Rabbits, given a proper diet and healthy living conditions, can live 10–12 years or longer. Common illnesses include digestive disorders, respiratory infections, and skin disease. Some infections can spread from rabbits to people.
Other signs of pain or illness include grinding teeth and sitting in a hunched posture. Rabbits often hide illness, so quick veterinary care matters.
Giving Medication to Rabbits
Only a small number of drugs are specifically approved for use in rabbits. Vets sometimes use medicines approved for use in other animals, but caution is essential. Certain antibiotics given by mouth that are safe for other pets can disrupt rabbits' normal intestinal bacteria and cause severe diarrhea or death.
Drugs that shouldn't be given to rabbits by mouth include clindamycin, lincomycin, erythromycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and cephalosporins. Penicillins given by injection according to a vet's instructions are generally safe for rabbits.
The flea product fipronil should not be used in rabbits because it can cause severe nervous system problems and death.
Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits should not be kept from eating for long periods before surgery because fasting can disrupt the normal movement of food through the digestive system. Rabbits also cannot vomit. After surgery, they need to begin eating as soon as possible to restore normal digestive tract function. Following surgery, hay and water are usually offered soon after a rabbit is awake, and appetite might improve with alfalfa hay or small fruit treats. Pain medicine is often used for 1–2 days after surgery to help ensure rabbits continue to eat normally.
Because rabbits chew skin stitches, vets usually use stitches that can be absorbed under the skin or other methods to close surgical incisions.
