Rabbits are adorable, intelligent pets that require proper care and attention. If you’re a rabbit owner or know of one and are planning to go on holiday soon, then finding the right holiday sitter is crucial. In this article prepared by our Head Nurse Nicola, we go over essential tips to find the perfect holiday sitter for your rabbit.
Share this advice with your friends by using the share button on this article. If you need further guidance, Edgewood Vets’ nursing team will be happy to help.
Finding the right rabbit sitter
Ask for recommendations
Start by asking for recommendations from other rabbit owners, friends, or family members who have had experience with rabbit sitters. You can also check with local rabbit rescue organisations, as they may have a list of reputable pet sitters. Our team at Edgewood Vets know of several local pet sitters who have helped pets in the Essex area so don’t hesitate to contact us.
Look for a pet sitter with rabbit experience
When searching for a holiday sitter for your rabbit, look for someone who has experience with rabbits. Rabbits have unique needs and require specialist care, so it’s essential to find a pet sitter who has experience handling them. This will ensure that your rabbit receives the proper care and attention they need while you’re away.
Meet the sitter in person
Before hiring a pet sitter, Nicola believes that it’s essential to meet them in person to discuss your rabbit’s care needs and ensure that they’re a good fit. This will also give you a chance to observe how they interact with your rabbit and address any concerns you may have.
Ask for references
Ask the pet sitter for references from previous clients in Essex. This will give you an idea of their experience and the quality of care they provide. Be sure to follow up with these references and ask about their experience with the sitter.
Consider the cost
The cost of pet sitting can vary depending on location, experience, and the services provided. Consider your budget when choosing a holiday sitter for your rabbit. However, keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always better. You want to ensure that your rabbit is receiving proper care and attention, even if it means paying a little more.
Check for insurance
Ensure that the pet sitter you choose is insured. This will protect you in the event of any accidents or damages that may occur whilst your pet is under their care.
In conclusion, finding the right holiday sitter for your rabbit requires careful consideration and research. With these tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect sitter for your beloved pet and enjoy your holiday worry-free. Contact our nursing team if you have any further questions on choosing the perfect rabbit sitter in Essex.
Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, otherwise known as ‘small furries’ are common pets in many UK homes. These cute little creatures can be bundles of fun and soon become a loved part of the family, but did you know that your small furry can suffer from anxiety just like a dog or cat? The signs may not always be obvious, but as a responsible pet owner it helps to know what to look out for.
This month includes Pet Anxiety Week so the nursing team at Edgewood Vets in Essex want to give you the lowdown on how signs of anxiety present in small furries and the best course of action to take if you notice them.
Tell-tale signs of anxiety in small furries
The most common signs of anxiety appear in similar ways across most types of small furry pet, including guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and rabbits, and tend to be behavioural or body language changes. According to Edgewood Vets’ Head Nurse Nicola, these include:
- Repetitive behaviour such as circling
- Biting at the cage bars
- Overgrooming
- Baring teeth and excessive vocalisation
- Sitting hunched
- Biting owners when being handled – not all small furries like to be picked up
- Looking nervous/tense/jumpy with bulging eyes (guinea pigs and rabbits)
- Frequent yawning and tossing of head (guinea pigs)
- Freezing/not moving/shaking/vibrating (guinea pigs and rabbits)
- Aggression and irritation towards other rabbits or guinea pigs
- Thumping their feet (rabbits)
The following signs below can also indicate anxiety but can in some cases also be caused by a medical problem. If you notice these signs, we advise you to call us to make an appointment at our Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6QR practice on 01621 828381 to get your pet checked. These are:
- Spending more time sleeping and/or hiding
- Hair loss and bald patches
- Changes in eating/drinking habits including loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Contact us if you spot these signs
What to do if you spot signs of anxiety
1. Update their living space
In many cases you can help your small furry feel less anxious by making some environmental changes to their living space. Our Purleigh vet nurses recommend that you ensure your pet has enough space to explore and move around freely, plenty of layers, levels and toys to investigate, and opportunities to express their natural behaviours like nest making for example, so they have somewhere safe to hide.
2. Keep larger pets away
Small furries are prey animals, so it is important you keep them out of sight and reach of other larger pets you may have at home such as cats and dogs, as this can make them fearful and anxious.
3. Gentle handling
Handling your hamster or guinea pig or rabbit is an important part of bonding with your pet, and although most don’t mind being picked up, constant or rough handling may be detrimental to their wellbeing so it is important to bear this in mind. Our nurses will be happy to show you how to handle your pet correctly, a skill which can be especially helpful for children – get in touch if you’d like help with this.
