Intestinal Parasites

Introduction

Internal parasites can be found in many different organs and tissues of an animal’s body. One area commonly targeted is the intestines. Parasite infections can occur through a number of possible routes, depending on the parasite species and the stage of the parasite’s life cycle playing a role in transmission. A primary route of infection is ingestion of infective eggs from the environment. Typically this happens when a dog or cat ingests fecal matter or soil that contains fecal …

Remove a Tick from Your Pet in a Few Simple Steps

To remove a tick from a pet in just a few simple steps, please do the following. We have included a video from the TickEncounter Resource Center for your convenience.

  1. You will first need a small pair of tweezers or forceps. 
  2. Next, grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the tick’s head as possible, but be careful not to pinch the skin. 
  3. Pull gently, and avoid twisting or crushing the tick, until it frees. Be sure the mouth parts

Nutritional Supplements for Your Rabbit

Nutritional supplements for rabbits include licks, vitamin and mineral supplements, and certain fruit supplements.

Licks

Many rabbit owners provide their animals with salt or trace mineral licks. Such items contain salt and other minerals a rabbit needs in its diet. Also, they may aid in wearing down the teeth and help provide enrichment or prevent boredom in the rabbit.

Rabbits do not need a salt lick if they receive a complete feed. In general, commercial rabbit feeds contain appropriate amounts …

Nutrients Required by Rabbits

A nutrient is a chemical or substance that an animal requires to live and grow. Nutrients can be found in food, synthesized in the body, or taken in from the environment. Nutrients that must be consumed in the diet because the animal cannot produce them or cannot produce them in sufficient quantities are considered essential nutrients. Those the animal can synthesize to meet its needs or does not need from the diet are considered nonessential nutrients.

All animals require six …

Hot-Weather Care for Rabbits

Rabbits are fairly hardy animals, but heat can cause them stress. At temperatures over 85 degrees, rabbits may show signs of overheating. With proper care and a few husbandry techniques, you can ensure that your rabbit will be cool and comfortable during the hot, long summer.

Providing Plenty of Cool Water

Water is the single most important thing you can give your rabbit during the hot summer days. Make sure that your rabbit has access to cool, clean drinking water …

Enteritis in Rabbits

Rabbits are prone to gastrointestinal tract diseases. One commonly observed gastrointestinal tract disease in rabbits is enteritis, or the inflammation of the intestines. Enteritis can cause high death rates in rabbits. A variety of causes can lead to enteritis, and if left untreated, it can result in serious health consequences for the rabbit. Enterotoxemia is one form of enteritis caused by pathogenic bacteria overgrowth. Mucoid enteritis, another form of enteritis, can cause a high level of mucus secretions, which can …

My rabbit has a runny nose. Did he catch a cold from me?

The good news is human colds are not transmittable to rabbits. However, there are a variety of reasons your rabbit may have a runny nose and many may require veterinary attention.

One common cause of a runny nose is a respiratory infection. An upper respiratory infection in rabbits is commonly referred to as “snuffles.” It can be caused by a variety of bacteria, so it is best to discuss with your veterinarian the best antibiotics to use to treat snuffles. …

Choosing a Diet for Your Companion Rabbit

When choosing a diet for a house rabbit, remember that as an herbivore (plant eater), a rabbit constantly needs food moving through its digestive tract. The specific diet you choose for your rabbit will depend on several factors, including age and weight of the rabbit, environmental conditions, and purpose of the animal.

Diet Types

Rabbits are concentrate selectors, so they naturally pick and choose foods higher in energy density. Providing a pelleted rabbit food helps ensure that your animal is …

Exercising Your Rabbit

Exercise is important for your rabbit.  It promotes good overall health and prevents obesity.  Providing your rabbit with exercise will ensure proper respiratory and cardiovascular function, as well as promote muscle development.  In addition, exercise aids in preventing boredom and unwanted behaviors.  Some experts recommend two hours a day of exercise time outside of the cage environment.  If your rabbit lives in a large cage, less exercise may be adequate.

Indoor versus outdoor exercise:

When exercising your rabbit indoors, ensure …

Rabbit Behavioral Problems: Biting

Introduction

Biting is an unwanted behavior that some rabbits display. Because rabbits naturally live in social groups, they have a need to establish a social hierarchy. In the wild, rabbits use many methods, such as biting, lunging, and snorting, to develop a dominance order. Domestic rabbits still have the tendency to exhibit this dominance behavior, but when it leads to the injury of a human companion, there are steps that can be taken to modify the behavior.

Although social behavior …