Each month you should take time to groom and check your
rabbit’s physical health. Doing this
regularly helps prevent health problems and can sometimes save your bunny from
having to visit the vet later.
One tip that might be helpful is to designate a specific day
as bunny check day (i.e. 2nd Saturday of the month, 3rd
Sunday, etc)
Here is a checklist of all the things we check on our
bunnies each month:
o
Body
Rub their tummy to check for tightness.
Rub their entire body checking for usual bumps, scars, scabs, etc.
Comb/brush fur to reduce molting coats and prevent a matted coat.
Rub their tummy to check for tightness.
Rub their entire body checking for usual bumps, scars, scabs, etc.
Comb/brush fur to reduce molting coats and prevent a matted coat.
o
Ears
Check ears for dirt, gunk or signs of ear mites.
Check ears for dirt, gunk or signs of ear mites.
o
Eyes
Check to make sure there is no discharge or discoloration.
Check to make sure there is no discharge or discoloration.
o
Nose
Check for dirt or mucous
Check for dirt or mucous
o
Teeth
Check to be sure they are property aligned. Rub along jaw to check for usual bumps or excess saliva.
Check to be sure they are property aligned. Rub along jaw to check for usual bumps or excess saliva.
o
Feet
While you have your rabbit flipped over and have trimmed his/her nails, check their feet for signs of sores.
While you have your rabbit flipped over and have trimmed his/her nails, check their feet for signs of sores.
o
Nail
trimming
For trimming you will need clippers (we prefer the kind similar to this), styptic powder, and, for darker nails, a flashlight. You want to securely hold your rabbit while protecting their back. Our vet likes to say that this is easiest for women because you can use your boobs to help hold the bunny while trimming their nails (though, Damon is very good at holding the bunnies for nail trims). Once your rabbit is secure, begin trimming their nails. You want to clip away the colorless part of the nail to avoid hitting the vein that is in their nails. For dark colored nails, you can shine a light on the nails to help see the vein to avoid clipping it. If you accidentally clip into the vein, use a little amount of styptic powder along with light pressure to promote clotting and stop the bleeding.
For trimming you will need clippers (we prefer the kind similar to this), styptic powder, and, for darker nails, a flashlight. You want to securely hold your rabbit while protecting their back. Our vet likes to say that this is easiest for women because you can use your boobs to help hold the bunny while trimming their nails (though, Damon is very good at holding the bunnies for nail trims). Once your rabbit is secure, begin trimming their nails. You want to clip away the colorless part of the nail to avoid hitting the vein that is in their nails. For dark colored nails, you can shine a light on the nails to help see the vein to avoid clipping it. If you accidentally clip into the vein, use a little amount of styptic powder along with light pressure to promote clotting and stop the bleeding.
o
Scent
Glands
Again, while your rabbit is already flipped over you should check their scent glands. Roll your bunny backwards with his/her head against your rib cage. Raise a leg to expose their underside. Find the tiny slits found on either side of the genital mound. Using a cotton swab dipped in warm water, gently swab out the area. BEWARE! At first it will smell awful but the smell will go away quickly.
Again, while your rabbit is already flipped over you should check their scent glands. Roll your bunny backwards with his/her head against your rib cage. Raise a leg to expose their underside. Find the tiny slits found on either side of the genital mound. Using a cotton swab dipped in warm water, gently swab out the area. BEWARE! At first it will smell awful but the smell will go away quickly.
Finally and most importantly, give your bunny a treat. You have just put them through something he/she dislikes and deserves to be rewarded for their good behavior.
(Pictures to come soon of each step of the checklist)
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