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April

APRIL is "Bunny month"  and this month's offers concern your rabbit's welfare.

 OFFERS:

FREE  - Rabbit Health Checks

10% DISCOUNT on:-

  • Vaccinations for Myxomatosis & Viral Haemorrhagic Disease
  • Neutering
  • Panacur paste for worming and treatment for E.Cuniculi
  • Xenex Ultra spot on to repel fleas & flies

Common rabbit diseases.

VIRAL DISEASES.

There are 2 major viral diseases that kill rabbits both in the wild and in domestic situations. These are Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. They are both spread by biting insects such as rabbit fleas, midges and mosquitos. The virus is transmitted through the saliva of the insect when it sucks blood from the rabbit. These insect vectors will travel from wild rabbits to pet rabbits in gardens. Prevention is by regular vaccination.

  • Myxomatosis causes a slow and painful death. Classic sypmtoms are swollen and pussy eyes, nasal discharge and swollen genitals and evental death through respiratory failure. Infected wild rabbits are commonly seen in fields and hedgerows and by roadside verges. The only humane treatment is euthanasia.
  • Viral Haemorrhagic Disease causes sudden death from internal haemorrage and often the rabbit is just found dead in the cage in a morning.

Encephalitozoon Cuniculi is a parasite that can be present either as a latent disease in rabbits causing no obvious symptoms or can cause a variety of symptoms. These include kidney disease, muscle weakness and wobbliness, severe loss of weight, increased thirst and urination, neurological symptoms in the brain and death.

Vestibular syndrome shows as a tilting of the head to one side and can cause the rabbit to keep rolling over and over which can be distressing for both the animal and the owner. There can also be twitching of the eyes or covering by the third eyelid. This condition can be caused by two types of infection:

  • E. Cuniculi causing damage within the brain
  • Pasteurella bacteria causing an inner ear infection

Treatment for this is not always successful although many rabbits do survive but have a residual mild head tilt and balance problems. Treatment consists of panacur wormer and antibiotics. Regular worming with panacur can help reduce the incidence of clinical signs of E. Cuniculi.

FLY STRIKE AND MAGGOTS are unfortunately far too common in the warmer summer months when there are a lot of flies around. The build up of loose droppings or urine on the rear end of the rabbit attracts the flies to lay their eggs in the rabbit's fur. These look like cream coloured clumps of rice and if seen should be combed out as quickly as possible before they become tiny maggots. Once maggots are present they can cause a tremendous amount of damage to the skin in the genital and tail area and can also burrow into the abdomen of the rabbit. If not seen and treated very quickly thay can cause severe shock and kill the rabbit.

  • Remember to check your rabbit for fly eggs and a dirty bottom at least once daily but preferably twice daily.
  • If your rabbit has a messy bottom soak the area and wash the area with a mild shampoo to remove the smell.
  • If fly eggs or maggots are seen then seek Veterinary attention immediately and do not delay - it might be the difference between life and death for your pet.