FROM THE RWAF FIRST ALERT -
We've had very hot weather of late and the forecast is that it is
going to be even hotter towards the end of this week. This is great
news for us, as most of us enjoy the sunshine, but it can be a
terrible time for rabbits, particularly those kept outside. Please
take steps to project your rabbit from the heat, and from Flystrike.
Some tips are pasted below, and these tips are available on a link on
our homepage
www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk, and on the news page too. As
always, most people on this group will already have taken precautions,
but please pass this information on to anybody you know who owns a
rabbit, and feel free to circulate it on any other rabbit groups you
subscribe to.
Thanks.
Cool and Clean – Protect Your Rabbit in the Hot Weather
In the hot summer weather please remember to do everything you can to
keep your rabbits cool and comfortable. In the wild they can burrow
below ground to keep cool but domestic rabbits don’t have that luxury
so please do what you can.
If your rabbits are outside then please make sure they have plenty of
shade. If their run can be put over cold paving slabs out of sunlight
then they can spread themselves out over the cool stones to keep their
temperature down. Battery operated fans are also a good idea and can
be picked up cheaply on ebay or in shops. It’s important to make sure
that the rabbits can’t get any part of their body caught in the fan
though. A good trick is to freeze a plastic bottle of water for them
to lean against if they are too hot. Please note that the bottle must
always be wrapped in a tea towel to prevent ice-burn. Keep a spare in
the freezer to replace the other when it thaws. Garden umbrellas are
also a good idea to keep a run out of direct sunlight but please be
sure to move it as the sun’s position changes so it continues to
provide cover.
And please always be on the lookout for the risk of Flystrike, which
is much greater in the hot weather as the number of flies increases.
For those who don’t know, Flystrike is a common and deadly condition
for domestic rabbits, where flies lay their eggs in soiled fur,
resulting in maggots hatching and literally eating the rabbit’s
flesh. Ideally rabbits should be cleaned out every day and be given
clean, fresh hay. Check your rabbit’s bottom regularly and ensure
that it is clean. If not then gently clean with lukewarm water and
cotton wool, before patting dry with kitchen towel. Another trouble
spot for flystrike is just above the tail, so please be sure to check
there too. If your rabbit has long hair then it needs to be brushed
regularly. Plastic netting can be obtained from DIY shops and placed
over runs and hutches to prevent flies getting in easily.
Keep an eye on your buns, and if you have any doubts then please get
them checked out by a vet. Remember that rabbits are prey animals and
will, by instinct, disguise any illness or injury as much as possible,
so please watch carefully and observe any signs of over heating, or
any other kind of problem.