Love’s Story: The Importance of Rabbit Care

Love's Story: The Importance of Rabbit Care

Meet Love, a 4-year-old Netherland Dwarf rabbit who came to see us after feeling a little “off” for some time.

Rabbits are experts at hiding signs of illness, which can make it difficult for owners to spot when something isn't quite right. Changes in eating habits, behaviour or grooming can sometimes be the first indication that a rabbit is experiencing pain or discomfort. Love was initially presented as a fussy eater and was also overgrooming, prompting us to investigate further.

On examination, Love's teeth were found to be a little too long, so she underwent an anaesthetic and dental procedure to trim them back. Dental problems are relatively common in rabbits, as their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. Regular dental checks are therefore an important part of keeping your rabbit happy, comfortable and healthy.

We hoped Love's dental treatment would be enough to get her appetite back on track, but sadly, she still wasn't quite herself afterwards. As she wasn't improving as expected, we became concerned that there could be something else going on.

Love returned to us for further investigations, including a sedated ultrasound scan and blood tests. These tests allowed us to look beyond her initial symptoms and investigate what might be causing her ongoing problems.

The ultrasound revealed that one of Love's kidneys was abnormal, with a dilated ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). Thankfully, her blood results showed that her overall kidney function was reassuring, suggesting that her other kidney was functioning well enough to compensate.

After carefully discussing the findings and available options, the decision was made to proceed with surgery to assess the affected kidney and treat the problem as appropriately as possible.

During surgery, we discovered that Love's right kidney was severely distended and filled with urine that was unable to drain due to an obstruction in her ureter. Unfortunately, the damage meant that the best option was to remove the affected kidney and ureter.

Following successful surgery and a lengthy recovery period, we are delighted to share that Love is doing wonderfully!

She will continue to be closely monitored to ensure her remaining kidney is functioning well, but we are thrilled with her progress. She is now back to doing what rabbits do best: being happy, comfortable and thoroughly spoilt!

The importance of rabbit and exotic pet care

Love's journey is a great reminder of how important it is to seek veterinary advice if you notice changes in your rabbit's usual behaviour. Eating less, becoming fussy with food, changes in droppings, overgrooming, hiding more than usual or seeming quieter can all be signs that something isn't right.

Rabbits can deteriorate quickly when they are unwell, particularly if they stop eating, so it is important not to wait and see if symptoms improve. If your rabbit stops eating or producing droppings, please contact your veterinary practice promptly for advice.

We understand that rabbits and other exotic pets have very different needs from cats and dogs. From dental problems and dietary advice to investigating more complex conditions, appropriate veterinary care can make a real difference to their wellbeing.

Do you have a rabbit or exotic pet?

Our team is here to help! If you have concerns about your pet's health, would like advice on their care, or think they may benefit from a check-up, please get in touch with us to arrange an appointment. Even small changes can be worth investigating, and we are always happy to discuss any concerns you may have.

We are incredibly proud of Love and her recovery, and we would like to thank her owners for working with us throughout her treatment.

Well done, Love! We are so pleased to see you feeling better!

If you are concerned about your rabbit or wish to speak to our team for advice - call us.