First Aid Kit?

If you think your rabbit is ill, you MUST take it to a vet as soon as possible. Time is often vital when considering health issues in rabbits and contacting people via e-mails may be time that can't be afforded, so first hand veterinary advice is paramount. Even out of hours, your local veterinary practice should offer a contact number to get advice from or go to if an examination is required. As rabbits are prey animals, they tend to hide any sign of illness until they can hide it no longer - by the time this happens, the rabbit is usually very poorly indeed! The suggested first aid kit is useful to have in case of emergencies, but the RWAF cannot stress enough, the need to locate a good rabbit vet well in advance of your rabbit actually needing one.

Critical care/supreme recovery formula: when your rabbit refuses to eat they can be syringe fed, both are specifically designs for small herbivores
Baby food: as above but usually easier to pass through a syringe, although less fibre and possibly higher in sugars which may ferment meaning it should only be used longer term with the advice of your vet. A lactose free vegetarian one should be used.
Gas medication (Simethicone): in case of a sudden gas build up. Various brands are acceptable (Infacol is widely available in the UK) For a detailed way to administer the medication as well as for proper dosages, look on bio.miami.edu for the article on rabbit gastrointestinal problems, but it is still very important to seek veterinary advice, if an obstruction, your rabbit could die without further attention, so it is only advisable for use after consultation with a vet.
Nail clippers (small): to prevent overgrowth of claws
Silver nitrate pencil, Styptic Powder or Cornflour: this is the trick if you trim your bunny's nails a little too short, and they begin to bleed. Simply dip the affected toe into the powder/flour or apply the pencil to help stem the flow
Scissors: to carefully trim the fur surrounding a wound. But take care as to the type you buy – ideally blunt ended and curved ones are available.
Syringes of various sizes: to syringe feed or flush areas or administer oral medications, 1ml syringes are the most useful.
Gauze and cotton: to care for wounds. Deeper wounds and abscesses should be assessed by a vet.
Optrex: for washing out eyes in an emergency although specific medicationsn appropriate for individual conditions need to be prescribed by your vet.
Tweezers: for picking off maggots in the event of fly strike
Probiotic: to help with potential gut upsets if stressed or ill
Wound powder: to help dry up wounds – to be used under veterinary supervision
A general purpose, safe barrier cream: to apply to sore skin eg under watery eyes/under chin/around genitals – seeking veterinary advice as to the cause of this moisture. Vaseline or Sudocrem are recommended.
A surgical scrub: such as hibiscrub, chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine to clean wounds.
NB they are not all safe to use in eyes as many have a soapy componant to them, your vet should be able to provide and advise.
A heatpad: such as a microwaveable Snugglesafe to use after GA's and when your rabbit is suffering from a decreased core temperature
Thermometer: a rectal one, preferrably digital along with a lubricant such as KY jelly. Do not use without tuition from your vet.

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