List of Rabbit Diseases

Rabbits make for great pets and can live up to eight to 12 years. Before bringing a rabbit into your home, it is important to know the most common rabbit diseases. Proper health care, cleaning, and regular visits to the veterinarian will help you prevent or provide early detection for most diseases.

  1. Sore Hocks

    • One of the most common illnesses afflicting rabbits is sore hocks. The hocks of your rabbit are on the bottom of its back feet. If your rabbit does not have thick fur, time will cause the skin to be exposed and it will develop open sores on its hocks. This is especially common in heavy rabbits who are unable to support their weight on their delicate feet. Antibiotic treatment is often the best remedy. Consult your veterinarian for a prescription.

    Eye Disease

    • According to MediRabbit, eye diseases can afflict rabbits for various reasons, such as having a foreign body in the eye, excessive rubbing or fighting, and viral or bacterial infections. A rabbit's eyes will become watery, sight will become difficult, and it may even contract a disease like glaucoma. Eye drops are the most common treatment for eye disease in rabbits.

    Snuffles

    • Almost every rabbit will experience the snuffles at least once in its life. Rabbits with the snuffles sneeze often and have a discharge coming out of their noses. Your veterinarian can administer a shot to treat the snuffles.

    Ear Problems

    • Rabbits often have ear mites or ear cankers due to their large, floppy ears. Ear mites are identified by brown or yellow coloration and buildup in the ear. If your rabbit begins shaking its head excessively, this may be a sign of ear mites. Ear cankers are similar and refer to a parasitic agent in the rabbit's ear. Antibiotics are the only way to treat ear mites and ear cankers.

    Malocclusion

    • Malocclusion is a very common disease that is present from birth. This disease is hereditary and causes the curling of a rabbit's teeth due to excessive length, which makes eating difficult. A simple solution for malocclusion is to have your veterinarian clip the rabbit's teeth.