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Avoiding Illnesses

marchi1990

marchi1990

Mama Doe
Hello everyone, bit of a question about avoiding rabbit illnesses!

Other than the obvious double jabs, is there anything you all do to avoid certain illnesses in your rabbits?

Just want to be safe and not sorry!

All advice appreciated, as always.
 
The only thing that pops into my head is teeth... making sure your rabbits eat a lot of hay right from day one can prevent a lot of dental treatment (unless it's a genetic malloclusion thing, but even then things can be improved with good hay). Flystrike is avoidable too - feeding too many rich pellets or too much veg can cause excess caecals that your bun won't eat and often they get stuck to bums and smell icky, which attracts flies.

Lots of exercise and avoiding too much calcium can help with bladder sludge but don't think it is completely avoidable.
 
Yep I think appropriate diet (high in hay, limited pellets, some veg/herbs etc) will help keep teeth in good shape and will also help keep the gut running smoothly.

Large pen/plenty of exercise will help keep bunny fit and healthy and avoid obesity and other problems related to lack of muscle use

Plenty of fresh air/good airflow will prevent build up of mould spores/bacteria

Regular cleaning out to prevent flystrike and build up of mould spores/bacteria in living accommodation

Certain bunnies (e.g. rex breeds) are prone to sore hocks so using/avoiding certain types of housing can help to reduce this risk
 
The other thing I am careful about is what shoes I wear to go into the run/shed. I only wear shoes that haven't walked on ground where wild rabbits have been so not my runners or walking shoes or anything that's been on nature reserves etc.
When they were in a hutch we also had a fly net on to keep the mosquitos and flies out.
 
Thank you so much, they are all brilliant suggestions - I have taken it all on board! The link is also very useful :D
 
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