Common diseases that can affect pet rabbits include myxomatosis, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (rabbit calicivirus disease), head tilt, flystrike, snuffles (a respiratory infection), gastrointestinal stasis, overgrown teeth, and bumble foot. We’ve put together some information on these common pet rabbit diseases and symptoms, so you know what to keep an eye out for in your furry friend.

Bumble Foot (Pododermatitis)

Bumble foot refers to pressure sores on your rabbit’s hocks (the heels of the back legs). There are lots of causes including obesity, poor conformation, leg or spinal injury, pain, arthritis, inactivity, overgrown claws. Problems that cause your rabbit to move around less means they’ll put more weight on their back legs leading to painful pressure sores.

If it’s left, bacterial infection can easily take hold and will eventually affect the tendons and bones. This condition may even be fatal, especially if severe pain leads to anorexia or if an infection spreads to the rest of your rabbit’s body.

Addressing the underlying cause of bumble foot is essential. Use soft dry bedding on the floor of your rabbit’s enclosure, feed a balanced diet, prevent obesity, clip claws regularly, and make sure your rabbit is treated for any other conditions like arthritis.

In early cases, your vet may be able to prescribe ointment to help protect the feet. Severe cases may need dressing with a soft bandage, and antibiotics to treat an infection. Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relief medications may also be prescribed.

Fly Strike (Myiasis)

Flystrike can happen at any time of year but is most common when the weather is a bit warmer. Flies lay their eggs on the rabbit which hatch into maggots. The maggots then eat the rabbit’s skin causing tissue damage and immense pain.

Flystrike can be fatal even if treated quickly. Any rabbit can be affected, and it only takes one small area of soiled fur or skin, or a scratch to attract a fly. Rabbits with dirty bottoms are commonly affected, so make sure your rabbit and their enclosure are always kept clean and dry. Rabbits with long hair are more likely to be affected because their poo is more likely to stick to their fur and attract flies.

Preventative measures include feeding a balanced diet, avoiding obesity, keeping your bunny clean and dry, protect them from flies and check them over regularly for any potential problems. Fly strike can be treated if it’s found early, but successful treatment depends on the amount of damage already caused by the maggots. If you think your rabbit is suffering from fly strike, get them vet checked straight away.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis

GI stasis is when the rabbit’s gut stops moving properly. Rabbits can’t go for long periods without any food in their digestive system. If your rabbit stops eating or eats less, the GI tract will either stop moving (stasis) or will slow down (ileus).

GI stasis can prove fatal within a couple of hours. If you don’t see your rabbit eat for a few hours keep an eye on their behaviour and call your vet for advice. Causes include general pain, dental problems, illness, poor diet, dehydration, toxins, foreign body, and stress. These issues must be addressed to ensure stasis doesn’t keep on recurring.

Feeding a diet high in fibre, with moderate protein and low in carbohydrate will help prevent GI stasis. If you think your rabbit is suffering from GI stasis, call your vet immediately, it’s an emergency and must be treated as soon as possible.

Head Tilt (Torticollis)

Head tilt is a vestibular syndrome that affects balance. Causes include Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection, ear infection, ear mites, trauma neck abscess, pasteurellosis and toxoplasmosis. The main sign is the rotation of the head to one side, but other signs include flickering eyes, conjunctivitis, rolling/circling/seizures, headshaking, ear scratching, nasal discharge/respiratory signs, urine scalding, reduced appetite, reduced toileting, signs of pain, e.g. hunched up, closed eyes.

Head tilt is an emergency, so if you think your rabbit is having problems, call your vet immediately. Your vet will need to check your rabbit over and will need to do some tests to find out the cause. They may do blood tests, take x-rays or CT scans of your rabbit’s head.

Myxomatosis

Every rabbit owner has heard of myxomatosis! Myxomatosis is a disease caused by the myxoma virus which is widespread in wild rabbits and domestic rabbits. It’s spread by biting flies or fleas and other vectors like non-biting insects, bedding and food.

The incubation period is around 8-21 days. When the virus gets into the bloodstream it causes clinical signs like swelling of the lips, eyelids, and genitals. It may also cause a high temperature, depression, rash/lumps, and difficulty breathing.

Unfortunately, not many rabbits survive myxomatosis, even with supportive care. If it develops in a vaccinated rabbit, treatment is usually more successful but can take many weeks, even months of intensive care. Prevention is key, so make sure your rabbit is vaccinated for myxomatosis to give them the best chance!

Overgrown Teeth

Rabbit’s teeth grow throughout their lifetime. Normally, the correct length is maintained by them gnawing and chewing. But overgrown teeth can develop if your rabbit has inherited dental problems like malocclusion where the upper and lower teeth don’t line up properly so grow too long. If left, these cause problems with eating and drinking and can cause painful ulcers and cuts on the tongue.

Malocclusion can also develop because of a poor diet, especially one with incorrect calcium to phosphorus levels, or because of trauma or injury to the teeth or jaw. Providing your rabbit with a diet high in fibre along with plenty of rabbit-friendly items to gnaw and chew on should keep their teeth in tip top shape. If you rabbit is having issues, they may need regular vet visits to maintain their teeth by burring them back to their correct length and to remove any sharp edges.

Snuffles (Pasteurellosis)

Snuffles is a bacterial disease caused by various different bacteria, but Pasteurella multocida is the most common. It can cause nasal/sinus infections, ear/eye infections, pneumonia, or abscesses in the bones, joints, or internal organs.

Snuffles is a term used to describe a group of upper respiratory signs like nasal discharge, respiratory noise, effort and increased respiratory rate. Most affected rabbits show signs like ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, head tilt, headshaking, rolling, circling, disorientation. Severe cases can develop abscesses anywhere on or in the body.

Your vet will need to take nasal swabs that will be sent to the lab to identify the bacteria responsible for the infection. The treatment involves a course of antibiotics for around 14-30 days. Prognosis is generally good with appropriate treatment.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV, VHD, RHD)

This is one of the most common viral rabbit diseases, along with myxomatosis. Also known as rabbit calicivirus disease, there are two strains, VHD1 and VHD2. VHD is transmitted by direct contact with nasal secretions and saliva of other infected rabbits and indirectly by exposure to contaminated fomites (objects) and mechanically (equipment and clothing). RHDV is highly contagious and associated with high mortality rates, with some instances leading to sudden death within just 48 hours.

Other animals, like insects and birds, may also carry the viral hemorrhagic disease and infect rabbits. VHD can also survive in the gastrointestinal tract of carnivores, so it’s possible for a fox or dog to transmit it in their poo if they’ve eaten infected wild rabbit. Although no vaccine is 100% effective, it’s essential to ensure your rabbit is protected against VHD through vaccination.

Prevention is generally the name of the game when it comes to keeping your rabbit safe from common diseases. Correct husbandry, diet and vaccination are essential to make sure your rabbit remains happy and healthy. If you think your rabbit is unwell, contact your vet for advice as soon as possible.

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