The information that is given regarding these questions are for an education basis only. You should consult your veterinarian before any action is taken. We appreciate your continued support for this program.

Q: What is wry neck in rabbits?

A: Wry neck is caused by a bacterium that gains access to the middle inner ear of rabbits. The bacterium causes fluid or pus to accumulate in the ear and causes the rabbit to twist or “wry” its neck. The only way to diagnose if a rabbit has this is to visit your veterinarian so that some diagnostic tests can be run on the animal.

Q: Why are my does aborting their litters after 2 weeks or just simply not getting pregnant?

A: There are several reasons why this may be occurring. First it might depend on the temperature that the rabbits are in. When rabbits, and all animals, are exposed to hot weather there is a reduction in semen quantity and quality in the male which causes higher levels of non-implantation or outright abortion of early pregnancies in the female. To help minimize this problem you might want to use water coolers, air conditioners or frozen water bottles (2-liter coke bottles filled with water and frozen then placed in the cages with the rabbits) to help keep them cool. If this does not help you may need to consult your veterinarian to determine if there is a possible disease or parasite problem in your rabbitry.

Q: What are some instances occasionally of sudden death of a doe post kindling? Could it be a Staph infection?

A: In order to know what killed the doe, you need to have your veterinarian perform a necropsy on the her to determine the cause of death. It is often considered that sudden death of lactating does results from a virulent staph infection.

You can also prevent diseases by implementing some biosecurity practices at your rabbitry such as isolating/quarantining new animals and animals returning to your premise for a couple of weeks. This means don't let them have any contact with your resident rabbits and if you mess with them wash your hands thoroughly before handling your resident rabbits. Avoid sharing of water and food troughs between animals. Remove manure regularly from the barn. Disinfect cages before putting new animals in them. Make sure your hands after handling a sick rabbit. These are just a few of the practices that you can implement to reduce transmission of disease.

Q: Why should I do a necropsy on my rabbit?

A: The reason why a necropsy is so important are because..

1. If it is something extremely contagious, you know what happened and how to prevent it and treat it.
2. If owner did something wrong, then they can fix it and save the animals
3. If it is genetic, then you know not to breed those parents again.
4. It could be also an inherited disease
5. Could be the lack or extreme amount in the diet that could be the culprit.

To run these test, the lab fees add up. Sometimes it is extremely important to test your sudden death rabbits because it could be RHD (rabbit hemorrhagic disease), which is a Foreign Animal Disease and is characterized by sudden death. It is also a reportable disease. If there is an outbreak of RHD and the owner takes no step to preventing it or reporting it, they can be held liable.

A good VCPR, the vet may be able to chose when necropsies are necessary and how many. Additionally, the vet may train the owner to do necropsies and then report their abnormal findings.

The small amount of money it cost for a necropsy may, in the long run, save the owner a large amount later on. It may save more rabbits and baby rabbits.

Q: My rabbit is not eating, what could be a common problem?

A: Anorexia is common complaint and can be see with any systemic disease, stress or painful episodes. It is especially important if the rabbit hadn’t eaten in 2-3 days. Complete physical exam by a veterinarian could provide the owner with the underlying cause of the anorexia. Some possible problems could be:

• Systemic- Respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital disease can all cause anorexia, especially if pain is involved.
• Lead Poisoning- Not a common cause of anorexia, but usually seen often in unsupervised house rabbits that chew or swallow lead containing objects. Clinical signs may be vague. See a veterinarian if the rabbit does not resume eating immediately. Radiographs may show metallic objects and blood test may need to be performed to find under laying cause.

Q: My rabbit has diarrhea what could it be?

A: There are several things that may be causing diarrhea. Seek advice from you local veterinarian to make a definitive diagnosis.

