tumor-like growths (or osteophytes) in the spinal column,
Sore Hocks in Rabbits
Ulcerative Pododermatitis in Rabbits Ulcerative pododermatitis, or bumblefoot, is a bacterial infection of the skin; specifically, the skin of the back feet and hocks — the part of the back
Snoring and Nasal Obstruction in Rabbits
Stertor and Stridor Did you know rabbits snore? Even occurring while they are awake, it is generally a result of blockage in the animal’s airway. Typically referred to as stertor
Sinus Infections in Rabbits
Rhinitis And Sinusitis Rhinitis in rabbits is an inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane. Sinusitis is quite similar; it is an inflammation of the air-filled spaces surrounding the rabbit’s sinus
Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Infections in Rabbits
Treponematosis in Rabbits Treponematosis is a sexually transmitted infection in rabbits that is caused by a bacterial organism called Treponema paraluis cuniculi. This bacterium is spread by sexual contact between
Seizures (Epilepsy) in Rabbits
Idiopathic Epileptic Seizures in Rabbits Rabbits, much like humans, can suffer from epileptic seizures. Occurring when specific neurons in the brain reach a point of “hyper excitability.” This, in turn,
Runny Nose In Rabbits
Nasal Discharge and Sneezing in Rabbits Nasal discharges in rabbits may be characterized by its mucosity (thick and slimy), serosity (thin, watery), or blood-tinged color. Sneezing in rabbits, meanwhile, is
Respiratory Bacterial Infection in Rabbits
Pasteurellosis in Rabbits Infection with the Pasteurella multocida bacterium can result in a severe respiratory illness, generally characterized by nose infections, sinusitis, ear infections, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, and generalized infection of
Red Eye in Rabbits
Hyperemia and Red Eye in Rabbits Red eye is a relatively common condition which causes swelling or irritation in the rabbit’s eye or eyelid. This appearance of blood vessels in
Rabies in Rabbits
Rabies is a very severe and almost always fatal viral disease that occurs commonly in warm-blooded animals, including rabbits. It typically results in the swelling of the brain and nervous
Poisoning with Heavy Metal in Rabbits
Lead Toxicity in Rabbits Exposure to high concentrations of lead and its compounds can lead to a toxic condition called heavy metal poisoning. Almost all of the rabit’s body
Poisoning in Rabbits
Intoxication in Rabbits Ingestion of toxic substances has the potential for affecting many of a rabbit’s body systems. Intoxication, the clinical term given to poisoning, may be due to eating
Pneumonia in Rabbits
Pneumonia in Rabbits Pneumonia occurs when there is a severe inflammation in the lungs leading to dysfunction of the entire respiratory system. This inflammation may be due to a bacterial,
Partial or Complete Loss of Muscle Control in Rabbits
Paresis and Paralysis in Rabbits Paresis is defined as weakness of voluntary movement, or partial paralysis, while paralysis is the complete lack of voluntary movement. Symptoms and Types Four of
Parasitic Infection in Rabbits
Encephalitozoonosis in Rabbits Encephalitozoonosis is an infection caused by the parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi. It is well known in the rabbit community, and is also known to occasionally infect mice, guinea
Painful and Frequent Urination in Rabbits
Dysuria and Pollakiuria in Rabbits The urinary bladder normally serves as a reservoir for urine as it is excreted by the kidneys. The bladder stores the urine temporarily, periodically
Obesity in Rabbits
Excess body weight, or obesity, is as much a problem in rabbits as it is in any other species, especially household rabbits. Rabbits that are obese are not able to
Nonfood Item Obstruction of the Digestive Tract in Rabbits
Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Rabbits Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract occurs when a rabbit swallows large amounts of hair, fur, bedding, or other foreign objects that do not belong in
Neck And Back Pain in Rabbits
Neck and back pain are common causes for discomfort along the spinal column. For a rabbit that is affected by pain in the neck and/or back, the pain may originate
Myxoma Virus in Rabbits
Myxomatosis in Rabbits Myxomatosis refers to an often fatal disease that affects domestic and wild rabbit populations. This disease is caused by the myxoma virus, a species of the poxvirus
Matted Hair and Hairballs in the Stomach in Rabbits
Trichobezoars in Rabbits A trichobezoar is a technical reference for a mat of hair that has been ingested, and that is often combined with thick or undigested food. It is
Lung Tumors and Lung Cancer in Rabbits
Thymoma and Thymic Lymphoma in Rabbits Thymoma and thymic lymphoma are forms of cancer that originate in the lining of the lungs, and are the two main causes for lung
Lump under the Skin in Rabbits
Abscess in Rabbits An abscess is a localized collection of pus contained within a capsule-like lump under the skin. Unlike those of cats and dogs, abscesses in rabbits usually do
Loss of Weight and Muscle in Rabbits
Cachexia Weight loss can occur in rabbits, but when they lose 10 percent or more of their normal body weight it becomes a major concern — no longer an issue
Loss of Voluntary Control of Urination in Rabbits
Urinary Incontinence in Rabbits Urinary incontinence is clinically described as a condition in which there is loss of voluntary control of urination, usually observed as accidental urine leakage. This is
Loss of Appetite in Rabbits
Anorexia / Pseudoanorexia Anorexia is a loss of appetite. Pseudoanorexia, on the other hand, refers to animals that still have an appetite, but are unable to eat because they cannot
Limping Due to Pain or Injury in Rabbits
Lameness in Rabbits Lameness is defined as the disabillity of a limb to the point where movement is impaired. This is typically the result of a severe limb injury or
Kidney Failure in Rabbits
Renal Failure Rabbits, much like humans, suffer from renal failure. This causes them to produce less urine and is infrequently due to cases of dehydration. There are two forms of
Kidney and Urinary Obstruction and Inflammation in Rabbits
Nephrolithiasis and Ureterolithiasis in Rabbits The kidneys serve several important functions for the body. Chief among them is the regulation of the body’s blood pressure, regulation of electrolytes, and as
Itching or Scratching in Rabbits
Pruritus in Rabbits Pruritis is the sensation that provokes the rabbit to scratch, rub, chew, or lick a certain area of its skin. This is often indicative of inflamed skin
Inflammation of the Middle and Inner Ear in Rabbits
Otitis Media and Interna in Rabbits Otitis media and otitis interna are conditions in which there is inflammation of the middle and inner ear canals (respectively) in rabbits. It is
Inflammation of the Ear Canal in Rabbits
Otitis Externa and Otitis Media in Rabbits Inflammation of the external ear canal in rabbits is the term used to describe a group of symptoms or clinical signs that appear
