I am a rabbit owner who has learned along the way that bunnies are a real
joy. Sometimes, however, they get sick.

14 Reasons Why Your Rabbit is Unwell

Andriyko Podilnyk Public Domain via unsplash

Many pet owners can sense when their pet is unwell. But with rabbits, you need
to be quick to get them treated because if they don’t eat any food in a
24-hour period, it could be very deadly for them.

Rabbits cannot express how they feel. If a rabbit is unwell it will become
sullen, quiet and withdrawn. As a rabbit owner, you will need to be alert for
any change in their behavior.

As soon you suspect that something is wrong with your rabbit then you need to
take immediate action. Waiting even a few hours can be very dangerous as
something that is treatable could end up becoming very dangerous if it isn’t
treated as soon as possible.

Owning any pet will be a challenge. Rabbits, unlike cats and dogs, do not make
any verbal noises. So they cannot express how much pain they are in. If your
bunny rabbit becomes withdrawn or subdued then you need to figure out why. It
might be a diet change that is required or they might need to visit the
veterinarian for some kind of illness.

If you have never owned a rabbit before, then you need to be aware that they
are a silent animals. If they are sick or in pain they cannot verbally express
how much. Keeping a close watch on their body language and their behaviour are
two key ways to know that something is up.

Once you are aware that there is an issue the next step is to identify what is
the actual problem.

Some possible causes of illness in your rabbit could be mites, ear infection,
kidney infection, dental problems, hairballs, digestive problems, heatstroke,
GI stasis, obesity, snuffles, sore hocks, paralysis, fleas and lice.

Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease

There are a lot of owners who can be apprehensive of giving their rabbit the
vaccines for Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD).

While swelling near the area of the injection can be one of the side effects
most rabbits are reported to recover well. But some owners might notice that
their rabbits become lethargic or they might see a change in their normal
behaviour for a few days post-injection.

Veterinarians will always advise you to get the injections but always be aware
that your rabbit should be in the best of health before they get any type of
vaccinations.

The Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease is a very dangerous injection to be
administered so some veterinarians might not carry that one. But the
Myxomatois injection should be given if possible to your rabbit. But the
ultimate decision is with the owner of the rabbit on whether they decide to
vaccinate their pet or not.

If you live in the countryside and you know that wild rabbits visit your
property then it is important that your rabbit is vaccinated.

Protect Your Rabbit from Viruses

Rabbits need to be protected from these diseases:

• Myxomatosis: There is a vaccine against this disease that is given to rabbits in Europe at age 12 weeks.
• Viral Haemorrhagic Disease: This disease can lead to a painful death.

Scroll to Continue

Read More From Pethelpful

Why Does My Cat Sit on My Stuff?

Tips for Home Care for Your Vomiting Cat When You Cannot Visit the Vet

The Top 10 Fastest Dog Breeds

There are a few other things to be aware of if you own a rabbit. They are just
like other animals in that they can get health problems as well. Some can be
minor problems and others not so minor. Here are things you need to look out
for if you have a rabbit who doesn’t seem to be behaving normally.

Even a Healthy Rabbit Gets Sick Sometimes

The majority of bunny rabbit owners will never have a sick pet. If your rabbit
is fed a good diet and given the best of care, then it might be extremely
healthy for the rest of its life.

In fact, it is very rare that you will experience any problems with your
rabbit unless you house your rabbits outside, then things might be different
as you cannot control this variable.

Certain conditions can impact bunny rabbit/s and every rabbit owner needs to
be aware of how these can affect the rabbit.

As a bunny rabbit owner, you might never have to experience any of these
things with your pet. In fact, my rabbit only had to visit the vet once
outside his yearly check-up for a lump that mysteriously appeared on his chin
overnight. Thankfully this was not serious and antibiotics cleared it up but
it is always wise to be aware of these things.