• Inappropriate diets: A history of a low fiber diet, high carbohydrate diet or even sudden dietary change can produce diarrhea. Affected rabbits are often depressed, dehydrated and inappetent. Nutritional support and antibiotics may also be indicated by the veterinarian after a physical exam.
• Inappropriate antibiotic therapy: Two or 3 days of antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ampicillian, and clindamycin are all that is necessary to produce diarrhea. These antibiotics will cause dysbiosis in the GI tract and cause watery to bloody diarrhea. The antibiotics decrease the natural flora in the GI tract that is beneficial to the rabbit’s nutrient absorption. Help re-establish normal GI flora and talk to your veterinarian about different antibiotic treatment and proper diagnosis. .
• Mucoid enteritis: More common in young rabbits and not very understood. The motility in the cecal is reduced or abnormal and causing alterations in the pH in the cecum. This results in changes in production and re-absorption of volatile fatty acids or from fermentation of carbohydrates. This alters the microbial population in the cecum of the rabbit and stimulates and increases in mucous production. Veterinarian would be able to make a diagnosis.
• Bacterial enteritis: Uncommon in rabbits, although sepsis develops quickly. Seek a veterinarian for help in diagnosis, aggressive and supportive care will have to be administered.

Q: My rabbit has dyspnea, what could it be?

A: Dysnpea may be caused by several different things. In order to know the true caus, please visit with your veterinarian.

• Dypsnea is a true emergency. Compared to other animals, rabbits have small lunch capacity that can be very easily compromised. Oxygen should be administered before any diagnostic test or physical examination is performed.

• Respiratory Disease: Bacterial infection can be mild to chronic. Often chronic intermittent nasal ocular discharges along with dyspnea are the primary complaints. Pasteurellosis, caused by the bacteria Pasteurella multocida, is essentially an incurable disease that may be temporarily held in check with antibiotics.

• Neoplasia: These are uncommon as cause of respiratory disease in rabbits, but thymoma and metastasis of uterine adenocarcinoma are those more reported. Both of these neoplasms can cause dyspnea. A radiograph may help the diagnosis. Prognosis is grave.

• Cardiac Disease: Pulmonary edema and dyspnea are seen with most cardiomyopathies. A history of exercise intolerance is reported. Auscultation may reveal a murmur. Radiographs and ECG’s are indicated with these rabbits suspected of having a cardiomypothy but with milder clinical signs. Talk to your veterinarian about cardiac medications.

Q: My rabbit has red urine, could it be blood?

A: On seeing red urine in the bottom of the cage, most owners think there is an emergency. Often the red color is a normal pigment from porphyrin production. True hematuria, however, is an emergency and a urine dipstick is a quick way to determine if the red urine contains blood.

• Reproductive disorders: Uterine adenocarcinoma, uterine torsion and more rarely, abortion, may all cause red urine. Seek veterinary assistance in determining the cause. Ultrasound will be most helpful in determining the organ involved. Female rabbits not intended for breeding may be spayed to prevent the cancer adenocarcinoma.

• Urinary Tract Disease: Red urine ca also be seen in rabbits with systitis, urolithiasis and pyelonephritis. Hemauteria is present with these diseases and treatment is the same as in dogs and cats.

Q: My rabbit collapsed, what should I do?

A: The differential diagnoses for collapses and seizures can included trauma, heat stress, encephalitozoonosis, pasteurellosis, pregnancy toxemia, snake bite, lead poisoning and rabies. Seizures are uncommon. If presented, call veterinarian immediately.

• Heat Stress: Rabbits are very susceptible to heat stress. Outdoor temperatures above 85 degrees F make them especially vulnerable if housed outdoors. Body temperature can be above 106 degrees F. If rabbit is outside do not cool them down quickly but in a slow process, IV fluids may need to be administered by a veterinarian. Lukewarm baths will help with the cooling process.

• Pregnancy toxemia: Overweight pregnant or postparturient rabbits are those most often seen with pregnancy toxemia. Many are weak, ataxic, depressed, recumbent and/or close to death. Take animal to the veterinarian to seek medical treatment and proper diagnoses.