4. Get them a companion
Loneliness can induce sadness and anxiety in sociable animals like rabbits and guinea pigs who naturally form groups, so it is not recommended that these species are housed alone. However, in some social groups another rabbit or guinea pig can become aggressive and bully another, so it is important to find a suitable companion, have them neutered if recommended, and introduce them slowly. Hamsters on the other hand tend to prefer to live on their own (depending on the breed) so they may not cope well with a cage mate. Nicola advises that you should research your type of hamster and provide more stimuli in their cage.
If you have tried to reduce stress by making changes such as enriching your small furry pet’s environment or finding them a companion, and they are still showing any of the signs listed above, please get in touch for more advice as your pet may need a health check.
A common question we get asked is, “Does my rabbit have hay fever?”. Our Head Vet Jürgen Theinert is here to explain hay-related and other allergies in rabbits…
Rabbits can be susceptible to certain types of environmental and food allergens, which can cause symptoms such as red and watery eyes, sneezing, and nasal discharge. These allergens can include food (certain ingredients in pellet food may also cause reactions), cleaning products, strong odours, smoke, mites, and fleas.
Jürgen advises Essex owners that it is crucial to be aware of the early signs of an allergic reaction in your rabbit and bring them to see our team for an allergy check. Prolonged exposure to allergens can result in serious complications such as respiratory infections in rabbits like chronic rhinitis and bronchitis.
Hay fever and rabbits
Hay can also be a potential allergen, although, most likely due to the dust it may contain.
Jürgen describes some of the signs that a rabbit may be allergic to hay dust as:
- Sneezing or nasal discharge: If your rabbit is sneezing frequently or has a runny nose, it may be due to an allergic reaction to hay dust.
- Itchy or irritated eyes: Rabbits with hay dust allergies may develop red, irritated eyes or have excessive tearing.
- Runny stool: Hay dust allergies can also cause diarrhoea or softer-then-normal stools in rabbits.
- Respiratory problems: Hay dust allergies may also cause respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
- Skin irritation: Rabbits may develop itchy skin, especially around their face, ears, and paws.
- Loss of appetite: Some rabbits may lose their appetite if they’re experiencing allergic symptoms. This is an emergency situation that requires urgent veterinary care. Call us on 01621 828381.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other factors such as respiratory infections, dental problems, or gastrointestinal issues. Jürgen advises getting your rabbit seen by one of our vets for a proper diagnosis. They can run some tests and recommend the best course of action, which may include switching to a dust-free hay or switching to hay from a different source of fibrous rabbit food.
As Spring approaches, rabbits in Purleigh and other areas across Essex, like Purleigh, Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch, are all at greater risk of contracting often fatal diseases. Our head vet, Jürgen says that it is vital that every domestic rabbit’s jabs are kept up to date annually. So, if you know your rabbit’s jabs are not up to date or if you are unsure of their vaccination status, then please call us and we’ll book your pet in for a vaccination.
Jürgen is keen to remind all rabbit owners that vaccinations are the only viable protection for your rabbits against killers like Myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD).
How are Myxomatosis and RVHD contracted?
Domestic pets do not need to be in contact with wild rabbits to catch Myxomatosis or RVHD. Myxomatosis is passed through fleas, mosquitos, midges, and mites, whilst RVHD can be carried in feed, on bedding, by wild birds and insects, and on the shoes of rabbit owners who have been walking in an infected area. Both diseases spread quickly once in a population of rabbits.
What are the symptoms of Myxomatosis and RVHD?
Symptoms of Myxomatosis include nasal and eye discharge, eye inflammation leading to blindness, swelling, redness/ulcers, problems breathing, appetite loss, and lethargy. Symptoms of VHD-1 include respiratory distress, fever, appetite loss, lethargy, convulsions, paralysis, and bleeding from the nose before death. If you see any of these symptoms, you should call us immediately.
How can we treat Myxomatosis and RVHD?
Both diseases are practically un-treatable, and both are almost always fatal, sometimes within hours. Combine this with the fact that they are also very easily transmitted (even to indoor pets) and you’ll realise why it’s so important that your pet is protected with an annual vaccination. Rabbits can be vaccinated from the age of five weeks.
Help prevent the spread of these diseases
Jürgen advises that as well as vaccination, there are a few other ways to reduce the chances of infection:
Always wash your hands before & after handling rabbits.
Do your best to protect them from biting insects by putting mosquito netting around the hutch.
If you allow your rabbits to exercise outside, avoid letting them out in the early morning or late afternoon when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
Finally, talk to our team about flea prevention for your rabbit.
