Bunny Basics For A Healthy, Hearty Life
Taking care of a rabbit is relatively easy. If you have a sturdy enclosure, bedding, and all of the foods that your pet enjoys eating, you are taking care of your pet's immediate needs. However, an underlying health issue or despondent attitude should be identified and assessed by a veternarian. Ensuring that your furry friend receives an annual pet wellness exam can highly improve the odds that your rabbit will live a healthy and hearty life.
A Skittish Pet Is To Be Expected
If you recently purchased or adopted your pet, they are probably in the initial 'getting to know you' phase. A small creature needs to be handled regularly in order to grow accustomed to their human owner. On the day of your pet's appointment with a veterinarian, they may be rather skittish and hard to contain. Prepare an enclosure that can be used for transportation purposes. A small box or wire mesh cage that has a soft liner added to its base will provide your pet with a comfortable area to lay down.
Add some fresh greens, carrots, and rabbit pellets to a dish and place the food items right next to your pet. Secure a hanging water bottle from the enclosure. After arriving for the appointment, keep your pet inside of its enclosure. Do not attempt to remove your rabbit until you are inside of one of the exam rooms and the door is closed.
An Exam Will Cover Several Areas
The veterinarian may request that you bring in a stool sample and blood tests will likely be administered. A visual inspection can pinpoint common ailments and injuries, but blood testing can uncover problems that are not easily detectable. Your rabbit's sense of sight, smell, and touch may be examined and their fur will be assessed. A healthy rabbit should have a glossy sheen to their coat. Provide information about the diet that your pet eats and divulge details about your rabbit's mannerisms and daily routine.
If your rabbit receives a clean bill of health, gently pick up your pet and place them back inside of their enclosure prior to leaving the medical practice. Your rabbit should be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year when they are relatively young. Once your rabbit is older, the veterinarian may request that your pet is seen twice a year since medical problems may be more prevalent with an older pet.