Do a Physical on Your Rabbit

It is also advisable to do a physical on your pet as often as you can. If you
often pet your rabbit then all you need to do is get them used to you checking
inside their ears, their mouth and occasionally giving them a rub down along
the length of their body. You are doing a physical check as well as a visual
check to see if there is anything present on their body that shouldn’t be.

14 Reasons Why Your Bunny Might Be Sick

• Mites
• Ear infection
• Kidney infection
• Dental problems
• Hairballs
• Digestive problems
• Heatstroke
• GI stasis
• Obesity
• Snuffles
• Sore hocks
• Paralysis
• Fleas
• Lice

1. Mites

Type One: Ear Mites

Ear mites (Psoroptes cuniculi) are irritating creatures that can be found on
the inside of the rabbit’s ear close to the pinnae. These are not commonly
seen in domesticated rabbits, but that doesn’t mean that your rabbit can’t get
them. You could easily bring them in on your shoes or clothes and pass them on
to your pet. The signs of ear infestation are as follows:

• Excess shaking of rabbit’s head
• Constant scratching of ears
• Hair loss at the back of ears
• Crusty Inflamed inner ear

Type Two: Fur Mites

These types of ear mites (Cheyletiella parasitovorax and listrophorus
gibbus) are usually out around springtime. The main area that these mites
target will be the rabbit’s neck and back. You will notice a white type of
dust laying on the surface of your rabbit’s body. But these are the actual
culprits. If you notice that your rabbit is constantly scratching around this
area of their body, then they could be infected with these.

Type Three: Burrowing Mites

Burrowing mites (Sarcoptes scabiei and Notodetres cati) are not quite as
common. These types of mites won’t be as common in European rabbits and
rabbits in the United States. You might be lucky to never see them on your
rabbit. But unfortunately, some rabbits can be unlucky and get an infection.

The female mite will dig into the rabbit’s skin and leave her eggs there. They
hatch and live their life on the rabbit. They have a life cycle of laying 5
eggs up to 5 times. This all happens quite fast and can occur within 2-3
weeks. Again the only main symptom you might notice is white dust on the fur
of the rabbit which is an indication that your rabbit has an infestation of
mites.

If you suspect that your rabbit has any of these mites, then you need to get
them to a veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.

Bunny rabbits don’t have any way of telling you they are sick. You have to be
an attentive owner and watch their behaviour.

Sincerely Media Pubic Domain via unsplash

2. Ear Infection

Any animal can get an ear infection. They can be treated but if you catch them
as soon as they occur, they will be treated a lot quicker. Rabbits can get an
ear infection due to either:

1. Ear mites
2. Build-up of wax in the inner ear

Some things that you might notice prior to a diagnosis could be:

• Excessive head shaking
• Lots of scratching inside of the ear with the paw
• Your rabbit might be a bit disgruntled with you if you try to touch this area on their head.

So if you see your rabbit doing any of this then get it checked out because
something is wrong.

Don’t ignore any suspected case of head-shaking in your rabbit. If it is ear
mites then they need to be treated as soon as possible. This is the same with
excessive ear wax.

3. Kidney Infection

Rabbits are also prone to kidney disease and bladder stones just like other
pets. If you notice a change in your rabbit’s normal bathroom routine this
could be an indicator of a kidney infection.

For example, if your rabbit leaves no poop droppings in their litter tray when
they go to the toilet, then this is dangerous. It might be a simple case of
needing more fiber, i.e hay. But it could also be a much more serious sign
that something is wrong with your rabbit.

When a rabbit pees in a litter tray, it will do so in one spot. If your rabbit
uses a litter tray and you don’t see patches of wet urine in their toilet area
then something is wrong. Rabbit also poo a few times a day and will also do so
in the same area.

If your rabbit is neither peeing nor pooing then something isn’t right.

Urine

A rabbit’s normal urine could look clear, yellow, brown, or bright red. If
your rabbit stops eating and you are worried about it then bring it to the
vet. The worst-case scenario could be that there is blood in their urine.