Q: My rabbit is loosing its hair, I think it’s fleas so I’m going to give another does of Ivomec...is that ok?

A: There are several things that might be causing this. Fleas could possibly be the reason, but you might want to have your veterinarian take a skin scrapping and look for either mites or ringworm. Your veterinarian will need to collect the skin scrapings. They will have everything there to determine if it is mites, ringworms, etc. These are both zoonotic diseases, meaning that are shared between animals and people. Skin scrapings need to be conducted to verify a diagnosis and to determine if you need to be treated as well. I would wait on giving more Ivomec until after a diagnosis has been made. If you still need help, you can have your vet refer you to the small animal clinic here at A&M.

Q: Can I use ivermectin on my rabbits? Other breeders seem to use it and its fine...right?

A: Ivermectin is not an approved drug for rabbits. When we look at which drugs we can and can not use, we must look at the labels. If the species of animal we are wanting to use the drug on is not listed we can not use that drug. If you use it on your rabbits, without the extralabel use by a licensed veterinarian then it is a violation of the FDA laws.

There is an exception to this rule. A veterinarian can "extra label" a drug, such as Ivermectin, to you and give you proper dosage amounts and withdrawal times. So to answer your question, you need to consult your veterinarian before using Ivermectin on your breeding rabbits to see if he/she will extra-label it for you.

The other breeders may use it but they are teaching other people bad habits and its not approved, once again. We need to teach the youth about how to properly use drugs in animals so that we can ensure a safe and wholesome food supply. My office gives talks on how to properly read the labels and give medicine by what the label says, not on what they hear. We are teaching them bad habits that can cost them in the future. One trip to the vet with an animal (take your kids with you) teaches them how to properly care for the animal and use medicine correctly. Some vets may feel comfortable after the first visit to say that you can continue to do this and not bring the animal in each time, but you made the effort to go to them first and learn how to do it properly plus teaching your kids how things are done.

Q: If the label says “for chickens” can we use it on our rabbits?

A: NO. Drugs that say for use in chickens still have to be extra-label for rabbits. More and more county shows are implementing drug testing policies for show animals. If the label does not say "For Use In Rabbits" consult your veterinarian

Q: Why are products like Ivomec (which we know works) not approved for use on rabbits?

A: Ivermectin can be lethal in high doses. For rabbit breeders it is especially important not to use on breeding rabbits because this drug has teratogenic effects. This means that the drug is related to interfering with fetal development and can use fetal death and fetal malformation.

Ivermectin (Ivomec (R)) is not approved for use in rabbits because the tests concerning efficacy and safety, to get the drug approved by regulatory agencies was not performed in rabbits. You can use ivermectin under the direction of a VCPR

Q: If it is ok for cattle and a similar product for sheep how do we go about getting approval?

A: Look up the Minor Use Minor Species Act and the reasoning behind that...they can use the drug just under a vet's supervision.

Q: My rabbit is loosing its hair, I think it’s fleas so I’m going to give another does of Ivomec...is that ok?

A: There are several things that might be causing this. Fleas could possibly be the reason, but you might want to have your veterinarian take a skin scrapping and look for either mites or ringworm. Your veterinarian will need to collect the skin scrapings. They will have everything there to determine if it is mites, ringworms, etc. These are both zoonotic diseases, meaning that are shared between animals and people. Skin scrapings need to be conducted to verify a diagnosis and to determine if you need to be treated as well. I would wait on giving more Ivomec until after a diagnosis has been made. If you still need help, you can have your vet refer you to the small animal clinic here at A&M.

Q: What type of cages can I build to house my rabbits in?

A: There are several different ways to house rabbits. It is always a good idea to assess what your facilities are like that you are going to house them in and then get several ideas. One thing that you can do is contact your local county agent and ask if anyone in the area has a rabbitry that you can go and look at. This will give you some ideas about how to design your cages.

Q: Why are my does aborting their litters after 2 weeks or just simply not getting pregnant?

