Breed-related health conditions

There are some conditions that are common in specific breeds. In particular giant, lop-eared, long-haired, shorter haired and short-nosed breeds. This is due to genetics and how each breed has developed over many, many years. If you own one of these breeds, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any signs of these conditions so you can be one step ahead, and if you are considering getting rabbits as pets, you may want to look to avoid these breeds.

Giant breeds include the Belgian Hare, British Giant, Checkered Giant, Continental Giant, English Lop, Flemish Giant, French Lop, Giant Papillon, Meissner Lop, New Zealand White, Vienna… the list goes on – Any rabbit over the ideal bodyweight weight of around 5kg, would be considered a Giant. Most conditions affecting these breeds are related to their general size and weight. Here are some of the most common conditions you might see in your giant rabbit.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD) is inflammation of the joints, and it has many causes. In rabbits, arthritis is most commonly seen as a painful degenerative condition affecting older animals. But this condition is also common at a much younger age in giant breeds. If you notice your bunny slowing down or shuffling on their back legs, this could be a sign that arthritis is causing them some pain. Other signs may include being unable to hop in a straight line, unable to groom themselves or reach to eat their cecotrophs which may drop onto the floor or become stuck around their tail area, not using their litter tray and a reluctance to move and especially use different levels within their environment. With veterinary treatment and careful management at home your rabbit can continue to live a pain-free, happy life, so it is important to consult your veterinarian if you notice any signs.

Cardiomyopathy

Although heart disease is thought to be rare in rabbits, large and particularly giant rabbits seem more prone to a type of heart disease called cardiomyopathy that affects the heart muscle, although the reason for this predisposition is unknown. Signs can include difficulty/labored breathing, a hunched-up posture, mobility issues, loss of appetite, pale or blue gums and lips, and weight loss, although their abdomen may look larger if fluid builds up in it. If your rabbit develops a heart condition, your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate treatment for them. Many of the medications are in tablet form, so you may need to crush the tablet and mix with water to syringe into your rabbit. It is important to keep any stress down to a minimum as this can have a detrimental effect on the heart.

Sore hocks (pododermatitis)

These are pressure sores that generally affect the heel of the back feet. Giant breeds weigh a lot more than your average bunny, so the added weight and pressure that’s put on their feet can be a problem. The skin on the feet becomes sore and inflamed. If it’s not treated early, it can cause infection, and be extremely painful and difficult to treat. Prevention is the name of the game. Make sure your rabbit maintains a healthy weight and has a soft, thick layer of bedding in their enclosure – hay is the best as the feet will naturally sink into the thick layer. Check their feet regularly for any early signs and make sure their claws are not overgrown. Overgrown claws force the feet into an unnatural position with more pressure being put on the hock area. House rabbits, kept on carpet are also at risk due to the friction from the carpet.

Spondylosis

This is a degenerative spinal joint disease resulting in stiffness or even fusion of the joints/vertebrae which means the spine becomes rigid. Bony spurs can also develop on the bones of the spine which may cause pain if they rub together. Obesity, lack of exercise or general immobility are often causes, but genetics can also be a factor. You may notice your rabbit having difficulty hopping and/or walking, not using their litter tray and adopting a hunched posture Treatment is possible and with careful management your rabbit can be kept comfortable, but it is a degenerative condition that will eventually get worse over time.

Lop-eared breeds include the Dwarf Lop, English Lop, French Lop, German Lop, Meissner Lop, Miniature Lop, Miniature Lion… and many more! Conditions affecting these breeds are related to the abnormal anatomy of their ears, which is a man-made feature and not something that is actually of any benefit for the rabbit. Their ear canals are kinked over and much narrower than normal leading to decreased air flow, a build-up of wax, and ear pain. They also have far less acute sense of hearing, so may be startled more easily. Their associated abnormal skull shape also causes dental issues, such as malocclusion, overgrowth and spurs. Here are some of the most common conditions you might see in your lop-eared rabbit.

Dental problems

Because lop-eared breeds have been bred to have a small, round head this means their teeth don’t grow straight or line up properly. This can lead to uneven tooth wear, overgrowth, spurs and dental abscesses. Whilst dental problems in lop eared rabbits may not be 100% preventable, feeding a diet with lots of roughage; hay and grass, will help to keep the teeth worn down. Take your rabbit for regular dental checks to make sure your rabbit doesn’t end up with any painful dental problems. Identifying any potential problems early on means your veterinarian can treat your rabbit to prevent any serious problems later in life. Often dental problems are lifelong, so your rabbit will need repeated treatments for the rest of their life.

