Rabbits

Why is vaccination important

Vaccination is vital in protecting your pet from key infectious diseases that cause pain, distress and can be life-threatening.

Annual preventative healthcare and vaccination appointments provide an opportunity for regular health checks for your pet and an understanding of their needs.

Vaccinations for cats and dogs usually consist of a primary course of two or three vaccinations to stimulate an immune response, followed by annual boosters to maintain immunity as the initial immune response gradually fades over time.

Vaccinations for rabbits

Rabbits need to be vaccinated against two life-threatening diseases: myxomatosis and the classic and variant strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease. These diseases are easily transmissible and both indoor and outdoor rabbits are at risk. All rabbits should therefore receive yearly vaccinations to ensure they are protected.

What is microchipping?

Microchipping is a safe and permanent way of identifying your pet and is the best way to ensure that they can be returned to you if they are lost or stolen.

Many pets can be microchipped, including dogs, cats, rabbits and a variety of other species.

While collars and tags can be lost or removed, microchips are a more reliable and permanent form of identification.

However, they will only work if you keep your contact details, such as your address and phone number, updated and accurate.

What does the process involve?

Having your pet microchipped is both quick and safe.

The microchip is implanted beneath the skin of your pet, commonly at the back of their neck, in a procedure that causes minimal discomfort. Microchipping is carried out by your vet or another trained member of the team.

The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and will last for the duration of your pet’s life. Once it is implanted it is painless and your pet will not know it is there.

We will help you to register the microchip with the correct database to ensure your contact details are linked to the chip number for future use.

It is really important that these details are kept up to date if your contact information changes – we will show you how to do this if necessary.

How does microchipping work?

If your pet is found by anyone, a professional such as a vet or a dog warden will scan the microchip and be given a 15-digit code.

This code can then be searched on the microchip database, who will run security checks before supplying your contact details so you can be notified.

Providing you have kept your contact details up to date, this will enable you to be reunited with your pet!

What is neutering?

Neutering is a surgical procedure which takes away a pet’s ability to reproduce. It is known as spaying in females and castration in males.

Spaying, sometimes spelt speying, involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus (womb). Castration is the removal of the testes (testicles).

Neutering pets can be beneficial for their health and wellbeing, as well as preventing unplanned litters.

Neutering rabbits

Rabbits are social animals and to prevent loneliness, it’s recommended they live in pairs.

Neutered male and female rabbits can cohabit together happily without producing any unwanted litters. Neutering can also help same sex rabbits live together with reduced risks of behavioural problems such as fighting, caused by their hormones.

There are other benefits to neutering rabbits.

In females:

• Prevents the development of uterine cancers
• It can prevent unwanted mounting and hormonally driven aggression developing –  you should speak to your vet if you are having behavioural problems with your rabbit

Female rabbits can generally be spayed at around four months old. However this may be influenced by several factors so discuss your rabbit’s individual situation with your vet.

In males:

• Unneutered male rabbits can sometimes be too aggressive to live with other rabbits, which can leave them lonely and compromise their welfare
• Neutering may reduce urine spraying, aggression and other behavioural problems that are hormone driven

Male rabbits can generally be neutered once their testicles have descended. This usually happens at around 12 weeks old. Your vet will be able to advise on the best plan for your rabbit’s individual situation.

We also offer neutering services for other pets, so please enquire if you would like more information or have any questions.

Why is dental care so important?

Dental disease is commonly seen in dogs, cats, rabbits and other species.

When your pets visit us we will routinely undergo a full clinical examination, which includes looking inside their mouths and at their teeth.

This is often when dental disease is discovered.

Pets often do not express pain in the way we expect them to and therefore dental disease often goes undetected at home and may be present for some time before it is discovered.

Rabbits with dental disease may show signs including a decreased appetite, runny eyes, a wet chin or front legs, and a build-up of faeces around their tail.

You should always contact your vet for advice if you notice any changes that are not normal for your pet.

How do I find out if my pet has a dental problem?

If you have noticed any changes in your pet’s health or believe they are unwell, please book in for an appointment.

Annual vaccination appointments include a full health check and offer a great opportunity to have your pet’s mouth and teeth checked so that any signs of dental disease can be caught early.

What sort of dental problems can my pet get?

Below is a list of some of the common dental problems we encounter:

• Plaque is a bacteria-rich film which is tightly adherent to the teeth but can be removed by brushing. Plaque which is not removed, with time, will mineralise and become a hard discoloured material known as calculus, which can only be removed by scaling with a dental scaler.
• Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, caused by infection or irritation. The source of the infection is typically plaque or calculus. Gingivitis can cause the gumline to become red, swollen or bleed easily.
• Gingivitis can lead to infection, known as periodontal disease. The further the infection tracks the more damage is done to the periodontal ligament. Deep pockets of infection form under the gum line and the tooth root attachment becomes weakened until eventually the tooth itself becomes loose.
• Tooth root abscesses can form as progression of periodontal disease, but also as a result of infections tracking down the inside of the tooth – for instance if the crown of the tooth has been damaged.
• Chipped, cracked or worn teeth are sadly not infrequent and can be caused by pets chewing on very hard objects.
• The dental disease we see in rabbits is different to that of cats and dogs. Overgrowth of both the front and back teeth is often seen and can be linked to factors such as a lack of dietary fibre.

If you want to learn more about how best to care for your pet’s dental health, please do contact a member of our team.