BASIC HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS (cont)
Animals must be observed and cared for every day including weekends and holidays. Emergency veterinary care must be available after work hours, on weekends and on holidays. Any signs of disease should be reported to the animal care supervisor or the attending veterinarian.
Some common abnormalities and diseases of rabbits include;
- Diarrhea - which may have many causes, for example, dietary changes or infectious diseases. Also the absence of feces may be caused by something as simple as a malfunctioning water valve or as complicated as a systemic disease.
- Torticollis - or "wry neck" is usually caused by an inner ear infection.
- Ear mites - symptoms include a dark crusty deposit in the outer ear which may be accompanied by head shaking
- "Snuffles" - a respiratory tract infection with Pasturella
- Overgrown incisors - which may be caused by malocclusion. The teeth must be trimmed when overgrowth is found
- Ulcerative pododermatitis - or "sore hocks"is sometimes seen in rabbits housed on rounded bar floors. The rabbit shifts its weight from one foot to another because it has foot pain.