As I\'ve been research and I not seeing anything on vaccinations for rabbits? With my goats we vaccinate for entro, tetanus and pasturella. Knowing how very important it is to vacciante, I am a little disappointed to see that rabbits don\'t get vaccinated? Am I just not finding the right info on the web?
Also, with our goats, I have several meds. on hand. You never know what you\'ll need and when you\'ll need it. I\'m wondering what anti-biotics are used with rabbits? Is there any info out that would list rabbit diseases and treatments with doses?
I also have learned that rabbits, like goats have digestive tracks can easily be thrown out of kilter. Here with the goats we use a product called probios. This intoduces the friendly bacteria back into the gut at times of stress. I use this at times of shipment for shows, before and after kidding, and when I think an animal just may be acting off or is showing a slight loose stool. IT\'s a very useful product.
Does anyone here use this product with their rabbits? This is particular product is recommended for ruminants primarily, I\'m curious if this product could be used with bunnies? OR if there was a similiar product on the shelf?
Actually, Probios can be of benefit to rabbits. I have used it myself. There is a rabbit-specific product available at the Rabbit Medicine Chest. I also use
Systemajuv which is a product carried by them also. It is GREAT. I have a link to them on my Website:
http://www.zodiacsatins.com/Links.html
Currently, there are no routine vaccinations approved for rabbits in the United States. Part of the reason for this is the fact that outbreaks of diseases that might respond to such vaccinations are relatively rare. The cost-effectiveness of giving such vaccinations is not applicable to the majority of breeders. Another reason is the nature of the diseases themselves. For example, VHD (Viral Hemorrhagic Disease) is a horrible, almost always fatal disease that is prevalent in Europe and in Asia. Rabbits there are vaccinated because the wild populations are also susceptible and are carriers. There have been a few outbreaks here in the US, but when that occurs, all exposed rabbits are quarrantined and euthanized. Our wild rabbits are of a different genetic make-up and are not susceptible to the disease. Vaccination in diseases such as VHD have not proven effective in controlling the disease and have the great potential of creating carriers.
Rabbits do respond to varying degrees to the administration of antibiotics (Tetracycline, Penicillin, Baytril, etc.) when the condition calls for it, but the best treatment is prevention; i.e., following good management and feeding practices. I recommend a great book -
Rabbit Production by McNitt, Patton, Lukefahr, & Cheeke. You can get it on Amazon.com or any number of rabbit supply firms.
Good luck.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Thanks for the link, I will check that out.
Yes, prevention is an upmost key in animal breeding systems, however even in the best systems, I can imagine that illness will arise it\'s ugly head from time to time. Is there any books directly relating to rabbitry medicine?
With goats, chronically people jump into breeding not knowing what ketosis, milk fever, parasites, unbalanced systems, etc are. All of the sudden they are left will an ill animal without a knowledgable vet. in sight and are left to their own devises trying to figure out what to do.
I like to be prepared for the worst! It\'s better to learn what to look for and how to treat than it is to have a sick animal on your hands and not know what to do and what you are dealing with!
The book I mentioned in my previous post (
Rabbit Production) has a great deal of info regarding rabbit diseases. There is a small, 78 page book by Jack Messner -
Rabbit Disease, but I don\'t think it has as much info as
Rabbit Production. Just about all the rabbit books currently out have a chapter on rabbit diseases.
I appreciate that you are wanting to research and learn about rabbits BEFORE you get involved on a large scale. Many people don\'t, unfortunately, to their rabbits\' detriment.
Get all the info you can.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Okay. I will definately check that book out.
Yes, my son has a very strong base with our goats, but starting out with the rabbits on his own is a HUGE step. I am hoping that he can learn from what he knows about managing a goat farm and translate what he knows into the rabbits. He started out thinking, \"oh rabbits, they have to be easy to breed\", and I\'m telling him, \"NO, just like goats, rabbits are intricate animals of their own and I\'m sure that things can be just as complicated.\"
I\'ve always been an advicate of providing good care with knowledge of an animal regardless of cost and purpose. He will learn that too, and if I have anything to do with it, not the hard way!!
I believe the main reason there are no vaccinations for rabbits is money.testing is expensive and drug companies dont feel that they will get a big enough return on rabbits.join the American Rabbit breeders association.you get a great magazine and book that does describe diseases.it comes up if you put the name in the search engine.I keep Corid on hand and treat several times a year for coccidiosis.bluebird
Yes, we run into the same problem with goats. It\'s just recent that researchers and scientists are spending more money on goats.
I found a GREAT article on rabbits and health care listing most diseases, causes and treatments. I\'ll post it under a different thread, I was amazed at the info I found!!