Treatment

Your vet will take an X-ray of your rabbit’s kidneys to see if there is a
blockage or something else at play. They will also take a blood sample to
determine if anything else is causing the problem.

4. Dental Problems (Malocclusion)

Rabbits have four large incisors in the front of their mouth. Behind those,
they have two tiny ones called peg teeth. Then on the lower side of each
cheek, they have six upper and five lower teeth.

The front teeth cut the food and the back teeth grind the food.

When you bring your rabbit to the vet, they usually will check the mouth and
cheeks to make sure that no teeth are out of line in the rabbit’s jaw. The
reason that they do this is that a rabbit’s teeth grow 4 to 5 inches each
year.

It is important that you give rabbits wood sticks (available in pet stores) to
chew on every day. This helps wear down their teeth and it will stop them from
becoming overgrown.

Also when your rabbit grinds hay in his/her mouth this is also helping them to
wear their teeth down.

If a rabbit’s teeth are not worn down they will become overgrown. This is
called malocclusion. When this happens your vet will need to trim the rabbit’s
teeth and most likely it will be a constant thing for the rest of the rabbit’s
life.

Diagram of a Normal Rabbit Jaw

This is what your rabbit’s jaw looks like in an X-ray.

5. Hairballs

Just like cats, rabbits can get hairballs. If they are severe, then the rabbit
can die because unlike cats, they cannot vomit up the hairballs.

Since most rabbits moult (shed their coat) a few times a year (depending on
the breed) you are likely to have some of their hair flying around. You need
to remove this from their living area.

To avoid hairballs, make sure your rabbit has a supply of hay—alfalfa or
Timothy. This will keep their digestive tract clear.

5 Ways on How to Prevent Hairballs in Rabbits

1. Groom your rabbit a few times a week.
2. Feed them a diet of high fibre pellets.
3. Give them plenty of water.
4. Clean out any loose hair from their bedding area, especially during the moulting season.
5. Let them have room to run around in or if you have a garden put out an enclosure that they can get plenty of exercise in.

6. Digestive Problems

If you feed your rabbit the right food then you can reduce the risk of them
having any digestive issues later on in life.

High Fibre Pellet

When you are buying food for your rabbit it is important that you buy rabbit
food with a high fibre content but one that has as a low sugar content. Any
type of muesli rabbit food is going to be full of sugar and fruit which can be
bad in the long term for your rabbit. High fibre rabbit food will help to keep
your rabbit’s intestines in good working order. Also it will fill them up
quicker and chewing the pellets will help to wear down their teeth.

Hay

You need to give your rabbit a fresh supply of hay each day. Give them an
amount of hay that is half the size of their body. Hay does two things.
Firstly it helps them wear down their teeth and secondly it helps to keep
everything moving along in their bowels.

Treats

Only give your rabbit fruit or vegetable sparingly. Do not feed your rabbit
these things every day.

Commercial Treats

If possible never feed your rabbit commercial rabbit treats. They are full of
sugar and they only become addicted to them and some can cause diarrhoea. You
are better of giving them some pieces of carrot.

Diarrhoea

If a rabbit does get diarrhoea, bring him to the vet immediately because it
could be fatal. You need to watch the dropping to see if they are not normal.

Rabbit Poo

Normal rabbit dropping are small, brown balls, or they could be soft and
lumpy. It’s when their poo is smelly or runny that you should be concerned.

Also, if your rabbit stops eating, this is another sign that all is not okay.

7. Heatstroke

During the summer months you might usually have your rabbit out in your garden
in his/her pen. You need to be aware that you should have a shaded area for
your rabbit to go when it gets too hot.

Signs of Rabbit Heatstroke

• Panting
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Convulsing
• Red ears
• Salivating

How to Avoid Heatstroke

1. Place ice in a water bowl nearby.
2. Place a bottle of ice-cold water in their pen/cage so they can lie against it to cool down.
3. Keep them out of direct sun/heat and place in a cool shaded area.
4. Mist their ears with a spray bottle containing water because heat leaves the rabbit through their ears.
5. Place a damp towel over the pen/cage.

