TINSELTOWN RABBIT STUD

PERTH (WA) breeder of quality DWARF LOP RABBITS

Frequently Asked Questions

7 Questions

Q 1: What is the differance between a Mini Lop and a Dwarf Lop?

A: Mini Lops weigh around 1.5 kg and Dwarf around 2.5 kg.

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Q 2: What can they eat?

A: Rabbit pellets or mix for rabbits, meadow hay, oaten hay, grass, safe fruits and vegetables. This is a very small example: Celery heads, Bok Choy, Carrots, Broccoli. (please no lettuce).

Q 3: How long will a rabbit live?

A: You could expect up to 10yrs with good care.

Q 4: Can I litter train my rabbit?

A: Yes, though some rabbits a better at it than others. It might take a bit of time, but with persistence, they'll get there. You'll need to see where they like to do their business and put the tray there, add some of their hard poop pellets and they'll get the idea. You may have to keep moving the tray around in the beginning.

Q 5: What can I do with soiled bedding and how often should I clean the hutch?

A: If you want to be environmently friendly, then I would suggest to compost. Soiled hay, newspaper or shavings can all go in the compost (what a great way to start a veggie garden for your rabbit). If you use a litter tray then check everyday if it needs attending to and the rest of the hutch should be cleaned every week, maybe twice or more in summer (to reduce flies, odour and for comfort). It will depend on what type of bedding use choose.

Q 6: Should I groom my rabbit?

A: Of course you can, rabbits naturally groom themselves but you can help to. You can use a brush or simply your hands. If you wet your hands a little, you will find that a lot of hair will come of. Rabbits do go through a moult or several and with excessive grooming may lead to hairballs and as rabbits can't regurgitate, this could be deadly. Feeding a good diet that always includes hay is very important to their gut and can dramatically reduce this event. Also it is good interaction time with your rabbit and can help with bonding. Particular rabbit breeds like the Cashmere or Angora will always need regular grooming. Some owners even get these ones shaved to help eliminate grooming time, or for comfort.

Q 7: My rabbits nails are long, how do I trim them?

A: Domestic rabbits will need their nails trimmed regularly to help prevent you from being scratched and their nails and toes from splitting or growing at odd flat angles. Rabbits are designed to dig and burrow, so their nails would naturally were down. If you bought your rabbit from a reputable breeder, then they would have shown you how to do it, if not then ask. It may take a little practice at first, just be sure not to cut the blood vessel. If you do, just dab a little corn flower on it to stem the bleeding. Some rabbits may let you lie them on their back and some just sit on your lap or a table (remember to lay a towel on your lap first to help with wriggley rabbits or you can wrap them in the towel, exposing one leg at a time, take a small snip. It is better to do a couple of small snips than one big snip to avoid the quick. Don't forget the dew claw. They may pull their leg away as if you are hurting them, but I think it is more of the action of the snipping (have you known many pet dogs that like getting their nails clipped?) You can use animal nail clippers. Check nail length monthly. If you still don't feel confident then maybe ask your breeder or vet.

Health

Many health issues can be avoided with good animal husbandry. Keeping your rabbit in a clean, safe environment and feeding a well balanced diet is best for your bunny. The more you ask and read about keeping rabbits the better start in life they will have and your bunny will live you for it.

If you purchase your rabbit from a reputable breeder, they will be very happy to share with you the best way to look after your rabbit. There is a lot of information on the internet and don't dismiss books. Your local library may have something. Your breeder will most likely give you some information sheets or a booklet.

It is always advisable to pre check with your local vet before your rabbit is ill. Ask if they are experienced with rabbits, it just might be worth the trip to go a bit further if you know your rabbit will get the specialized treatment it needs.

Some health problems can be easily fixed at home, but if you are unsure, please don't hesitate to check with your vet, your prompt responce may save your rabbits life.

