All our rabbits are vaccinated against Myxomatosis and all adult males are castrated.
We recommend that owners continue their rabbits vaccination protection against Myxomatosis and speak to their vets about the VHD injection.
We check our rabbits regularly and treat them with REAR GUARD to prevent fly strike.
For prevention of fly strike in rabbits. Apply to the skin every 8-10 weeks during fly strike season.
This is a prescription-only medicine and can only be purchased at your vets or by getting a prescription and buying online.
BUNNY HEALTH AND INFORMATION
Make sure your rabbit is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Facts
Plants that are poisonous to rabbits
Generally speaking, rabbits do not tend to eat poisonous plants if they are fed a well balanced diet. Do not feed rabbits with frost-damaged vegetables, dirty or mouldy vegetation. Do not feed grass that may have been treated with weed killer, pesticides or grass clippings or anything that has been soiled by cats or dogs.
Other plants known to be poisonous to domestic animals:
Bulbs/bluebells/crocus, etc. | Anemones |
Bindweed/convolvulus | Lords & ladies/arum |
Bracken | Bryony |
Buttercups | Celandine |
Charlock | Deadly nightshade/belladonna |
Dock leaves | Figwort |
Fool's parsley | Foxglove |
Ground elder | Hellebore |
Hemlock | Henbane |
Horsetails | Iris |
Laburnum | Lily of the valley |
Lupin | Monkshood |
Mouldy hay/straw | Oak leaves |
Old man's beard/toadflax | Poppies |
Potato stalks | Privet |
Ragwort | Scarlet pimpernel |
Travellers joy | Wild celery |
Yew |
Identifying and preventing flystrike
Flystrike (myiasis) is a major welfare problem that mainly occurs during warm weather. Its a painful condition that can affect rabbits, guinea pigs, cats and dogs as well as farm animals such as sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas.
Even clean, well-kept animals can get flystrike. It only takes one fly and one area of soiled fur/fleece or damaged skin!
Flystrike occurs when certain species of fly lay their eggs on another animal. These eggs hatch into maggots that then begin to eat the animals flesh. Flies are attracted by soiled or wet fur/fleece, often around the animals rear end. However, any area of the body can be affected, as can any wound, cut or scratch. Flystrike causes serious pain and suffering and it can be fatal.
When does flystrike occur?
Flystrike can occur at any time of the year, but in the UK animals are particularly at risk between April and October when the weather is warmer.
Which animals are most at risk?
Animals that have a dirty rear end or generally dirty fur/fleece. Causes can include:
Prevention is better than cure!
Animals at risk of flystrike should be inspected twice a day during the months above. Their body should be checked all over, especially around the rear end where the fur/wool can become contaminated with droppings and urine.
Flystrike can occur in a matter of hours. Because the toxins released into the bloodstream by the maggots can cause the animal to go into toxic shock, death can result very quickly if flystrike is not spotted and treated rapidly.
Owners/stock-keepers should discuss with their vet the most appropriate ways of reducing the risk of flystrike before the high-risk period starts.
Pet owners should discuss with their vet the most appropriate ways of reducing the risk of flystrike before the high-risk period starts. It can occur at any time of the year, but in the UK animals are particularly at risk between April and October when the weather is warmer.
To help prevent flystrike you should:
What should I do if I suspect flystrike?
If an animal becomes infested, it should be examined by a vet immediately or, if this is not possible, seek immediate veterinary advice.
Is flystrike treatable?
If caught early, flystrike can be successfully treated, but success depends upon how much damage the maggots have done and if your vet considers your animal to have a reasonable chance of recovery. After treatment, wounds can take several weeks to heal. During this time, your animal will be at increased risk of further bouts of flystrike and infection, so it will require careful nursing and additional preventative measures should be taken
Make sure your rabbit has a healthy diet