When to Take Your Rabbit to the Vet

Does something seem wrong with your bunny? By the time a prey animal, like a rabbit, shows signs of illness, it’s important to take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Knowing when, and with what urgency, to take your bunny to a vet, which vet to use, and what to do until you can get appropriate quality care are the most important things you can do to help save your rabbit’s life.

Some emergencies require you to drop everything and take your bunny to a veterinary hospital immediately. These include labored breathing, seizures, and unresponsiveness. Any major trauma or accident that has caused bleeding, pain, or any wounds in which the thin skin is torn, broken or has maggots, can also be lifethreatening and need urgent medical attention. Since bunnies often get sick at night and on weekends, know what your vet hospital’s hours are, and the availability of your regular vet. Having a recommendation from your vet for a 24 hour emergency hospital that not only “sees” rabbits, but likely has a vet in house who has good rabbit knowledge is key. This information should be posted in your home before you ever need it! Be aware that in life-threatening emergencies, basic veterinary care is the same across different species, so any emergency vet will be able to help, even without additional training in rabbit medicine. Even if your vet is in, there is a chance you may be referred to an emergency facility if your regular hospital does not have the equipment, staff, or availability to handle your particular crisis. This does not mean that your vet doesn’t love, and want to help your rabbit, but that your vet is trying his/her best to balance the needs of many patients. In this circumstance, your vet will refer you to the emergency facility that is best equipped to treat your rabbit’s specific problem.

Another emergency that can be less urgent if caught early is gastrointestinal stasis (when your bunny stops eating and produces no poop or a decreased number of stool pellets). If this problem has just started and you can see your preferred vet within the next twelve hours of the onset of signs, you may be able to provide basic supportive care. Every rabbit home should have some syringe feeding formula (Oxbow Critical Care or similar) for this situation, but in a pinch pellets soaked in water will do. Between force feedings of liquid and food, abdominal massages, and encouraging your bunny to hop around to get the intestines moving, you may be able to bridge the gap until good vet care is available. However, if you are unsure of how long it has been since your rabbit ate or pooped, or s/he seems very distressed, a trip to the emergency hospital is warranted. Severe diarrhea is also an emergency.

For less dangerous health issues, next day vet appointments may be acceptable if your bunny is otherwise acting normally. These include discharge from the nose or sneezing, eye issues, mild head tilt, drooling, and lumps or bumps. Skin and fur changes (other than maggots) can wait even longer to be addressed, but it is still best to make an effort to be seen sooner rather than later.

There are many articles that discuss finding a regular rabbit vet. A good source for recommendations is from the local rescue group. Remember that a vet’s bedside manner is important, but medical and surgical skills are even more critical. The support staff at the hospital should put you and your bunny at ease by being empathetic and competent. Since the nurses/technicians are the ones who will probably be taking blood, radiographs (X-rays) and administering treatment, as well as filling medications and answering basic questions, their knowledge of rabbit behavior and medical issues is almost as important as that of the vet. When you adopt a new bunny, once your new friend has settled in, and you have built an understanding of his/her personality and interests, it is important to schedule a veterinary appointment within a few weeks for a routine checkup. During this visit, any medical issues, current or potential, can be identified and a medical treatment plan made, if necessary. Also, having your bunny as an established patient at the clinic facilitates getting an appointment in case of any issues requiring immediate attention, since a vet can be more amenable to wreaking havoc with their appointment and personal schedule for someone who is not a demanding stranger. Yearly exams are an excellent opportunity to identify any issues early on, especially weight problems or dental disease, before they cause your bunny to act sick. I recommend exams every six months once a bunny has reached five years of age, since the senior bunny is more likely to develop problems. Preventative medicine in rabbits is still in its early stages, but a thorough physical exam is the cornerstone to heading off future issues. Above all, go with your gut feeling as to what, and with whom, will meet your rabbit’s needs. Remember that your lagomorph friend can’t talk, and it is your responsibility to be his/her health advocate!