Signs of good health

Clear and bright eyes
Glossy coat
Top front teeth overlap bottom teeth
Good appetite
Clean ears
Curious/alert personality
Faeces are firm and pea shaped, night faeces may be wet looking, kidney shaped or bunched together like grapes
Urine is a clear yellow to a cloudy colour

Signs of health problems

Diarrhoea
Faeces strung together with hair (they might look like a string of pearls)
No faeces at all or extremely small faeces
Malocclusion (Bottom teeth overlap top teeth)
Crooked or broken teeth
Flaking or dry skin (could be mites)
Waxy/dirty debris in ears
Not eating or drinking
Bald patches not relating to shedding or moulting
Abscesses/lumps on the skin
Bleeding/raw pads
Scabbing/sore around the nose
Discharge/sores from the genitals
Difficulty walking
Head tilt or Wry neck
Excessive sneezing
Gurling sounds from the stomach
Mucus discharge from the nose/eyes

Calici Virus (RCD)

This is an introduced disease into Australia. There is no known cure and vaccination is highly recommended. You can vaccinate your baby rabbit from ten weeks of age, then an annual booster every year. You may vaccinate a rabbit from six weeks but it will need a booster after four weeks. The West Australian Rabbit Council usually holds two RCD vaccination days a year at a greatly reduced price from the vet, so please contact them on their website to check dates.

Symstoms may include

Lethargy
High fever
Spasms
Loss of appetite
Sudden death

It can be spread to your rabbit by birds, insects, rodents, mosquitoes, fleas or even yourself, acting as a host if you have visited another rabbit and not aware of its precence. It can be spread by your clothes, shoes, even your car, if you have touched other rabbits objects or even their faeces of an infected rabbit. Always wash your hands before and after visiting your friends rabbit and change your shoes/clothes before you touch your own rabbit.

Incubation is relatively short and your rabbit could die within forty eight hours of exposure. The death rate is very high, between 50-100% Please vaccinate.

Myxomatosis

There is no vaccination for this disease in Australia. Myxomatosis was introduced into Australia in 1950 to reduce pest numbers, but resistance to the virus has increased and less deadly strains of the virus remains. Our pet rabbits possess no resistance to Myxomatosis and mortality rates are between 95-100%. Most rabbits die within 10-14 days of infection and your rabbit may die before you even notice any signs. Usually treatment is not recommended and the kindest thing is to have your rabbit euthanized.

It is transmitted from rabbit to rabbit via biting insects ie: mosquitoes, fleas. Check with your vet to see what flea treatment is suitable. NEVER use Frontline on rabbits, it could kill them.

Symtoms may include

Sore or swollen eyes and nose
Swollen earflaps and genitalia
Not eating or drinking

Domestic rabbits can only be protected by being housed in a mosquito-proof hutch or keeping your rabbit indoors, especially at night. Avoid putting them out for their daily exercise to early or late. If you house your rabbit outdoors, then place fly wire on the hutch to prevent mosquitos biting.

Bringing home a new rabbit is not recommended for at least four months after Myxomatosis as the virus can survive in the environment for some time. Thoroughly disinfect all rabbit items, hutch, water/food dishes with household bleach, rinsing it off so that it cannot be ingested by new rabbits.

Pasteurella

Pasteurella or more commonly called Snuffles. It is thought that the Pasteurella organism resides natually in rabbit's sinuses but can multiply rapidly under certain conditions. It is usually bought on by stressful situations and can cause illness or death. Snuffles usually starts as an infection in the sinuses and can spread to the eyes or organs in the body and maybe encourage pneumonia, cause abscesses in the head and jaw and infect the inner ear, causing the head to tilt. It is highly contagious and your rabbit will need to be confined on his own. As your rabbit's carer, you will need to be very vigilante with hygiene as you could keep reinfecting your rabbit.

Symptoms may include

Sneezing
White or yellow discharge from the nose
Runny eyes
Coughing
Difficulty breathing

They may have matted crusty fur on the front paws attempting to wipe away discharge from the nose. It can be very difficult to treat and once your rabbit has had it, it is usually more prone to reinfection. It could take several months for your rabbit to be alleviated of symptoms. Consult your vet for diagnosis.

Teeth (Malocclusion)

Rabbits teeth are continually growing and need to be checked regularly. Malocclusion is a condition where the incisors do not align. The top teeth should overlap the bottom. Usually this is where problems can occur. It can either be heredity or from not being worn down, due to their diet or possibly an injury.

Rabbits need to eat roughage always. Providing them with different grasses, hay, straw, weeds (suitable ones), chewing sticks/blocks, cardboard boxes/old phone books is essential. Make sure your rabbit has different textures to eat as it requires different chewing actions and keeps them in tip top shape.

If they have this problem they will need to be trimmed (best to let a vet do this). If left unattended the teeth can grow up into the nostrils or lips/gums or into the sides of the mouth. It will cause your bunny extreme discomfort and possible weight loss.

You can look at your rabbits teeth by pulling back the skin above the mouth, streching around from the top of the head or you can approach from the front but you have more of a chance being nipped that way.