CAUTION FOR OUTDOOR EXERCISE FOR RABBITS  Outdoor hazards  Hawks and crows from overhead -     There are more and more hawks returning to our area.  It only takes a second for one to swoop down and capture a rabbit running loose in a yard or deck. Neighborhood loose dogs/cats -   a stray or wandering dog or [...]

Old Rabbit Paralysis Part 1: Spondylosis of the Lumbar Spine and Trauma Q. We have been told that our bunny has “old bunny paralysis” and nothing can be done. Is this true? What is this and why does it happen? There are many diseases that can affect the neurological state of a rabbit. It is [...]

PARASITES The two most common parasites causing neurological disease in the rabbit are Encephalitozoon cuniculi (also known as Nosema cuniculi) and Baylisascaris procyonis. In this part of the series we will discuss Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Encephalitozoon cuniculi Cause: There is a protosoal (one-celled) organism in the microsporidia family that can infect a number of species of [...]

Baylisascaris Procyonis Q. We have been told that our bunny has “old bunny paralysis” and nothing can be done. Is this true? What is this and why does it happen? To review briefly, there are many causes of weakness in the pet rabbit. We have discussed vertebral spondylosis and trauma in Part I and a [...]

Old Rabbit Paralysis Part IV: Strokes, Infections, Neoplasia (Cancer), and Systemic Disease Q. We have been told that our bunny has “old bunny paralysis” and nothing can be done. Is this true? What is this and why does it happen? This is part four, the final in a series on the cause of paralysis or [...]

by Susan A. Brown, DVM Rabbits are strict herbivores. Their relatively small body size makes it difficult to store large volumes of coarse fiber as might be done in the cow or horse. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) attempts to eliminate fiber as quickly as possible. Large fiber particles stimulate motility of the GIT. The rabbit [...]

by Susan A. Brown, DVM E. cuniculi is a one celled organism that is a parasite that can affect a number of different species of animals. It is a common finding in rabbits and the majority of the time itdoesn’t cause any obvious clinical disease at all. It is spread through urine as the “adult” [...]

The following information is provided as a reference source in cases where either wild or domestic baby bunnies are involved. The Third Edition of HOUSE RABBIT HANDBOOK was used in compiling some of this data. Wild Rabbits In most cases where individuals have found rabbit nests in their backyards, the nest HAS NOT BEEN abandoned [...]

By Julie Smith It’s so stupid, it will mount your arm if you reach into its cage. He’s so stupid he always knocks the food bowl out of your hand when you try to feed him. He’s so stupid, he doesn’t know he’s chasing one of his friends instead of his competitor. The Smart Species [...]

  by Susan A. Brown, DVM My rabbit hasn’t pooped in about three days. My friend says he has a hairball in his stomach and I should give him pineapple juice, papaya enzyme tablets, Prozyme and a cat hairball laxative to dissolve the hairball. This doesn’t seem to be working. Why did he get a [...]