Stopping that "Wascalwy Wabbit"
...from getting nutritionally related problems

Ed Bonnette, Ph.D., Pet and Specialty Feeds Nutritionist

Can you remember a time when Elmer Fudd actually "caught" Bugs Bunny? I can't. But I do know a few people whose rabbits "caught" nutritionally related problems. In this edition, we will explore some of the disease-related problems which arise from improper nutrition.

Today's rabbit is handled by a variety of people with a wide range of backgrounds. They are also raised for a variety of purposes, including house pets, youth projects (4-H), meat production, fur/wool production, laboratory testing or breeding stock. But even with this diversity of interests, there are still common obstacles which must be faced in all of these situations.

One of the biggest problems in rabbit production is with rabbits becoming too fat. Most reproductive problems can be related to the result of excess nutrients. In a male rabbit, too much fat can cause sperm counts to drop which may lead to a decrease in fertility. Too much fat in a female will decrease the chance for an optimal fertilization rate and decrease the size of the birth canal, making delivery more difficult. Excess fat can cause mastitis and, therefore, decrease milk production. To help prevent animals from becoming too fat, make sure the feed used is designed for the rabbit's phase of life. Feed Tradition¨ Rabbit Familyettes free choice to growing animals and animals in the latter stage of gestation and in lactation. If the animal is a non-service buck, non-bred doe, a show animal or a pet, Tradition¨ Rabbit Maintenance will help keep the animals in good health.

Pregnancy toxemia (also called ketosis) is a condition that occurs very suddenly, often not determined until after death. During the latter part of gestation to the first few days of lactation, energy needs of the female increase dramatically. To help supply those needs, the animal breaks down its own fat stores. The problems occur when fat is broken down so fast that two events arise. First, the fat becomes incompletely broken down creating substances known as ketones. The accumulation of ketones becomes detrimental on the tissues of the rabbit. Also, this partially broken down fat begins to gather and "plug up" the liver which, in turn, creates more problems. Treatment, if in time, may include IV glucose and then oral glucose. Prevention is the best treatment by making sure the rabbit is in good body condition when bred and ensuring the amount of energy in the feed is increased towards the end of pregnancy. Top-dressing a feed like Nutri Preme¨ will help complement the Tradition¨ Rabbit Familyettes and help prevent the ketosis.

When a rabbit appears to be losing too much weight, look at its teeth. The teeth of rabbits, like many other animals, continue to grow throughout the rabbit's life. Sometimes if the teeth do not become worn down from gnawing, they will grow so long that normal eating habits are prevented. A simple pair of side-cut pliers can be used to easily cut the teeth to even the length. A similar problem found with rabbit teeth is a genetic disorder called malocclusion. With malocclusion, the top and bottom teeth do not meet which interferes with normal wearing and the teeth become too long. Generally, animals with this defect should not be used for breeding.

Another problem which may occur is "trichobezoars", also called hair balls. This is seen especially in large breeds, including Angora rabbits. One theory for this problem is lack of fiber in the diet. The high level of fiber in rabbit feeds helps push the hair (which is ingested with normal grooming) through the digestive tract. However, when the fiber level is too low in the feed, the digestive tract has a harder time moving the hair through. Also, when the feed contains a low level of fiber, rabbits tend to eat more hair to make up for it. Prevention is the best method of treatment by providing a feed high in fiber content like Tradition¨ Rabbit Familyettes or Tradition¨ Rabbit Maintenance Pellets. Some home treatments, such as fresh pineapple juice or other fruits like mango, kiwi fruit or papayas, contain a proteolytic enzyme which may help dissolve the hair and pass it along the digestive tract.

Rabbits are also susceptible to other problems, including mucoid enteritis (also known as cecal impaction). Mucoid enteritis has been thought to be caused by too little water in the gut, thus creating an impaction. Controlling environmental and water temperature, feeding a salt lick or anything that will help improve water consumption may help prevent this problem.

Milk enterotoxemia may occur in lactating does if the baby kits die around 3 to 6 days of age, even with full stomachs. For reasons not fully understood, somehow the mother absorbs bacteria toxin from the gut and passes it on in the milk. The toxins do not seem to affect the mother but are toxic to the kits. Management of the mother, including controlling the feed intake for the first week after kitting, may be needed.

Diarrhea may be a result of either Tyzzer's disease or coccidiosis in rabbits. The first is caused by a bacteria and the second is a parasitic protozoan. Both can be treated with drugs once properly identified. Other concerns with rabbits are indirectly related to nutrition. Sometimes high ammonia levels in the room that are due to high protein levels in the feed may cause respiratory disease. The addition of products such as Deodorase¨ or Micro-Aid¨ to Tradition¨ Rabbit Feeds is designed to help lower ammonia problems and, thus, decrease rabbit (and human) respiratory problems.

The challenge of feeding rabbits what they need (when they need it) is half the fun of raising these animals. However, disease problems with rabbits can be devastating and discouraging. It has been suggested that nearly all diseases which can influence a rabbit business economically can be influenced somewhat by nutrition. Working with good genetics, good management and optimal nutrition can help keep problems associated with disease to a minimum.

So, let's help all those "Bugs Bunnies" out there to minimize their chances of being caught by a disease ... or Elmer Fudd!

That's all folks!!

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