Reference Literature

The Domestic Rabbit
(Book: Sections 5, 6 and 8)

The Rabbit
(Book: Chapter 5)

Domestic Rabbit Guide
(ARBA Manual: pg. 10-11, 21)

Texas Rabbit Manual
(Manual: pgs. 9-13)

Raising better rabbits & cavies
(ARBA Book: pg. 89, 189-211)

Antibiotics used in pet rabbits
(PDF Table)

Disease, Treatment, and Prevention
(PDF Table)

Rabbit Illnesses
(Power Point)

 

Introduction
When a rabbit becomes sick (due to a disease or other illness), the animal’s health and production are compromised. We have learned that rabbits have multiple uses within the rabbit industry, so the effect an illness has on a rabbit will be different depending upon an owner's intended use.

Pet rabbits often receive more individualized care and, with new medical advances and surgical procedures, they are often successfully treated and quickly recover.

Though rabbits are resilient animals, all of the branches of the industry agree that in order to maintain healthy rabbits a strong prevention and sanitation program is key. It is more damaging to your rabbit's health (and certainly more costly to you) to treat an illness than to prevent it.

Keep in mind that a sick rabbit can potentially infect a healthy one. You should immediately isolate sick animals from the rest of your herd, and increase the preventive methods to ensure the rest of your herd does not get sick. Consider the costs and treatment options to care for your sick animals, making the best choice for your particular project.