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Diet | Cages / Enrichment | Surgery (Spay/Neuter) | Giving Medications | Subcutaneous Fluids | Nail Trims
**RHDV2 VACCINE UPDATES**
Update: 6/20/2022 - Due to the rapid spread and high fatality rate of RHDV2, it is most important to prevent, rather than treat, this disease. In an effort to help prevent outbreaks and for the safety and protection of all patients, Cornerstone Animal Hospital will require all rabbits to be vaccinated for RHDV2 to receive any services as of July 1st, 2022.
Update: 10/22/2021 - The Medgene Vaccine has received emergency authorization use from the US Department of Agriculture's Center for Veterinary Biologics! We are in the process of acquiring this vaccine, and will begin scheduling appointments once we have definitive information on how quickly additional booster doses can be made available, so that all vaccinated pets have access to the booster in a timely manner.
Update: 7/6/2021 - State officials have guarded optimism that a US vaccine may become available before the South Carolina requires import of the European vaccine! We'll continue to provide updates from South Carolina's Health/Epidemiology veterinarians as they keep a close eye out for that first case.
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Update: 10/22/2021 - The Medgene Vaccine has received emergency authorization use from the US Department of Agriculture's Center for Veterinary Biologics! We are in the process of acquiring this vaccine, and will begin scheduling appointments once we have definitive information on how quickly additional booster doses can be made available, so that all vaccinated pets have access to the booster in a timely manner.
Update: 7/6/2021 - State officials have guarded optimism that a US vaccine may become available before the South Carolina requires import of the European vaccine! We'll continue to provide updates from South Carolina's Health/Epidemiology veterinarians as they keep a close eye out for that first case.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is RHDV2? - a highly contagious viral disease with the potential to effect both domestic and wild rabbits. Although not transmissible to humans or other species, RHDV can be spread indirectly through carriers and can live in the environment for an extended period of time.
Why should I vaccinate? - RHDV has a high mortality rate (+90%), and seasonal outbreaks are anticipated in the United States as they've been observed in Europe and Australia.
How effective is the vaccine in preventing RHDV2? The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing death in a CVB-approved efficacy challenge study conducted at university facilities. During development 100% of rabbits fully vaccinated survived when challenged directly with RHDV2 live virus.
Will my rabbit possibly infect other rabbits after being vaccinated? No. This vaccine only uses parts (proteins) of RHDV2 to build immunity. It is impossible for a rabbit that receives this vaccine to shed any virus as it doesn’t contain the full RHDV2 virus.
What does the vaccine cost? The cost for one vaccine is $33, which will need to be boostered in 3 weeks, then annually. As a valid veterinary client-patient relationship is required, all rabbits must have received a wellness exam within the past 12 months. For new patients, wellness exams ($75) are available by appointment Tuesday through Friday, with both day admission and in-clinic options available (note: to best serve as many pets as possible, a deposit may be required to secure your spot at the time of scheduling.) We do not have the capability to offer large-scale vaccine clinics at this time.
Why should I vaccinate? - RHDV has a high mortality rate (+90%), and seasonal outbreaks are anticipated in the United States as they've been observed in Europe and Australia.
How effective is the vaccine in preventing RHDV2? The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing death in a CVB-approved efficacy challenge study conducted at university facilities. During development 100% of rabbits fully vaccinated survived when challenged directly with RHDV2 live virus.
Will my rabbit possibly infect other rabbits after being vaccinated? No. This vaccine only uses parts (proteins) of RHDV2 to build immunity. It is impossible for a rabbit that receives this vaccine to shed any virus as it doesn’t contain the full RHDV2 virus.
What does the vaccine cost? The cost for one vaccine is $33, which will need to be boostered in 3 weeks, then annually. As a valid veterinary client-patient relationship is required, all rabbits must have received a wellness exam within the past 12 months. For new patients, wellness exams ($75) are available by appointment Tuesday through Friday, with both day admission and in-clinic options available (note: to best serve as many pets as possible, a deposit may be required to secure your spot at the time of scheduling.) We do not have the capability to offer large-scale vaccine clinics at this time.
RABBIT CARE AND HUSBANDRY
Rabbits make intelligent, friendly and quiet house pets. The following information on how to best meet their home and dietary needs is provided to help your rabbit enjoy a happy, healthy life.
Diet
Grass Hay (made from timothy, meadow, oat, rye, barley or bermuda) is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet and should be available at all times, as it is required for healthy motility and to promote proper wear of the teeth. Provide free access in a hay rack, box, basket, or litter box. Rabbits often pass stools while eating, so this can help with litter box training. You can also stuff hay into toilet paper rolls and other hiding areas as fun enrichment. Legume hays (made from alfalfa, clover, peas, beans or peanuts) can be given as a treat, but should not be used routinely as they are loaded with more calories, calcium, and protein than a rabbit needs.