But most of all, if you know your rabbit’s jabs are not up to date, please …
As a small animal, it’s important that your guinea pig gets the right balance of nutrients to stay in good condition. According to Edgewood Vets’ head nurse, their ideal diet should be high in fibre, low in fat, and include a variety of hay, fresh vegetables and fruits, plus a small quantity of fortified pellets.
To help you remember those basics, we have created a handy sheet for you to download and keep.
What’s in the ideal Guinea pig diet?
A guinea pig’s diet is a big part of keeping them healthy and happy – our nursing team say it’s important to always think Hay & Vegetables…
Hay is the most important part of a guinea pig’s diet, as it provides the bulk of their nutritional needs. It should make up around 80-85% of their diet and should be fresh and of good quality. Hay also helps to keep their teeth in good condition, as well as providing much-needed fibre. Timothy Hay is one of the most popular types of hay for guinea pigs, as it is high in fibre and low in calcium. You should be able to get Timothy Hay from most pet shops in Essex or from some online retailers.
Fresh vegetables and fruits should make up the other 15-20% of a guinea pig’s diet. These should be given in small amounts daily and should be washed and chopped into small pieces. Popular vegetables and fruits include carrots, bell peppers, kale, apples, and strawberries. Not all fruits and vegetables are safe for guinea pigs though so our Purleigh veterinary nurses recommend that you should search online before giving your pet something new.
Can I feed my guinea pig pellets?
In a word, yes! A small amount of high-quality fortified pellets can be given. These should make up no more than 10% of their total diet and must be free from artificial colours and flavours. Do not ever feed your guinea pigs rabbit pellets; this is dangerous and will make them ill.
What about hydration?
Just like all pets, hydration is a key part of a guinea pig’s overall health and wellbeing. If you asked our Purleigh nurses, they’d tell you that while water bottles are generally considered the most effective way to provide clean, fresh water to guinea pigs, water bowls can also be a suitable option for certain situations. For example, if your guinea pig is elderly, injured, or simply refuses to use a water bottle, a water bowl may be a safer and more convenient choice. It is important to regularly clean and refill the bottle or bowl to ensure that your guinea pig always has access to clean water. Additionally, it is a good idea to observe your guinea pig’s drinking habits to ensure they are adequately hydrated and to make any necessary adjustments to their watering system.
In summary
The ideal diet for a guinea pig should be high in fibre, low in fat, and should include hay, fresh vegetables and fruits, and a small quantity of fortified pellets – and remember to make sure they’re hydrating! Download our Menu to keep as a reminder and your guinea pig will have a good nutritional foundation to help them stay healthy and happy for years to come.
If you would like any more advice on guinea pig nutrition and health, give our Purleigh team a call on 01621 828381.
When talking all things grooming, people tend to focus on dogs, then cats, and don’t really think about the requirements of smaller pets like rabbits. The team at Edgewood Veterinary Group have collated some helpful advice for Essex pet owners in on why rabbits need grooming and how to do it safely.
If, after reading our article, you would like any further advice on rabbit care, please do contact us.
Contact us for rabbit care advice
Rabbit grooming tips from Edgewood Vets
1. Why rabbits need regular grooming
Moulting
According to the vets at our Chelmsford Road surgery, rabbits moult heavily, usually around every three months. While they’re big on grooming themselves, you can help yours when it comes to getting rid of that excess fur. When rabbits are moulting, they can ingest fur. This can be dangerous because, unlike cats, rabbits can’t regurgitate a hairball, so the fur stays in their system and can cause intestinal problems.
General health
Grooming also helps to support their overall health, promoting wellbeing, good circulation, and skin health.
Checking for problems
Our head vet Jürgen Theinert, recommends that while you’re grooming your rabbit you should check them over for potential problems. Pay attention to their eyes and ears, as well as around their bottom, where if faeces get clogged in the fur or urine isn’t cleaned off, flystrike could occur.
You can check their feet and the length of their claws too, and generally keep a close eye on your rabbit’s overall health. Look out for lumps, bumps, overgrown teeth, and anything else that shouldn’t be there.
If you spot anything you are concerned about, call us on 01621 828381 as soon as possible.
Bonding and relaxation time
Grooming is a great way for you and your rabbit to get to know each other better, so the time spent together is beneficial to both of you. Grooming any pet can also be relaxing and calming – for you both!
2. What should be in your grooming kit
It is important that you have the right tools for the job and know what you’re doing, so Jürgen has made some recommendations for rabbit owners below.
- Be careful with the type of brush you use as a rabbit’s skin is quite delicate and can damage relatively easily.