A: There are several reasons why this may be occurring. First it might depend on the temperature that the rabbits are in. When rabbits, and all animals, are exposed to hot weather there is a reduction in semen quantity and quality in the male which causes higher levels of non-implantation or outright abortion of early pregnancies in the female. To help minimize this problem you might want to use water coolers, air conditioners or frozen water bottles (2-liter coke bottles filled with water and frozen then placed in the cages with the rabbits) to help keep them cool. If this does not help you may need to consult your veterinarian to determine if there is a possible disease or parasite problem in your rabbitry.

Q: What are some ways to treat and prevent eye infections?

A: As with most types of bacteria infections, proper sanitation is important to reduce the risk of exposure. Keep the nest boxes clean (bleach works well or leave them out in the sun for a couple of days). As for what to treat the rabbits with, you need to visit with your veterinarian to have an antibiotic extra-labeled for use in rabbits.

Q: I have been having trouble getting my rabbits to mate? Is there anything I can do?

A: There is a good website you can visit to get a refresher on rabbit breeding. http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1690E/t1690e05.htm#rates%20of%20reproduction

Q: What is a good way to keep flies out of my rabbitry?

A: Dusting agricultural lime under cages will help kill fly larvae. The use of QuickBayt,... http://www.quickbayt.com/ , It can be made into a paste and then can be applied to a pvc pipe that is standing. The flies are attracted to it and dead within seconds. Or the use of the good ole bug zapper might help too. Rabbits will get used to the noise.

Q: My rabbit is loosing its hair, I think it’s fleas so I’m going to give another does of Ivomec...is that ok?

A: There are several things that might be causing this. Fleas could possibly be the reason, but you might want to have your veterinarian take a skin scrapping and look for either mites or ringworm. Your veterinarian will need to collect the skin scrapings. They will have everything there to determine if it is mites, ringworms, etc. These are both zoonotic diseases, meaning that are shared between animals and people. Skin scrapings need to be conducted to verify a diagnosis and to determine if you need to be treated as well. I would wait on giving more Ivomec until after a diagnosis has been made. If you still need help, you can have your vet refer you to the small animal clinic here at A&M.

Q: My rabbit is not eating, what could be a common problem?

A: Anorexia is common complaint and can be see with any systemic disease, stress or painful episodes. It is especially important if the rabbit hadn’t eaten in 2-3 days. Complete physical exam by a veterinarian could provide the owner with the underlying cause of the anorexia. Some possible problems could be:

• Systemic- Respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital disease can all cause anorexia, especially if pain is involved.

• Lead Poisoning- Not a common cause of anorexia, but usually seen often in unsupervised house rabbits that chew or swallow lead containing objects. Clinical signs may be vague. See a veterinarian if the rabbit does not resume eating immediately. Radiographs may show metallic objects and blood test may need to be performed to find under laying cause.

Q: What are some ways to treat and prevent eye infections?

A: As with most types of bacteria infections, proper sanitation is important to reduce the risk of exposure. Keep the nest boxes clean (bleach works well or leave them out in the sun for a couple of days). As for what to treat the rabbits with, you need to visit with your veterinarian to have an antibiotic extra-labeled for use in rabbits.

Q: Can I use ivermectin on my rabbits? Other breeders seem to use it and its fine...right?

A: Ivermectin is not an approved drug for rabbits. When we look at which drugs we can and can not use, we must look at the labels. If the species of animal we are wanting to use the drug on is not listed we can not use that drug. If you use it on your rabbits, without the extralabel use by a licensed veterinarian then it is a violation of the FDA laws.

There is an exception to this rule. A veterinarian can "extra label" a drug, such as Ivermectin, to you and give you proper dosage amounts and withdrawal times. So to answer your question, you need to consult your veterinarian before using Ivermectin on your breeding rabbits to see if he/she will extra-label it for you.