Green Foods are the next most important part of the rabbit's diet, because they contain a variety of micronutrients and a higher water content which helps promote healthy GI function. However, greens should never be the total diet. Approximately 1 packed cup of mixed green foods per 2 pounds of body weight daily day is ideal. If your rabbit has never eaten green foods before, start on hay for at least one month prior to aid in GI transition. Introduce greens a little at a time, and watch the stools for any change.
In general, the darker green a food is, the higher the nutritional value (this is why iceberg lettuce is discouraged.) Some good options include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot tops, baby greens, green or red bell peppers, basil, squash, as well as edible flowers (if grown organically and not from a florist) like roses, day lilies, pansies, and snap dragons. Fresh fruits like kiwi, mango, peach, pear, melons, pineapple, or raspberry can also be given. Limit the amount of dried fruit, bananas and grapes, as they can avoid healthier options in lieu of these addictive snacks, and don’t promote normal tooth wear.
The most important part of a rabbit's diet is good quality grass hay, available all the time.
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Oxbow or Mazuri brands are recommended choices for hay and commercial pellets, and can be purchased in most pet stores, or online through sites like chewy.com.
Commercial Rabbit Pellets should generally only comprise 10% of a pet rabbit’s diet - no more than 1/4 cup per 4 pounds of body weight daily. Do not buy pellet mixes that are alfalfa based, or contain seeds, dried fruits or nuts - we recommend a high quality pellet that contains >18% fiber and <1% calcium, like Oxbow, Kaytee or Mazuri. Water should always be available and changed daily, in a bowl that is weighted or secured so that it does not tip over. |
Commercial treats sold for rabbits often contain high levels of starch and fat. Examples of other high fat and/or starch foods to AVOID include beans, breads, cereals, chocolate, corn, nuts, oats, peas, sugar, seeds, or wheat. A diet of grass hay and green foods with small amounts of fruits and vegetables, along with their cecotropes, contains all the nutrition necessary. Do not use supplemental vitamins, salt, or mineral blocks in a healthy pet - rabbits will obtain all the vitamins they need from their cecotropes, grass hay and green foods and small amount of pellets.
Cecotropes are elongated, greenish in color, coated in mucous and have a strong odor. These droppings are rich in organisms and nutrients like amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins. By eating cecotropes, rabbits can extract the maximum nutrients from low-energy food materials. If a rabbit is eating a rich (pellet-heavy) diet, there may be a few cecotropes dropped in the cage. If you see a large number, you should consult your veterinarian.
Cages and Enrichment
Cages can be used as a home base for part of the day, but should never be kept completely confined, as rabbits are designed to run and jump and move about a large area. Cages should allow the rabbit to stand up on his hind legs without hitting the top of the cage, and have space for a litter box. The floor can be solid or wire, and kept in a well ventilated, cool area. The optimum temperature range for a rabbit is 60F to 70F - the potential for a fatal heat stroke exists for >80F and beyond. Never leave a rabbit outside in a pen unsupervised because dogs, cats, or wildlife may be able to knock over the fencing or harm your pet. If you allow your pet free access to your house you need to bunny-proof by blocking all escape routes, access to electrical and computer cords, cover furniture to protect it from the rabbit's teeth and claws, and remove access to toxic plants, rodenticides, insecticides and other toxic materials.
Litter Box training for rabbits is relatively easy. When beginning training, confine your pet in a small area, either in a cage or a blocked off section of the room, and place a litter box in the corner; try to pick the corner your pet has already used for her toilet. Make sure the sides of the box are low enough so your pet can get in and out easily. Never punish your pet while in the litter box. Pelleted litter makes the best bedding and is preferred over wood shavings - do not use clay or clumping kitty litter.
Rest/Hide Areas are important, as the ancestors of pet rabbits would have spent a good portion of their day in protected underground burrows. Our pet rabbits retain the same need to have a protected area in which they feel safe and secure. Some rabbits are content to sit in a box full of hay, others like a completely enclosed box in which to hide. Try providing places to hide, such as untreated wicker or straw baskets, litter pans or other shallow boxes filled with hay, cardboard boxes with an entrance hole and the bottom removed, or large cardboard tubes.
