Photo by Li Yan
Rabbits may look normal outside, but they can hide what is happening inside their bodies. You should always look at their eating patterns, playtime, and potty routines. Some changes when a bunny is sick are very subtle that you wouldn't think your rabbit is suffering.
People with pets don't always visit the veterinary clinic every day to have their pets thoroughly examined, whether their poop, blood, or different parts of their body. You can't check what's happening inside your bunny but you can see the body parts outside to know whether there are some weird changes. You can do a bunny regular check-up at home.
Signs of an Unhealthy and Sick Rabbit
· crusty eyes
· hard and dry fecal pellet
· darker color of urine
· smelly urine
· loss of appetite
· lethargy
· excessive teeth grinding
· drooling
· matted fur
· sore hocks
· nostrils with mucus
· wheezing
· pink eye
· ear mites
Bunny Check-up: How to do a rabbit health check?
Nose
The nose must be clean and has no yellow mucus discharge.
Eyes
Red eyes are normal in albino rabbits. If your bunny has pink eyes or redness around the rim with fluid, that might be Conjunctivitis. The eyes should not have a discharge or crusty tear ducts.
Ears
The ears should not have a smell and are wax-free. Check also for ear mites.
Paw Pads
Sore hocks are common in rabbits. Check if the fur is thin on the heel. The rabbit's paw pads should not have red or dark pink patches because those are sore hocks and should be treated immediately.
Fur/Skin
The coat should be free from fleas. Check for lumps on the skin and matted fur because that can cause skin irritation.
Fecal Pellets
Check if your bunny's droppings are hard and dry or if they are malformed and wet fecal pellets. It should be almost the size of a pee (about 7mm-12mm in diameter) and not too wet or too dry. Also, check if your bunny is not pooping at all, that would be a problem.
Urine
A pale yellow to orange to red is the normal color of a rabbit's urine, depending on the food it eats. Brown or a darker color means dehydration. If there are red spots of blood, go to the vet immediately.
Nails
See the nails if they're ready for another clipping session. Too long nails can affect your bunny's ability to run and hop around the house, which is also painful.
Teeth and Gums
Check if the teeth aren't growing abnormally. Check if your bunny has broken or loosened teeth because that might cause drooling. Healthy gums should be pink.
Disclaimer: We are not professional veterinarians or medical doctors. We created this blog based on our experiences with pet rabbits, volunteered hours in the rabbit shelter, extensive pet product research, and experienced peers. The purpose of this blog is to provide information about properly taking care of rabbits. Please know that it is still best to visit the vet regularly. For medical emergencies, contact a rabbit-savvy vet. Always observe your rabbits around new products or environmental changes.
Final Thoughts on Bunny Regular Check-up At Home
You can check these parts of your rabbit's body at home to ensure it's healthy and happy. It's also good to keep the health records of your bunny updated to know the next thing to do.
If you see unhealthiness in your pet bunny, do not hesitate to visit the veterinary clinic for further tests. This will help bring back your bunny's good holistic health!