- Choose a soft brush for general grooming.
- A rubber brush is handy for removing excess fur in moulting season and can also help to improve skin circulation and promote the production of natural skin oils.
If you come across any tricky matts they may need cutting out. If you feel nervous about getting too close to your pet’s skin, it’s best to bring your rabbit to Edgewood Vets where we can take care of that for you.
We hope you found the above advice helpful from Jürgen and the rest of our team. If you have any concerns about your rabbit’s health or want any further advice on grooming or any other rabbit-related issues, we’re here to help.
As we enter the next year, we think about what our goals and challenges are going to be to help refocus ourselves. Many of us set goals of exercising more or trying something new. Our pets are also often a part of that focus for looking ahead and thinking of how we want to build our relationships with them as we go forward.
Our Purleigh nursing team have come up with some ideas for how to strengthen your bond with and enrich the lives of your rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small furry pets in 2023.
Book a small furry pet check-up
Setting goals
Setting goals for our relationship with our pets can come in all sorts of different ways and our small furry friends are equally apart of that goal setting. Goals help to organise our thoughts and think of ways we want to improve.
Our Purleigh nursing team recommend that using this opportunity at the beginning of a new year to help improve our pets’ lives is a great way to identify where we can make improvements and then implement them.
A few suggested goals may be:
- To change enrichment more regularly to help with mental stimulation
- To expose them to new activities or games
- To get into a routine for giving them regular health checks or grooming sessions
- To build or buy a new living area or expand on their current one
Goals don’t need to be expensive or take masses of time but just consider what little improvements we can make to help our small furry friends have a more enjoyable life.
As the weather in Essex starts to change, our pets’ needs also change with the season. Depending on the type of small furry pet you have, their needs will often be different. For some it may mean preparing them for hibernation, changing their food intake, giving them different types of bedding, or even adapting lighting or heating systems for winter.
Rabbits are no different and will require different levels of adaptation to ensure they are kept safe and healthy during the winter months; side note, rabbits DO NOT hibernate.
So, before the weather outside gets frightening… read Edgewood Vets’ advice on how to prepare your pets for a cold winter in Essex.
If you have any concerns about your rabbits’ health right now,
Preparation suggestions for winter
Vet Jürgen Theinert lists some top tips below for protecting your rabbits this winter. Use Jürgen’s tips as a checklist to ensure you have everything covered:
- Consider bringing your rabbits’ enclosure indoors for a period of time – they may be covered in fur but will still feel the harsh cold temperatures.
- Ensure their accommodation is suitably insulated – you could wrap the sides in a blanket or duvet when it gets too cold.
- Bedding types may need to be changed to suit the colder weather, and you should add extra bedding for your rabbits to burrow into.
- Insulate water feeders to protect them from freezing. Check them regularly to ensure your rabbits always have access to water. If they are freezing up indoors, it’s too cold in your house.
- Weight-check your rabbits to ensure they do not gain too much weight over winter as this can be detrimental to their health and affect their ability to groom/clean themselves.
- If you notice your rabbits’ weight increasing, review the amounts and types of food you are giving them to reflect the extra calories.
- Ensure any outside run is safe and usable during winter months or create an indoor run to ensure they still have exercise space.
- Get your rabbits’ health checked with one of our Purleigh vets to ensure your pets are fit and healthy going into winter.
By regularly checking over your rabbit at home too, especially before we go into the coldest period, you can monitor them for changes. This will help to ensure they remain healthy and comfortable, especially as winter can be very unpredictable. Jürgen has another checklist for you below, for you to do at home.
Winter care for seniors, babies, and unwell rabbits
If you have senior or geriatric rabbits, it will be more important than ever to move them indoors and keep them warm this winter to avoid them becoming uncomfortable and unwell. Most older rabbits suffer with pain and stiffness, usually some level of arthritis, and the cold can really exacerbate their symptoms. If you notice your rabbits are struggling to get around like they used to, are less keen to jump about, or are struggling to groom themselves, call us on 01621 828381 for advice as soon as possible.
The same goes for very young or unwell pets – these can struggle in cold temperatures and be susceptible to illnesses. If your rabbits are shivering, or sleeping more, chances are they are too cold.
8-point rabbit checklist
According to Jürgen, this is what good health in a rabbit looks (and smells) like:
- Nose: clean, clear, and subtly moist.
- Eyes: bright and clear; no discharge or redness around the eyes.
- Mouth: healthy looking teeth with no breakages or sharp points.
- Ears: clean and clear with no discharge, swelling, nasty smells, or constantly scratching.
