As bun parents, we all want to keep our animals happy and healthy. Keeping with that school of thought, an old saying says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” To keep your loveable lagomorphs healthy, all bunnies should get a wellness exam from your trusted exotic veterinarian annually.
Additionally, all rabbits should have an at-home health check at least three times a week. You’re probably thinking, “I’m not a vet. Why should I do this, and what should I look for?” Don’t worry! We’re going to explain why everyday rabbit health checks are essential. Moreover, we will introduce you to some easy health check techniques.
Isn’t an Annual Wellness Visit Enough?
In short, no. Rabbits are prey animals. Prey animals excel at hiding when they’re not feeling well, so predators don’t pick up on their weaknesses. Even after you gain your bun’s trust, they may not exhibit symptoms when ill. Knowing how they act and look when your lagomorph feels well will make it much easier to tell when something is wrong. Making Everyday health checks a part of your routine enables you to detect a problem before it becomes an emergency.
The Task List
• Grooming: while you brush your pet, look for any unusual growths, missing patches of fur, or irritated areas they’ve been biting or chewing. Feel their body for lumps.
• Nose: check for any soreness or unusual discharge.
• Eyes: The eyes should be bright and clear. Look for green or yellow discharge and excessive tear production, and make sure they’re not red or bloodshot in appearance.
• Ears: Look and smell inside. Note if they smell funny or your pet seems to be in pain when you touch their ears. Look to see if the skin in or on the back of the ears is irritated. Check for excessive discharge inside the ears.
• Nails: Ensure they’re not too long, broken, or embedded in the paws.
• Feet/Paws: Check the hocks for cracking or irritation. Feel between the toes to ensure nothing is stuck between them.
• Rear-end (under the tail): Look for irritation and swelling around the areas where they poop and pee.
• Hop on the scale: Your vet can tell you what your pet should weigh during their annual wellness exam. If their weight fluctuates wildly, it can be a sign of something more serious.
Still Scared?
That’s ok. Many rabbit rescues provide the opportunity to learn how to complete everyday health checks at a low cost. Additionally, many rescues hold classes in person and via video teleconference to give you paws-on health checks training.
Written by Best4bunny writer, Jess Sullivan. Bunny mum, animal advocate and enthusiast.
