First Aid For Pet Rabbits

Every responsible rabbit owner should be ready for their rabbit to have a medical emergency. Of course, if your rabbit is having an emergency taking him to the veterinarian is the first order of business. However it is also wise to have a first aid kit designed specially for rabbits on hand and to understand the basics of being a first responder to a rabbit medical emergency.

A good first aid kit for a rabbit will have a thermometer that you can use to check your rabbit's temperature. Remember, the average temperature for a rabbit is 101-103 degrees Fahrenheit. The first aid kit should also include a heating pad or water bottles that you can heat up in the case of shock from hypothermia. Use caution when applying heating pads or hot water bottles; never apply them directly to the rabbit's skin as they can cause burns. Put a buffer such as a towel or blanket in between the heat source and your rabbit.

The first aid kit should also include rubbing alcohol, triple antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide and gauze or bandages in case your rabbit sustains a laceration or some other sort of trauma where bleeding is incurred. When dealing with an open wound, first be sure that you have sanitized your own hands. For a severe cut or laceration, you should wrap the gauze around the bleeding wound with some pressure applied to stem the flow of blood. Keep the gauze on the bleeding wound even if it becomes blood-soaked. If you remove the bandaging you will also remove the blood clot that is forming to prevent further blood loss. Refrain from using tourniquets as they can cause permanent damage to the rabbit. Get your rabbit to a vet as quickly as possible.

For minor cuts and scratches, again make sure your hands are clean and apply hydrogen peroxide to the affected area to disinfect the wound. Remove dirt and other debris that can cause infections, and then apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment. If an infection develops, take your bun to the vet immediately.

If your rabbit has stopped breathing or moving, or you notice an infection, there is little you can do in the way of first-aid and the best course of action is to get your bunny to a veterinarian immediately.