Are you sure you're OK??

Bunnies can't just get your attention and say: "Uh, I don't think I am feeling good", or "This really hurts!"

The most they can do to allow you to notice them is squeak or grunt--and sometimes you can hardly even tell what those grunts mean. Signs having to do with behavior changes or unexpected things your bunny may do can also be confusing. Here are some "Help my bunny's" that can help you determine what is wrong!

"Help, my bunny's......

abdomen is swollen"

This may be a sign of severe gas or acute bloat and must be treated immediately with simethicone to save the rabbit's life. 

coughing/choking"

Rabbits may occasionally cough, choke, and snort during mealtime. Gently take a clean soft cloth and wipe the rabbit's face and the nostril area. If the coughing continues for more than a minute, consult a veterinarian. 

ears are hot!"

While petting your bunny, you may notice either hot or cold ears. This indicates that the rabbit is either feeling very hot or very cold. Keep your rabbit inside at all times, unless you are letting them out on a harness for a little while, because they do not deal with high or low temperatures very well.

leg is dangling!"

Most likely the leg is broken, or cut so badly it has gotten so swollen they cannot bend it. You can easily tell by the size and how normal-looking the leg is. Do not, and I mean NOT try any "home remedies" such as a home-made cast or any sort of ointment on the rabbit, just take them to your trusted vet who helps with emergency care. (P.S: Choose the best vet who specializes only in emergencies, even if your other vet who only does check-ups claims to do this kind of care. Believe me, he could make the leg even worse...)

lying on the floor not moving"

Well, this can be many different things. One, it could be as simple as your bunny is catching some "Z"s. But if the rabbit is panting or breathing very slightly, the rabbit may die soon or is already dead. In these cases, you may only have one choice, and that is to take bunny to the vet for his last time.

For more rabbit first aid tips, go to: smallanimalchannel.com/rabbit first aid

Giving Your Small Pet Medicine

A constant hassle during your small critter's life is when he needs medications. Your stuffy-nosed guinea pig or your wheezing hammie may be difficult to handle. Or you may just not know quite how to stick the dropper in the tiny, buck-toothed jaws of a persistent rabbit. Well, I'm here to help! Now, you'll be able to give your critter medicine with ease.

First things first....  

You have read the label on the container fifteen times, but you are still in shock. How can I stuff this huge dropper into my hamster's mouth?? you think. The truth is, you don't have to. Simply squirt the needed amount into the hamster's(or rabbit's or rat's or etc.) water bottle. Simple, right?? Told 'ya.

Second things second..... 

With some medications, they come as tablets the animal has to eat. These cannot be dissolved in water, but you can put it in a food item or offer a treat after the animal has chewed the tablet. Watch your pet to make sure he has eaten it before you walk off.

Third things third.............. 

Reward the pet every time. For once a day, after the tablet has been eaten, give your pet a good snuggle. My rabbit Daisy, who used to take medicine for when she was a young bunny, enjoyed a privilege such as a longer playtime every day or even a half a banana(only one day a week, of course!). 

To end with, any small pet can be very feisty, especially because they aren't feeling too hot. Always be patient with your pet, even if you get a nip or scratch, and always contact your vet if your pet seems to be allergic to the medications! 

Ailments in Gerbils

Anyone who has or is thinking about getting a gerbil should read this! These are only a few, but there are much more!


External:

Broken/overgrown teeth

Symptoms: Gerbil cannot close mouth properly, and/or cannot eat.

Causes: Chewed on a hard material like the side of the stone fireplace (that happens all the time!) or cement, or does not have an acceptable material to wear teeth down on.

Treatment: A broken or lost tooth is very difficult or even fatal to a gerbil. Overgrown teeth can be easily clipped by a vet or you, but deep cuts caused by the tooth sinking into the bottom of the lip should be treated.


Nose Problems

Symptoms: Red or bleeding nose and/or bald spot above nose

Causes: Allergy to bedding or something in cage or chewing on wire bars of the cage frequently.

Treatment: wash everything in cage and switch bedding to another, more reliable brand. Bald nose problem: Move gerbil and his cages mate(s) to a non-wire bar cage, or if you cannot afford another one yet, give your gerbil things that will not make him bored enough to chew on the bars.


Ear Problems

Symptoms: head tilt, loss of balance, or bleeding around ear area.

Cause: Inner ear infection, or simply a scratch from the gerbils nails while he was grooming.

Treatment: Inner ear infections need to be consulted by a vet immediatly, but a scratch on the ear involves a little cleaning with some neosporin and a cutting of all the gerbils' nails, to avoid them being too sharp.



Internal:


Wet-tail

Symptoms: Sometimes lethargy, diarrhea, and orangish-red staining from urine all around the rear end.

Cause: Diarrhea.

Treatment: Wet tail is a disease of hamsters, caused by an organism similar to Lawsonia intracelluraris. It basically causes diarrhea in the hamster.
You can treat it using hamster antibiotics, because it is rare to a gerbil for this disease. I know some gerbils can get it, so this is why I am saying this one too.