Ear base abscesses

Ear base abscesses are generally only ever seen in lop-eared breeds. Abscesses are pockets of infection (bacteria) as well as inflammatory cells that invade an infected area to help fight an infection. Abscesses are the bodies’ way of trying to clear itself of an infection. Feel the base of your rabbit’s ear regularly to check for any lumps, which may only feel the size of a pea. Early detection and treatment is usually more successful, but this condition can require extensive treatment and surgery and sometimes a cure is not possible.

Eye problems

Eye problems are often linked to dental disease. Lop eared rabbits have faces that are squashed – the nasolacrimal tear duct runs from the eye and along the upper jaw to the nose with the purpose of draining tears from the eyes down and out the nose. The tear duct is often kinked as there is not enough room on the rabbits flattened face for it to run normally. Rabbits with dental disease, not only have overgrown teeth (crowns), but also the roots, which will impinge on the tear duct further. Conditions like abscesses, blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis and dacryocystitis are commonly seen. Common signs of an eye problems include ocular discharge, redness or swelling of the skin around the eyes, closed eyes, and pain. Eye conditions are very serious and painful, so call your veterinarian immediately if you think there’s a problem even if your rabbit appears to be otherwise well.

Otitis externa

This condition is caused by mites or bacterial infections. Signs are the same as an ear infection, but crusts and scabs down the ear canal are commonly seen in a rabbit with canker. Check your bunny’s ears regularly for mites and crusts. It is important NOT to manually remove the crusts from the ears as this will cause immense pain and further infection. Once the mites have been killed with a treatment prescribed by your vet, the crusts will resolve on their own.

Otitis interna and otitis media

These are bacterial infection of the inner and middle ear. Scratching at their ears, headshaking, circling and tilting their head to one side are all common signs of an ear infection. If you think your rabbit has an ear infection your veterinarian will need to do some tests to determine the type of infection and rule out other potential causes as these signs can be seen with other conditions. The most common treatment for ear infections are antibiotics but these may not be effective in deep-rooted infections and surgery may be needed.

Long-haired breeds include the American Fuzzy Lop, Angora, Cashmere Lop, Jersey Wooly, Lionhead… and more! These breeds all suffer with problems relating to their coat and skin. Here are some of the most common conditions you might see in your long-haired rabbit.

Fur soiling

Rabbits will do their best to keep themselves clean, but long hair can quickly become soiled if it drags through any dirty areas. Poop-smeared fur can lead to flystrike. Keep the fur on your bunny’s bottom as clean as possible. If necessary, keep the hair around their bottom trimmed to avoid any potential problems, but be extremely careful clipping this. Ask your veterinary nurse to show you how to do this safely as rabbit skin is very thin and is easily cut. If you notice any poop on their bottom, gently clean it away with some cotton wool and lukewarm water and dry it thoroughly with a towel once it’s nice and clean.

Hairballs

When grooming, long-haired breeds consume a lot of hair. A small amount doesn’t tend to cause a problem and is a normal consequence of when rabbits groom themselves or their companion, and will be passed in their droppings, but if large amounts are consumed, this can form hairballs and slow down the digestive system, which can lead to blockages. Signs of a problem include moving around less, eating less/nothing, producing hardly any droppings or none at all, small, hard droppings or droppings strung together with hair. They’ll also grind their teeth loudly if they’re in pain. If your rabbit’s digestive system becomes blocked, they will deteriorate quickly and this can be fatal. This is an emergency, so call your veterinarian immediately so your rabbits can get some treatment as soon as possible.

Long-haired rabbits need to be groomed every day. This will help prevent the ingestion of too much hair. Grooming with brushes with soft tips, a Zoom groom or metal comb will all help, as will keeping the fur clipped shorter. Many rabbits find grooming a stressful experience, so it may be that you need to groom and clip them over several shorter sittings.

Hair matting

Even though rabbits are good at grooming themselves, hair matting, knots and tangles can develop very quickly in long-haired breeds if your rabbit isn’t managing on their own. These will be very uncomfortable for your rabbit and can lead to skin infections and tears to the skin if they’re not brushed out. It’s essential to groom your rabbit every day to prevent these uncomfortable mats from developing. Be warned though, rabbits have very thin, delicate skin, so you must be very gentle when grooming them. Don’t tug at their coat, gently tease out any mats and tangles with a brush or comb. If you struggle remove any matting, you may need to ask your veterinarian or a professional groomer for help. They will be able to clip your rabbit and will avoid any grooming injuries. Long-haired rabbits should only be kept by those experienced in their coat care.

Parasites

Parasites are more likely to occur in long-haired rabbits with matted fur, as are bacterial skin infections (pyoderma), which looks like moist, irritated and painful skin. Treatment is usually quick and effective with prompt veterinary care. If left untreated, parasites can also cause skin problems. Fleas and mites are common and in severe cases can cause baldness, flaky skin, scabs and intense itching. In long-haired rabbits, parasites can be difficult to spot, so make sure you check their coat regularly by parting their hair down to their skin to check for any unwanted visitors!