The other breeders may use it but they are teaching other people bad habits and its not approved, once again. We need to teach the youth about how to properly use drugs in animals so that we can ensure a safe and wholesome food supply. My office gives talks on how to properly read the labels and give medicine by what the label says, not on what they hear. We are teaching them bad habits that can cost them in the future. One trip to the vet with an animal (take your kids with you) teaches them how to properly care for the animal and use medicine correctly. Some vets may feel comfortable after the first visit to say that you can continue to do this and not bring the animal in each time, but you made the effort to go to them first and learn how to do it properly plus teaching your kids how things are done.

Q: If the label says “for chickens” can we use it on our rabbits?

A: NO. Drugs that say for use in chickens still have to be extra-label for rabbits. More and more county shows are implementing drug testing policies for show animals. If the label does not say "For Use In Rabbits" consult your veterinarian

Q: Why are products like Ivomec (which we know works) not approved for use on rabbits?

A: Ivermectin can be lethal in high doses. For rabbit breeders it is especially important not to use on breeding rabbits because this drug has teratogenic effects. This means that the drug is related to interfering with fetal development and can use fetal death and fetal malformation.

Ivermectin (Ivomec (R)) is not approved for use in rabbits because the tests concerning efficacy and safety, to get the drug approved by regulatory agencies was not performed in rabbits. You can use ivermectin under the direction of a VCPR.

Q: If it is ok for cattle and a similar product for sheep how do we go about getting approval?

A: Look up the Minor Use Minor Species Act and the reasoning behind that...they can use the drug just under a vet's supervision.

Q: Is the cost of researching this use of Ivermectin with rabbits such that the manufacturers won’t attempt to gain approval?

A: The manufacturers haven't researched it, clinical reports point to lethal and teratogenic effects. Again MUMS, they aren't going to gain extra profits by getting rabbits on the label. Take the steps of preventing parasitic infection by taking steps ensuring good biosecurity principle in the rabbitry.

Q: Could you use bovine staph vaccine on rabbits to prevent staph infections?

A: To my knowledge there has been no research done on using a bovine vaccine in rabbits. If there were, you would have to go through your veterinarian to have the product extra-labeled so you could use it in rabbits.

There are other options that you can use rather than vaccines to reduce disease transmission in your rabbitry. You can help prevent infections by implementing some biosecurity practices such as isolating new animals or animals returning to the premise, for a couple of weeks, don't rotate waters or feed troughs, remove manure regularly and keep the cages clean. Sanitation is key in reducing disease transmission. If you have a doe suddenly die, have your veterinarian perform a necropsy (same as an autopsy on people) on the animal to determine a cause of death. Once that is determined, your vet can work with you on how to prevent more animals from becoming infected and what chemicals you can use to disinfect the cages. You do not want to house another animal in that cage until it has been cleaned properly.

Q: Can I use ivermectin on my rabbits? Other breeders seem to use it and its fine...right?

A: Ivermectin is not an approved drug for rabbits. When we look at which drugs we can and can not use, we must look at the labels. If the species of animal we are wanting to use the drug on is not listed we can not use that drug. If you use it on your rabbits, without the extralabel use by a licensed veterinarian then it is a violation of the FDA laws.

There is an exception to this rule. A veterinarian can "extra label" a drug, such as Ivermectin, to you and give you proper dosage amounts and withdrawal times. So to answer your question, you need to consult your veterinarian before using Ivermectin on your breeding rabbits to see if he/she will extra-label it for you.

The other breeders may use it but they are teaching other people bad habits and its not approved, once again. We need to teach the youth about how to properly use drugs in animals so that we can ensure a safe and wholesome food supply. My office gives talks on how to properly read the labels and give medicine by what the label says, not on what they hear. We are teaching them bad habits that can cost them in the future. One trip to the vet with an animal (take your kids with you) teaches them how to properly care for the animal and use medicine correctly. Some vets may feel comfortable after the first visit to say that you can continue to do this and not bring the animal in each time, but you made the effort to go to them first and learn how to do it properly plus teaching your kids how things are done.