Toys are a great way to provide mental stimulation; all rabbits like to chew, so give them toilet paper or paper towel rolls, small empty cardboard cartons, small piles of shredded paper, branches from untreated trees (dry the wood for at least a month to prevent any adverse reactions to the sap), wooden chew toys designed for birds, unfinished unpainted wicker or straw baskets. They like things that make noise such as keys, empty plastic or metal cans, hard plastic baby toys and jar lids. To make a toy more interesting, you can hide in it healthy treats, as described in the diet section, or stuff hay in hiding areas. Giving the rabbit a sense that he or she is foraging for food is an excellent mental activity.
Dental Disease is any condition that causes a rabbit's teeth to be worn down improperly or cause malocclusion (trauma to the face, breed/genetic malformation, infectious and nutritional disease, diet) can result in serious dental disease. The best prevention is a healthy diet including grass hay and green foods. Regardless of whether your rabbit is experiencing problems, they should have a dental examination performed by a veterinarian at least once a year. You should never attempt to trim a rabbit's overgrown teeth without consulting your veterinarian, as this can lead to irreversible damage. Any drooling or loss of appetite should be considered a medical emergency. Pudding-like stools can be a sign of problems with GI motility, usually caused by an inappropriate diet. This should also be monitored closely.
Urinary Disease can be best prevented through adequate water intake, which is accomplished through the feeding of green foods and providing fresh water daily. The normal color of rabbit urine can range from yellow to dark orange-red. The color comes from plant pigments in the food or from normal pigments produced in the wall of the bladder. The urine can be clear or cloudy with a white precipitate. The white precipitate is excess calcium excreted through the urine. Rabbits can develop disease of the bladder or kidneys and may exhibit signs such as blood in the urine, straining to urinate, inappropriate or frequent urination, or the complete inability to urinate. If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Spay/Castration can be performed in rabbits after 4 months of age, and can work to prevent certain health concerns and negative behavioral changes. Uterine adenocarcinoma is a malignant cancer that can affect female rabbits over two years of age, and the best prevention of this disease is to remove the reproductive organs in a surgical procedure called a spay. Some male rabbits have a tendency to become aggressive in their adolescence (8-18 months of age) and can also start spraying urine on vertical surfaces outside the toilet area to mark their territory. Surgical removal of the testicles, called castration, can control these behaviors if it is done before the behavior occurs or shortly thereafter.
RABBIT SURGERY
Exotic anesthetic risks are directly correlated with the skill, experience, and monitoring capabilities of your veterinary practice. The subject of sedation - in exotic pets in particular - is clouded with misinformation.
We try to be as transparent as possible with our pricing and protocols! We feel strongly in arming you with the tools to make informed decisions. When asking your veterinarian about exotic anesthesia, be prepared to ask critical questions. Our stringent protocols include specialized anesthetic and surgical equipment, veterinarians with extensive exotic experience, and licensed veterinary technicians. Cornerstone is proud to provide the same exceptional standards utilized in exotic referral or university settings.
The average cost of a spay or neuter is around $500, excluding bloodwork.
Below is an itemized breakdown of a typical rabbit anesthetic procedure.
$75 | PRE-ANESTHETIC EVALUATION
Examination Every exotic patient undergoes a thorough physical exam before their scheduled surgery date. It allows you to meet with a veterinarian to discuss the risks, benefits, and your expectations regarding the procedure. We generate an itemized estimate based on your pet's weight during this time.
$100 - $150 | DIAGNOSTICS
Bloodwork Laboratory testing is strongly recommended to look for preexisting health conditions that may interfere with anesthesia. The type can vary based on your pet's age and condition.
$100 | PRE-MEDICATION AND SEDATION
Anti-Anxiety Medications We administer the same anti-anxiety medications used in humans before a procedure to reduce the risk of prolonged stress, and can be completely reversed.
Multi-Modal Pain Injections Administering anti-inflammatory and long-lasting narcotic pain relief prior to surgery reduces the amount of anesthesia needed. Less inhalant anesthesia decreases the risk of complication.
Anti-Nausea Medication Although rabbits and some other exotic mammals are unable to vomit, maintaining their appetite reduces the risk of post-operative GI stasis, a life-threatening condition.
Multi-Modal Pain Injections Administering anti-inflammatory and long-lasting narcotic pain relief prior to surgery reduces the amount of anesthesia needed. Less inhalant anesthesia decreases the risk of complication.
Anti-Nausea Medication Although rabbits and some other exotic mammals are unable to vomit, maintaining their appetite reduces the risk of post-operative GI stasis, a life-threatening condition.
$80 | INDUCTION
Intravenous Catheter A specially-sized indwelling catheter is placed, allowing for the administration of induction medications, supportive fluid therapy, and emergency drugs if needed.
