Animal Care Associates, Inc
840 Oakwood Road
Charleston, WV 25314
304-344-2244

Rabbit Health

Antibiotics in Rabbits

Antibiotics should never be used in rabbits unless they are specifically prescribed by a veterinarian. The route of administration (oral versus injectable) of antibiotics is a much more important consideration with rabbits than with dogs and cats. Because rabbits are herbivorous (plant-eating) and depend upon bacteria within their bowel for proper digestion, antibiotics given by mouth can wipe out these beneficial bowel microorganisms. When these helpful and necessary bacteria are destroyed, undesirable bacteria can overgrow and produce poisons with in the bowel that can kill the rabbit. When needed, injectable antibiotics are preferred because they are far less injurious to the bacteria within the intestinal tract.

Appearance of Rabbit Urine

Urine from normal rabbits usually contains large amounts of a light-colored sediment and may appear abnormal to the uninitiated. The color of normal rabbit urine varies from white, to
yellowish- white, to light brown. Rabbits that drink large quantities of water tend to produce clearer urine containing less sediment.

Rabbits that have been recently treated with antibiotics and those undergoing significant stress may temporarily produce urine that is orange or red-tinged. Such urine can be differentiated from that which accompanies urinary tract infections or uterine bleeding by use of a urinalysis, performed by a veterinarian.

Sensitivity of the Rabbit's Intestinal Tract

The bacterial populations in a rabbit's intestinal tract are considered the most delicately balanced of any in all herbivorous mammals. The growth and activity of normal (favorable) bacteria tend to keep potentially harmful bacteria in check. Overgrowth toxins that are rapidly absorbed into the rabbit's circulation, quickly causing illness and death.

In addition to orally administered antibiotics, other insults can disturb the balance of bacteria. Rapid changes in the diet are most often implicated. For example, a rabbit's diet was suddenly changed from alfalfa pellets to oats because the pet owner had run out of rabbit pellets. The rabbit died within 24 hours of this diet change. Another case of sudden death involved a pet rabbit that ate a large quantity of oatmeal cereal and died the following day. A third rabbit was allowed to consume huge quantities of lawn grass. Its intestinal tract was not adequately prepared and the rabbit died the same day.
No other commonly kept house pet is as sensitive to dietary changes as the rabbit. Consequently, such changes should be made very gradually. Supplements to the regular diet should be added cautiously and should not constitute more than 20% of the total diet by volume.
 

Home / About Us / Doctors / Pets / Staff / Tour / Employment / Site Map 

Diagnostics / AAHA  / Links / Maps / MyVetDirect / Contact Us