With summer on the horizon and plans for the warmer weather underway, it's worth owners taking a few simple steps to make sure their rabbits enjoy the season as much as they do.
Fly strike
Warmer weather can mean more flies which seek out mucky areas to lay their eggs. The hatching maggots love warm dirty areas and if they hatch on the rabbit or small pet's body they can literally eat them alive, causing terrible damage to their skin. This is ‘fly strike’ and sadly, the majority of small pets presented to veterinary surgeons with this condition do not survive.
Luckily, there are preventative measures that can be taken to protect rabbits from this nasty condition. Rabbits should be checked at least two or three times a day to ensure they and their living areas are clean. It is especially important to check their rear end and for matted fur, abscesses and open wounds, which may also attract flies.
Elderly rabbits or those with arthritis can also be vulnerable to fly strike and may need more attention.
Rabbits can be protected from flies by putting ‘fly screens’ around their living areas and runs. There are also liquid products that can be applied to the rear of the rabbit to prevent fly eggs from hatching, although it is still important to check on the rabbit twice a day.
If owners see a maggot on or near their rabbit, it is an emergency. They should contact their veterinary practice immediately and get them checked over. Sadly, cases of fly strike may mean intensive treatment which can take weeks or even euthanasia so rabbits should be prevented from becoming a victim.
Keeping cool
All pets need access to plenty of fresh, clean water at all times, and particularly once the weather starts to heat up. If the rabbit lives outside, their water should be checked often — it will evaporate faster in hot weather.
Rabbits can also get extra moisture from special treats like pieces of apple or celery, but the main part of the rabbit's diet should be an unlimited amount of fresh hay. Fresh fruit and vegetables should be part of a balanced diet, but fruit should be fed in moderation because it is high in sugar — so no more than two tablespoons worth per day.
It important to keep rabbits in good shape, as if they are overweight they will struggle to clean themselves in tricky to reach areas, which can also make them more vulnerable to fly strike.
Misting the rabbit with cool water can help them remain at a comfortable temperature and it's important to brush out excess fur too. Longhaired rabbits can have their coat cropped by a professional groomer.
Pale and bare coated pets are vulnerable to getting sunburn, just like humans. It is best to keep white and light-furred rabbits indoors during the hottest parts of the day and if they are outside, they should be kept out of the sun by moving their run into a cooler, shaded area. Ideally, a run will be attached to the hutch, so rabbits can go in out of the sun if they get too hot (or if it rains!).
A child-friendly sunblock can be applied to exposed areas like their nose and tips of their ears. Sadly, sunburn in pets can lead to skin cancer and possible amputation of their ears and nose, so any pigmentation on a pet's pale areas should be checked by the veterinary surgeon as soon as possible.