If you suspect your rabbit is suffering from heatstroke then bring them to the
veterinarian straight away.

8. GI Stasis (Gastrointestina stasis)

This occurs when the food ingested by the rabbit is passed through the
digestive tract at a slower than normal pace or stops altogether. If your
rabbit is not feeling well, he will not eat or drink which can make the
situation worst.

Why GI Stasis Might Occur

• Hair ingestion
• Low-fibre diet
• Eating human food
• Obesity
• Depression caused by the death of another rabbit in the pack

Also, if you check their droppings, you might notice hair in it. Your rabbit
might also develop diarrhea.

If your rabbit is suffering from this, they need to be brought to the vet for
an X-ray. This will help decide the best treatment for your rabbit.

It is important to feed your rabbit a healthy diet of pellets with a high
fibre content. Do not overdo it on the vegetables and fruit. A treat once or
twice a week is enough.

sangia Public Domain via upsplash.com

9. Obesity

It is up to you as a pet owner to monitor what you are feeding your rabbit. If
you look at the feeding guide on the packaging of the rabbit food it will
state how much pellets you give to the weight of your rabbit. Same with hay.

So you need to get your vet to weight your rabbit and let you know if he is
the correct weight for his breed. Usually when you give hay, you give them the
amount to the size of their body. But since hay is good for their digestive
system you really can never give them too much.

10. Snuffles (Pasteuella)

Many a time you will hear your rabbit give a sneeze; this may simply be the
result of inhaling dust around your house. This is not a problem.

Symptoms That Are Cause for Concern

• Watery nasal discharge
• Sneezing accompanied by a thick white or yellow nasal discharge
• Loud snuffling or snoring sound (excess fluid in nasal tract)
• Discharge on forepaws if cleaning their face (might spread to the eyes and ear causing conjunctivitis and ear infections)

If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your rabbit to the vet straight
away because the earlier it is treated with antibiotics the better chance of
survival for your rabbit.

11. Sore Hocks

If you don’t have sufficient bedding in your rabbit hutch, this is how sore
hock occurs. It’s the wire which hurts their feet. Also, if you don’t change
their bedding regularly this would also be a factor. You need to either add
more bedding hay to the hutch or add a blanket or towel.

Signs of Sore Hocks

• Missing hair on the back legs near the bend
• Redness on the back legs near the bend

How to Make Your Rabbit More Comfortable

• Wash their legs
• Gently trim loose fur in that area
• Relieve irritation with Bag Balm or calamine lotion

If there are any open wounds, I suggest you head to the vet, as they can
prescribe antibiotics and give you some good advice on what else is needed.

12. Paralysis

This will occur if you do not handle your rabbit with care. When picking up a
rabbit you need to support their backside and their tummy. Bring them into
your chest and have them lying flat. When you pick up your rabbit the first
thing they will try to do is kick out with their back legs. Some rabbits don’t
like been picked up, but most owners like to pick them up and move them from
point A to B.

If your rabbit fell from a height, there is a good chance they could break a
leg or even their spine. In turn they could suffer paralysis. If severe, your
rabbit might need to be put down. So please be extremely careful when handling
rabbits.

13. Fleas

****If your rabbit gets infected by fleas you can get a cure from your vet.
Again if you own one rabbit, you’re very likely not to have an infestation.
But if you have a cat, they might pass fleas on to the rabbit, but according
to my vet it is very uncommon.

Unless you have the two living in the same area, they should not spread from
one to another. Usually it occurs when a person had a few rabbits. There are
two common fleas: Ctenocephalides Canis and Felis.

You will notice fleas on your rabbit because either they might jump onto your
hand when petting them or your rabbit will be constantly scratching them self.
Also, you might notice they are missing clumps of hair from their body. So
bring your rabbit to the vet for advice and cure.

