Rabbit Health & Veterinary Care: A Complete Guide

Your rabbit needs a rabbit-experienced vet, not a general practitioner. GI stasis can be fatal in 12 hours. Most rabbit owners don't find a vet until their rabbit is sick. The AVMA recommends annual wellness exams. Here's the preventive care schedule and the emergency vet triggers you need to know.

Annual wellness exams with a rabbit-experienced vet. Spay/neuter at 4-6 months (prevents cancer, improves behavior). Quarterly exams for rabbits over 7 years old.

Preventive dental care is critical. Rabbits' teeth grow continuously. High-quality hay wears down teeth naturally. Regular pellets and vegetables support dental health.

Rabbits require daily exercise to maintain gastrointestinal motility and bone density. Provide 4+ hours of free-roam or access to a large enclosure.

Grooming prevents mats and matting-related skin infections. Special attention to ears (lop ears, in particular, need weekly cleaning).

GI stasis: Rabbit is quiet, hunched, won't eat or drink. Same-day vet emergency. Myxomatosis: Swelling around eyes and face, fever—AVMA requires quarantine and euthanasia in most cases. Ear infections (otitis externa): Lop ears trap moisture and debris—weekly cleaning essential. Malocclusion: Misaligned teeth; some breeds predisposed; regular vet checks catch early. Respiratory infections: Upper respiratory disease from poor ventilation—immediate vet attention. Enterotoxemia: Bacterial overgrowth from diet changes or stress—same-day emergency.

Wellness exams: $50–$150. Spay/neuter: $200–$500. Emergency vet visit: $500–$1,500.