OurRabbitry

By Claire King, Registered Veterinary Nurse Even as little as a couple of decades ago, it wasn’t typical to see many senior rabbits. Nowadays with increasingly knowledgeable owners and advancing veterinary care, senior rabbits are a relatively common occurrence. However, as rabbits age, their needs often change and in order to support our OABs (Old Age Bunnies!), some adjustments to their care are often required. When is a rabbit classed as being senior? This is slightly complex since, as with dogs, rabbits come in many shapes and sizes, and age differently, so classing a rabbit as a ‘senior’ isn’t set in stone. The small breeds of rabbit, such as the Netherland Dwarf and Polish are often long-lived and can be expected to have a lifespan of anywhere up to 12 or 13 years of age. These small breeds may not be deemed as senior bunnies until they reach around 8 years or even older. Medium sized breeds of rabbit, ranging from dwarf lops to those of up to around 3.5-4kg in weight

Adult Size :  Bucks 8.5-10.5 lbs (3.9 - 4.8 kg),  Does 9 to 11 lbs (4.1 - 5.0 kg) DESCRIPTION : The Satin resulted from a genetic mutation found first in a litter of Havanas. Satin fur appears more brilliant in color compared to normal furred rabbits because the hair shaft has a smaller diameter and the hair is also more transparent. They are a commercial type rabbit, with one of the best meat to bone ratios. Information Source:   Publication #1250 Version 12/08  4-H Rabbit Manual

photo : https://www.vetwest.com.au/pet-library/common-rabbit-diseases Healthy Unhealthy Eyes Clear and bright Dull, cloudy, runny Nose Clean (no discharge) Nasal discharge or mucous Ears Clean with smooth skin inside Crusty or scabby Head Held straight and upright Tilted to one side Coat Smooth, shiny Dry, dull, patchy hair Skin Soft and supple Dry, tight, hard Feet Well furred, straight toes, unbroken claws Patchy fur on feet, sores or redness on pads, crooked or broken toes and claws. Temperature 99.1 - 102.9°F (37.3°C - 39.4°C) (rectal) Above or below the healthy range Respiration 35 - 60 breaths per minute Noticeably slow or fast respiration (except during exercise) Droppings Hard and round (except for cecotrophes) Soft and runny Appetite Normal Does not eat Thirst Normal Does not drink at all or is drinking all the

  Clean the feeding and watering equipment daily Clean the hutches and cages at least once a week. Cages should be brushed with a wire brush and disinfectant to remove urine and droppings. Use a vacuum or a stiff bristle brush to remove loose fur on cages and other equipment before it becomes a problem A mixture of vinegar and water may be used to remove calcium carbonate deposits (from urine) which build up on cage wire as a white coating If you use bedding (such as straw), soiled bedding should be removed daily and replaced with fresh bedding Sweep out and dispose of all accumulated droppings and urine on the barn floor several times per week. If your hutch or cage is outdoors you may only need to do this every few months Sanitize the equipment with chlorine bleach whenever your rabbit has had health problems or if you obtain second-hand equipment Concrete floors should be scrubbed with a disinfectant as often as possible Clean and check the

Adult Size:    Bucks and Does , 4 - 6 lbs (1.8 – 2.7 kg) DESCRIPTION :  The Florida White is believed to have resulted from crosses between Dutch, Polish, and New Zealand White rabbits. Although it is smaller than many of the other commercial breeds, the Florida White is ideal for the small fryer market. Florida Whites are to be pure white with pink eyes. Information Source:   Publication #1250 Version 12/08  4-H Rabbit Manual