14. Lice

Lice (Cheyleteilla parasitovorax) can sometimes come in on your clothes, or
if your rabbit is living in a dirty environment/hutch that is not cleaned
weekly, fleas can just appear. You will notice these creatures on your pet.
They live on the surface of the skin and will look like dandruff. If you think
your rabbit is infected, bring him/her to the vet for treatment.

Conclusion

****These are just some common problems that can happen to a rabbit. If you
suspect your rabbit has any of the above problems, bring him to a vet that
specializes in rabbit care.

I’m not an expert in this area but I have had my own rabbit for over three
years. So far he has had only one minor health problem in his life. He
recently had an ear infection.

Beware to keep an eye on your pet. Make sure you feed him a good diet, keep
his living area clean, and bring them to the vet yearly for his injections and
regular check-up. If there is a problem, the earlier they are diagnosed, the
sooner they will get better.

Sources

Do I Need to Vaccinate my Bunny?
https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2019/06/23/do-i-need-to-vaccinate-my-bunny/

Matted Hair and Hairballs in the Stomach in Rabbits (2010) PETMD
https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/conditions/digestive/c_rb_trichobezoars

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It
is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription,
or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional.
Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a
veterinarian immediately.

Questions & Answers

Question: My bunny is not active at all nowadays. He used come running
whenever he sees I’m coming inside the room with food. He used to run all over
the place, wake me up every morning and most active in the night time. But now
it’s been 3 days and he’s not eating properly and not doing anything except
for laying down all day and night. What should I do? What’s wrong with him I
don’t get it.

Answer: I would bring him to a veterinarian to see if there is an issue.
If he isn’t eating well then this could mess up his system and cause internal
issues. He also might not like the brand of food or he could be bored and need
more toys in his cage to help keep him entertained. First, get him checked out
and then from there look at his environment.

Question: My bunny has been acting different lately and his stomach is
gurgling. I am getting worried because he is eating and drinking a lot more
than usual and today he just had a weird mild type of urine. I brought him to
the vet for the stomach issue but he said it was something he swallowed. But
three weeks later his stomach is still gurgling and he’s acting a bit
different. What is wrong with my rabbit?

Answer: I have heard the gurgling sounds from my bunny rabbits stomach
before and there was no issue. Sometimes if they haven’t eaten enough fiber,
their stomach makes weird noises. Rabbits don’t overeat. They only eat what
they need to and once they are full, they will stop. So it’s unusual to see a
rabbit eating more than normal. What type of food are you feeding it? If it’s
food full of fruit and seeds then expect your rabbit to overindulge because
they love this. If it’s a high fiber pellet, then a little bit will fill them
up a lot quicker. If your rabbit swallowed something, the vet should have done
an x-ray or a physical exam just to give you peace of mind. But if your rabbit
is not having issues now when it’s eating, then it could be resolved.

Regarding the urine issue, if your rabbit is six to eight months, then the
smell and frequency of their urine can be related to them becoming mature and
entering adulthood. But also some food does cause the urine to smell or change
color depending on how much of it they eat. But if you think there is an issue
with your rabbit, then do go to another veterinarian who has experience with
rabbits for a second opinion.

Question: I have 4 baby rabbits and they were very active and healthy. At
2 months old I was giving them baths and they looked great after it. Today
they are nearly 2 1/2 months old and I gave them a bath because they have
dirty fur. Everything was fine but one of the babies is not good. It’s not
active like the remaining three. It’s sitting in silence not eating & not
moving and it makes a sound while I am touching its nose. Is it a serious
problems? Please help me. I want my baby bunny to be happy??

Answer: I’m sorry to hear about your bunny. Hopefully, it isn’t anything
serious and just something mild. Maybe it doesn’t want to be touched or it
could be sick. If this behaviour continues, I would bring it to a pet clinic
to get it checked out. Also, rabbits will clean their own fur and if rabbits
are in pairs they usually groom and clean each other. If it stops eating,
drinking & pooping then this will be dangerous and you will need to seek
medical attention for it.