Induction Agent An exotic-safe induction is administered intravenously to allow our for placement of an endotracheal tube. This method is much safer and less stressful than an inhalant mask.
Endoscopic Intubation A special scope is used by our veterinarian and licensed veterinary technician to place a tube in the airway. This allows for direct delivery of oxygen and anesthetic agents that can be adjusted quickly for safety. Inhalant anesthesia is the first choice for any surgical procedure, and allows for a rapid and smooth recovery.
Induction Agent An exotic-safe induction is administered intravenously to allow our for placement of an endotracheal tube. This method is much safer and less stressful than an inhalant mask.
Endoscopic Intubation A special scope is used by our veterinarian and licensed veterinary technician to place a tube in the airway. This allows for direct delivery of oxygen and anesthetic agents that can be adjusted quickly for safety. Inhalant anesthesia is the first choice for any surgical procedure, and allows for a rapid and smooth recovery.
$150-250 | SURGERY
Sterile Surgery Suite A dedicated suite is used for the procedure, using the same sterile techniques as in any human surgery. It is performed using instruments designed exclusively for use in small exotic animals.
Continuous Monitoring The most common causes of complications are preventable under the care of an experienced and licensed veterinary technician. Electrocardiograms, pulse oximetry, dopplers and veterinary-specific patient warming units are used in conjunction with continuous monitoring of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and reflex assessments.
Residency-Trained Surgeon Dr. Keith Benson has extensive experience in the nuances of exotic anesthesia and surgery. You are entitled to know how your pet will be handled throughout their procedure.
Dedicated Recovery Nurse All exotic surgical patients have a dedicated postoperative recovery nurse, who will continuously monitor their vitals and condition until they are awake, moving, and eating on their own.
Continuous Monitoring The most common causes of complications are preventable under the care of an experienced and licensed veterinary technician. Electrocardiograms, pulse oximetry, dopplers and veterinary-specific patient warming units are used in conjunction with continuous monitoring of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and reflex assessments.
Residency-Trained Surgeon Dr. Keith Benson has extensive experience in the nuances of exotic anesthesia and surgery. You are entitled to know how your pet will be handled throughout their procedure.
Dedicated Recovery Nurse All exotic surgical patients have a dedicated postoperative recovery nurse, who will continuously monitor their vitals and condition until they are awake, moving, and eating on their own.
$50-75 | POST-OPERATIVE SUPPORT
Exotic-Specific Prescriptions Medications to go home for exotic patients are a deceptively expensive part of their care! Each one has to be formulated specifically for their species. Your pet's medications will be flavored according to their needs and dosing sizes to help with ease of administration.
Supportive Care We are equipped to provide any exotics-specific critical care needs for you to take home, allowing you to best support your pet through their recovery. This includes specialty-sized cones, or body wraps, individual cast molds or bandages, or critical care syringe feeding diets for herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.
Supportive Care We are equipped to provide any exotics-specific critical care needs for you to take home, allowing you to best support your pet through their recovery. This includes specialty-sized cones, or body wraps, individual cast molds or bandages, or critical care syringe feeding diets for herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.
Additional questions or concerns? Contact us here.
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Handling your rabbit requires care and attention to prevent serious spinal injuries. The main thing to remember is to always support the hindquarters. Scoop up under the chest and then place your other hand under the back legs to lift your bunny from the floor. Ask your veterinarian or an experienced rabbit handler about other methods used to handle rabbits. When handling or medicating your bunny, working near the floor can prevent injury.
How to Medicate or Syringe Feed a Rabbit
You may have been prescribed medications or syringe feeding for your rabbit as part of a treatment plan. Frequent feeding and timely administration of treatments are essential for recovery. The below video shows some helpful tips for how to do these things safely.
Administering Subcutaneous (SQ) Fluids
Although intravenous fluids are ideal, subcutaneous fluids may be used in conjunction with other treatments to aid in the rehydration of the gastrointestinal tract, management of kidney disease, increase in blood volume, or maintaining appropriate hydration status. The following video will assist you in how to administer these fluids at home safely.
Trimming Your Rabbit's Nails
Not only is it more cost-effective to perform nail trims at home, it also minimizes the stress of travel. We encourage you to work with your rabbit on the floor or your lap, versus a high surface, for safety. Remember that you can always split nail trims up into sessions - doing a few nails at a time over the course of a week can make the experience less stressful for both owner and rabbit.
Many of the above husbandry recommendations are adapted from "The Small Mammal Health Series" by Susan Brown, DVM. As always, we encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns - we'd love to hear from you! - the staff of Cornerstone Animal Hospital