A rabbit who is loved and cared for and who has an adequate rabbit hutch, a rabbit run to hop around in, access to plenty of clean fresh water and quality food should lead a healthy life without too many problems but listed below are some of the problems which may occur. 

Most of these problems can be a avoided if you care for your rabbit properly but listed below are a number of things that a new rabbit owner should look out for.
Teeth too long

Your rabbit’s front teeth will continue to grow throughout her life so that any wear is repaired throughout your rabbit’s life. This is because pet rabbits are often fed softer food that their wild cousins and often have little or no access to tree bark which helps to keep them down. In severe cases the front teeth grow so long that feeding becomes impossible and the long teeth will either slowly lever the jaws apart or the tooth will grow until it locks into the opposite jaw. 

To keep your rabbit’s front teeth in trim, feed it is better to leave them on the stem as this is tough enough to offer some resistance to her front teeth.  Any root vegetables are better fed whole to rabbits who are big enough to manage them. Place any block of wood in the rabbit hutch or the rabbit run and it will act as a good gnawing block but a newly cut log with the bark left on is far preferable if you can get hold of one.  There is no danger of your rabbit swallowing splinters because when she gnaws, her cheeks are drawn in and this forms a barrier.  

If your rabbit still suffers from teeth that are too long then a trip to your vet will soon put this right as he will file them down for you.
 
Claws too long

Your rabbits’ claws would wear down naturally in the wild as she would be burrowing regularly, but because your rabbit would be kept in a rabbit hutch, her claws may need clipping from time to time.

ideas-4-pets advise that you ask your vet or an experienced rabbit keeper to cut your rabbit’s claws the first time as it is easy to cut into the blood and nerve supply which is distressing for both your and your rabbit.  However, you may find that once you have seen this demonstrated you may want to have a go yourself using animal nail clippers which can be purchased from most pet shops.
 
Too fat

As with some humans, obesity is the result of poor food management. Rabbits that are kept in their rabbit hutches for long periods of time are most at risk. Rabbits need far more freedom to exercise than most owners realise and purchasing a rabbit run is a great idea as it provides the extra space for exercise but also ensures your rabbit is safe and secure.  Also, a good diet is essential and your vet should be able to help you choose a quality rabbit feed to keep your rabbit healthy.

Snuffly nose

Some rabbits suffer from the “snuffles” which is really called contagious rhinitis. It is a respiratory tract condition which is very like the common cold in humans. Unfortunately this is a highly infectious disease and the danger is that it could lead to pneumonia if left untreated.  Rabbits displaying the two most obvious symptoms of snuffles which are sneezing and a discharge from her nose, should be isolated well away from any other rabbits youo may have and you should seek help from your vet immediately.

Flesh wounds

Wounds are usually inflicted when two rabbits start fighting and if this happens to your rabbits, then you should separate the rabbits into two rabbit hutches or a double rabbit hutch and their wounds should be bathed with a mild antiseptic lotion. Obviously, any serious wounds should be looked at by your vet.
 
Ear Canker

Some rabbits can suffer from canker which is not always noticeable on the outside of the ear. If you notice that your rabbit is shaking her head constantly or scratching at her ears or if there are any signs of inflammation, you should make a preliminary examinion of her ear for canker and then take her to your vet for advise on treatment.
  
Fleas

Fleas can also cause a problem for your rabbit so if you see your rabbit displaying symptoms of discomfort and irritation which is making her scratch, she may be infested with fleas.  Fleas tend to cluster around the head, particularly the neck, where the dark spots of their excreta may be noticed.  Fleas can be destroyed by the application of an insecticide powder available from your vet or pet shop but when applying, make sure that none gets into your rabbit’s eyes.  

Fleas reproduce by laying eggs in your rabbit’s bedding or on the floor of the rabbit hutch.  It is therefore impossible to eradicate them without burning every last straw of the bedding and the floor litter and scrubbing out the rabbit hutch.  Any crack can harbour the flea eggs and after a few days the larvae will emerge and the life cycle begins again.

The rabbit flea has been idientified as a carrier of the virus that causes myxomatosis and although during an outbreak the great majority of tame rabbits are safe, veterinary advice should be taken about any that are felt to be at risk eg. if you have wild rabbits who visit your garden.

Lice

Infestation of lice can also be a problem but unlike fleas lice will lay their eggs in your rabbit’s fur.  The eggs are white and stick to the fur with a natural glue-like substance.  They show up particularly well on dark-coated rabbits but will be noticed on any fur during grooming. Lice can be destroyed by a specially prepared insecticide powder supplied by your vet but it is only effective when the maker’s instructions are followed exactly.  Several applications are usually necessary to eliminate succeeding generations of lice emerging from the eggs.

Mites & Ticks

Rabbits are also frequently troubled by several different mites.  The ear mite caor seen to be scratching at their ears and shaking their head need prompt treatment from your vet. Sometimes ticks will attach themselves to rabbits and feed on their blood.  Once the tick has had enough, it will drop off naturally but should not be pulled off whole while still alive.  This is because the head of the tick will remain firmly embedded in position and could then cause a severe infection.  The ticks can be killed by cutting off their air supply for about thirty minutes with a smear of vaseline and you can then pull them away cleanly using a pair of tweezers.

Eye problems

Domestic rabbits can be susceptible to eye problems caused by dust and/or other flying matter that accumulates in the your rabbit’s eye pockets or by draughts. Dust accumulaltion causes tears to stream down your rabbit’s cheeks.  What owner can bear to watch his rabbit crying?  Try and stop dust accumulating as a cure is never as easy as prevention. Thankfully only one eye is usually affected although some unfortunate rabbits can suffer an infection in both eyes.  Eye baths, prescribed by a vet, are frequently required to treat the infection.  
 
Sore hocks

Sore hocks is a condition normally caused by insufficient bedding in the rabbit hutch.  This is painful for your rabbit as tender, cracked and possibly scabbing skin covers the infected hind limb where the fur has been rubbed away.  Cleaning and applying an antiseptic ointment will help your rabbit to recover and seeing your vet is also recommended but again if you ensure that your rabbit has plenty of warm soft bedding in her rabbit hutch this should not happen.

As rabbits can rapidly go downhill after developing an illness it is essential that prompt attention is given to your rabbit if she appears to be suffering in any way.  ideas-4-pets always recommend that if your rabbit doesn’t respond to the treatments we suggest that you make an appointment with your local vet for expert help as soon as possible.