Question: I found a wild baby bunny after its mother was ran over. Now a
few days after having it, it’s not standing on its own. But it will kick it’s
legs and try to run. What does that mean? Did it have a stroke? I mean it’s
only been outside once and it was sixty something degrees with no humidity.

Answer: That is a bit worrying. If it is kicking the legs out, there
might be some feeling and sensation there. Just like humans, all animals
including rabbits can hurt their joints when they do a maneuver that might
cause something to move out of place. To determine if it was a joint issues,
it would need an x-ray. Then depending on the situation, it would be confined
to a small play area to allow the issue to heal. Very little movement or
jumping would be allowed to ensure it healed. You would also be given some
pain killers.

However if it was heat stroke which is dangerous if not treated, I think you
would have seen things worsen very quickly. Could it have been a tick or
something?

Since it is a wild rabbit maybe there is a rescue centre who might help you
for a small donation or a veterinarian who deals with small animals. Choose a
vet with expertise in this area as some general vets might not be able to
treat the issue.

Question: Is it normal that my bunny does not move at all when she is
sleeping? Her ears are flat down and she breaths more slowly and her eyes are
wide open when she is sleeping. Is there something wrong with my bunny?

Answer: Regarding the flat ears, this varies from rabbit to rabbit. Most
rabbits will see their ears drop and hang down by their cheek as they develop
from baby to adulthood. So this is relatively normal to see. But if they hear
any noises, those ears are definitely listening. Most rabbits will sleep with
their eyes open. This trick is developed early on for predators. Rabbits take
lots of naps during the day. So while the eyes are opened, they are actually
having a little nap. Our breathing slows down when we relax and are no longer
active, the same goes for pets. But it is good that you notice these things
now as you will be alert for any issues that could arise down the way.

Question: My bunny gave birth and she had four babies but one of the
babies is sick. What can I do?

Answer: It would be wise to see a veterinarian.

Question: How can I tell if my bunny’s back leg hurts?

Answer: If your bunny is not moving at his/her normal speed, it is
sitting still for longer periods of time than it normally does, or it squeaks
when you touch that area, then there could be an underlying issue.

Question: My bunny has some sort of gray spots on her face. I don’t know
if she ever had that before. What should I do?

Answer: If you are worried that it looks suspicious and you are sure it
hasnt been there before, then go see your local veterinarian and ask them for
advice. It’s better to be over cautious than to ignore an underlying issue.

Question: My bunny is not eating or drinking and he has diarrhea.
Sometimes he is shaking and his ears are cold. It’s like he is a robot and not
moving. He can’t see where he’s going. He steps into his water and food and
bumps into things. He is very skinny. What treatment does he need?

Answer: If your rabbit has diarrahorea, then he could become dehydrated
which leads to him becoming legarthic and your rabbit would stay still and
become disorientated.

If possible see if any clinic offers payment plans as it seems like your
rabbit needs immediate help.

Your bunny needs to eat and drink water, if they do not voluntarily eat, then
you can get rescue remedy for your rabbit.

But it is usually better to visit a veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis and
a treatment plan. This rescue remedy is a temporary solution which might not
even help you.

If rabbits don’t eat, then their body starts shutting down and they can die.

Question: If the face is never cleaned, will a bunny get sick & die?

Answer: A rabbit needs to have a clean cage and litter tray. If it is
dirty they will end up standing in their poo. If you have a rabbit, it is best
to have a little tray that is an inch from the ground for them to use as a
toilet. Place wood chips in this tray. Clean the tray every day with warm
water and soap. Remove the dirty wood chips and put in new wood chips every
day.

Question: Why has my rabbit got dirty whiskers?

Answer: Is it digging outside in the ground? Does it have a dirty litter
tray? Maybe it just has naturally dark whiskers.

Question: My bunny is older and has recently started scratching his nose
on his water bottle that he drinks from. It is becoming red and the water
drips onto his nose from the water bottle. When he does this I’m afraid it
will eventually become infected. What should i do? Is there a reason for him
to be scratching it? He also is very itchy at his rear.

