Rabbits

We are experienced rabbit vets. More and more people are keeping rabbits, and many have them as house pets, being far more integrated in the household than ever before. The Rabbit Welfare Association provides excellent information on all aspects of rabbit ownership - from medical matters, to toilet training. Please use the link on the page to access their extensive reference site. A few points are so important that we want to emphasise them here:

Neutering
Neutering is vital for does and useful in males (see RWA link opposite and also our own spaying and neutering page)

Vaccination
All rabbits over 10 weeks of age are at risk of Viral Haemorrhagic diarrhoea, a fatal virus carried in on food from wild bird contamination - please come in to get your bunny vaccinated against VHD. Also, if your bunny has access to the garden in the summer, and there may be even near contact with wild rabbits then he/she should be vaccinated for myxomatosis – this is done not less than 30 days after the essential VHD vaccine.

New Worming Advice – VERY IMPORTANT
We now recommend regular worming for all pet rabbits. The rabbit brain parasite E. cuniculi can cause significant disease in pet bunnies, and is very widespread (studies show 50% of UK rabbits have been exposed). Very importantly, it is now clear that for anyone who may be ill and/or immunosuppressed eg. On chemotherapy, the parasite is capable of causing severe human illness as well. Please call in to the clinic to collect this simple inexpensive wormer.

Feeding
Many rabbits are fad-eaters, and will select certain feedstuffs, leaving others, this can result in severe dietary imbalances, and can cause osteoporosis and paralysis. We recommend all rabbits have access to long fibre (good quality hay is ideal) every day. We prefer rabbits are fed on an extruded diet than a flaked meal diet - this prevents selective feeding - we sell an excellent extruded diet suitable for both rabbits and guinea pigs, called Excel. Excel Rabbit Food

For many, many people now, rabbits are an important member of the family. We understand this, and can offer the latest treatments, to a high standard. We neuter rabbits almost daily, and attend many sick bunnies every week. If you are worried about your bunny please call us - we have the experience to deal with your problem.