Heatstroke

The amount of fur that long-haired rabbits have, makes them more prone to heat stroke. The weather doesn’t need to be really hot for them to be affected. Rabbits with heatstroke will mouth breathe, may have a blue tinge to their lips and gums, breathe rapidly, attempt to lie stretched out, and can collapse and start having seizures. This is a serious condition, and it is important to ensure that during warm weather shade is always available. Keep a close eye on your rabbit, provide fresh drinking water in a bowl, fans if possible, cooling aids such as paving slabs in the shade, and bottles of frozen water wrapped in a towel to lie against. If you notice any signs of heatstroke get your rabbit into a cool area straight away and call your veterinarian immediately.

Rex rabbits, which also come in a mini variety, have fur that feels like velvet to the touch. This is because their coat has very short guard hairs. Guard hairs are usually much longer than the undercoat and act a protective layer. Because of the makeup of their coat this potentially causes them several problems.

Sore hocks (pododermatitis)

Their fur on the bottom of their feet is finer than rabbits with a normal coat, so they are more prone to sores developing on the bottom of their feet, much like giant breeds. They need to be prevented and treated in the same ways.

Cold weather problems

Because of their finer fur and very short guard hairs, they are more prone to feeling the cold, especially during really cold weather. Rabbits kept outside will need insulated accommodation, somewhere warmer or binging inside in the colder months.

Short-nosed breeds include the Angora, Dwarf Lop, French Lop, Lionhead, Mini Lop, Netherland Dwarf, Polish… and others! These breeds all suffer from brachycephalic syndrome, a condition that can lead to severe dental, eye and respiratory problems because of the abnormal shape and anatomy of their head. Here are some of the most common conditions you might see in your short-nosed rabbit.

Dental malocclusion and overgrowth

These are commonly seen in brachycephalic breeds. The shape of the jaw is abnormal which means their teeth often don’t line up properly leading to uneven tooth wear. Uneven tooth wear can then lead to other issues like overgrowth of the front teeth, spurs and dental abscesses. Check your rabbits’ teeth regularly at home and if you suspect there are any issues, contact your veterinarian who will be able to perform a full dental check, although this may require a sedation or general anesthetic to assess the teeth properly. Short-nosed breeds often need regular dental treatments to prevent their teeth from causing problems, and many of these are lifelong problems with repeated treatments.

Heat stroke

Rabbits don’t tolerate heat at the best of times, they can’t pant effectively and don’t sweat, which means they’re susceptible to overheating. Short-nosed breeds can find breathing difficult because of the abnormal anatomy of their skull and the fact that rabbits are obligate nasal breathers. Because of this, they’re unable to breathe in enough oxygen to oxygenate the tissues in their body, this means they struggle to cope with the heat even more. Make sure your rabbit is kept away from any heat sources and isn’t left outside when it’s very hot. If your rabbit has to be left outdoors, make sure they have access to shade throughout the day. Make sure their environment is well-ventilated and they have access to water at all times, preferably in a bowl which is easier for them to drink from If your rabbit also has long hair, take them to a professional rabbit groomer to have their hair clipped to reduce the risk of overheating.

Snoring

Because of the shape of the rabbit’s head, their nasal passages will be narrower and shorter than nature intended, much like some dog breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs. Because of their abnormal nasal anatomy, snoring is possible. Hopefully it won’t cause your rabbit too many problems, but it’s worth knowing when a rabbit is in respiratory distress. If you rabbit is distressed, agitated, attempting to breathe through its mouth, rubbing the nose, has a blue tinge to the ears or nose, or is hunched up in an unusual posture and resistant to move, seek veterinary attention without delay as this a life-threatening emergency situation.

Tear duct inflammation/blockage

The tear ducts in a rabbit are normally straight but are often curved and distorted in short-nosed breeds because of the abnormal shape of their skull. This can cause inflammation and blockages of the tear ducts. Sings include ocular discharge, excessive tearing, tear-stained fur and/or skin irritation around the eyes and red eyes. Treatment may include flushing the tear ducts, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Unfortunately in short-nosed breeds this can be a recurring problem and management at home will be required to help keep your rabbit comfortable.

Sadly all of the breeds that have these problems are due to changes that humans have made. Nature intends rabbits to be athletes. Their ears should point up, their faces elongated, with short fur and long guard hairs and they should weigh around 2-3 kg – this is what wild rabbits look like. By changing their features, we have created potentially painful, lifelong and life-limiting conditions for no other reason than to have rabbits with lop ears, flat faces, giant body size or different fur lengths and textures, of which none are of benefit to the rabbits themselves. The potential problems these rabbits suffer is certainly an ethical concern and we should be considering if continuing to breed these rabbits is for their benefit or only ours!