Answer: That’s very usual. I know sometimes rabbits can hit things with
their nose to move it out of the way. If he is banging his nose against it,
maybe there is an issue with something irritating his face or gums. If the
skin breaks, then he could cut his nose and it will be harder to stop him. He
might want to be let out of his cage. Rabbits need space and when they want to
be let out they can to random things to get attention. Being in a cage all day
is very boring. Also make sure he has things in his cage to keep him
entertained.

If he has an itchy butt then he could have faeces stuck on his tail and this
is annoying him. If so you need to clean it with a warm soft wet cloth with
pet wash. This happened to my guy before. Wear gloves.

Try changing his daily habits to see if anything stops him. Also try putting
in a bowl of water and take out the bottle. Some rabbits prefer the bowl over
the bottle.

Question: My bunny stays very still for a long time. She is fine
otherwise. She is 7. Is it because she is just getting older?

Answer: As bunny rabbits get older, they will become less playful and are
more inclined to just chill out on the couch with you and lay around doing
nothing. As long you give it lots of attention when you at home, then things
should be fine. But always be vigilant for any unusual behaviour because just
like cats and dogs, rabbits cannot let you know if they are unwell.

Question: My rabbit is suddenly scratching his right ear a lot, jerking
his head too much, sitting in a hunched up position and grinding his teeth
from time to time. Unfortunately, I live in a place where there are no exotic
or rabbit savvy vet. Any suggestions? What could be wrong?

Answer: My rabbit had an issue with a build-up of ear wax. I had to put
drops in both ears for 10 days. It was a liquid that cats and dogs would also
be prescribed. If your rabbit doesn’t have ear mites or any other symptoms,
then this could be the cause of the head shaking. Check the ears to see if
this is the issue. Also maybe something got stuck in the ear and it’s trying
to get it out.

Regarding the teeth grinding issue. This could mean two things. One when
rabbits grind their teeth, it can be a sign of happiness. It doesn’t happen
often and it’s hard to predict when it could occur but it does happen.
Secondly, it could also be a teeth issue. Do you give your rabbit wood stick
or untreated wood to chew on? Some pets stores sell wood, especially for
rabbits. If rabbits don’t chew wood then their back teeth next to their cheeks
will grow down toward the tongue which will then require your rabbit going to
the vet to get its teeth filed down under gas. This isn’t a common thing and
it’s only when your rabbit stops eating that these things are looked at to
eliminate it as the cause.

Giving your rabbit wood to chew and hard food pellets will help them with
grinding down the two rows of teeth which stops this issue.

Question: Is it normal that my baby bunnies ears’ are very warm?

Answer: Some animals like bunny rabbits have warm ears as there is blood
flowing to this area of their body. Since a rabbit has a thinner layer of hair
around its ears compared to the rest of its body, you will often find that
their ears feel very warm when you are rubbing their head. Unless there are
other symptoms that make you suspicious of your bunny rabbit health, then it
shouldn’t be an issue. However as an owner always stay alert when there is hot
weather as pets are susceptible to heatstroke. Keep them inside in a cool
room.

Question: My mother’s rabbits has had babies and one of them is much
smaller than the other one. It keeps trying to walk but it can only seems to
go around in circles. It also keeps pointing its head upwards. Is it because
he’s a runt or is there something wrong?

Answer: First off if it is the runt then it might need additional
attention to ensure that it gets stronger. Looking up and moving around in
circles could be because it is looking for its mom or it could just be
confused. Maybe try to ensure it gets enough of its mother milk. When it gets
to six weeks try to supplement the mothers milk with additional food. But keep
an eye on it when it is walking and moving to see if it has any issues with
its balance. You might need to seek medical attention later on if it continues
to have issues with its head. But if it can walk ok and move around ok without
falling over, then it might grow out of it.

© 2011 Sp Greaney