- Coat/skin: shiny healthy coat with no dandruff, parasites, bald patches, lumps, or bumps. Well-groomed with no faeces stuck to their coat or urine patches.
- Weight: healthy lean weight.
- Faeces: soft caecotrophs that will be eaten off the bottom or the hutch floor, and harder, second-pass poo pellets. A reduction or change to either is cause for concern.
- Appetite: grazing most of the day; going more than 7 hours without food could make them very ill, very quickly.
If you spot any changes in your rabbit that you are concerned about, it is best to get them checked by Jürgen, or any of the vets at our Chelmsford Road surgery, to be on the safe side.
Trigger Warning – This article contains subject matter that some readers might find upsetting.
As Pet Cancer Awareness Month is in November, the vets at our Purleigh surgery are sharing their knowledge on the subject of uterine tumours in rabbits. Our aim is to help pet owners make an informed decision about their rabbit’s reproductive care.
If you have any concerns about your rabbit’s health, get in touch with our Chelmsford Road team by calling 01621 828381.
About uterine tumours in rabbits
Uterine tumours (cancer of the womb) are said to be the single most common cancer affecting rabbits, even though only females can get this disease. It is extremely aggressive and quickly spreads to the lungs and other organs in the abdomen.
The reason that female rabbits are prone to cancer of the womb is due to their overactive reproductive tract. Regardless of whether they are bred from or not, female rabbits have the ability to breed exceptionally fast. As they age, this causes the uterine wall to undergo metaplasia (cells change form) and then neoplasia – which is the formation of tumours.
Rabbits at risk
All unneutered does (female rabbits) are at risk of developing uterine tumours. It is expected that around 40% of unneutered does will develop tumours by two years old; this number doubles by six years old regardless of whether the rabbit has been bred from. The only preventative treatment for cancer of the womb is neutering as this removes the uterus and therefore the possibility of this disease developing.
Rabbit neutering also helps to prevent unplanned pregnancies; you can book a rabbit neutering appointment at Edgewood Vets by calling 01621 828381.
Signs of illness to watch out for
- Blood in the urine
- Bloody discharge
- Weight loss
- A swelling in the abdominal area
The above are all signs that there could be a uterine tumour present. If the cancer has spread to the lungs, you may notice coughing or breathing difficulties.
Some of the above symptoms could also be due to other health issues so it is always best to see a vet. You can book a rabbit health check at our Chelmsford Road vet practice by calling 01621 828381.
How we diagnose and treat cancer of the womb
Depending on the symptoms your rabbit is displaying, they are likely to need an ultrasound scan or an x-ray. An ultrasound may be able to show an abnormal growth in/on the uterus and then exploratory surgery can confirm if it is a tumour. An x-ray may be able to show secondary tumours in the lungs if they are large enough.
Treatment for uterine tumours in rabbits involves the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries for the best chance of recovery. However, if the cancer has spread, sadly the outcome is unlikely to be positive.
At Edgewood Vets, our vets will talk you through the best option for your rabbit’s ongoing care and can schedule any necessary exploratory scans or procedures.
If you are concerned about your rabbit’s health, book an appointment with any of our highly experienced vets as soon as possible by calling 01621 828381.
Just like many animals, rabbits are notorious for being able to hide pain and illness very well. Many symptoms of pain or illness are difficult to spot as rabbit owners, but there are a few common signs you can look out for to monitor any changes in their health.
With September being Animal Pain Awareness Month, the team at Edgewood Veterinary Group have some advice for rabbit owners on how to spot common rabbit health concerns at home in between annual and 6-monthly vet checks.
If you have any concerns about your rabbit’s health right now, call us for advice on 01621 828381.
9 common signs of aches and pains in your rabbit
Vet Jürgen Theinert at our Purleigh practice lists common signs that may show your rabbit is in pain below:
- Sudden changes in appetite, may refuse to eat
- Teeth grinding
- Depression and lack of interest
- Reduced faecal matter
- Increase in Caecotrophs present (Dark sticky poops)
- Respiratory changes
- Behaviour changes
- Discharge from eyes
- Head tilt
These symptoms could be due to a variety of issues. For example, your rabbit may have chronic joint pain, tummy pain, dental pain, or many other diseases or injuries.
Jürgen explains that you should not overlook any symptoms whatever age your pet is, especially as rabbits can become poorly very quickly when they stop eating. This is because rabbits must continuously graze to help keep their gut healthy. If pain reduces their appetite this will affect their gut health and cause them to become more unwell.
By regularly checking over your rabbit at home, you can help monitor for changes but also learn what is normal for them. Jürgen advises performing this short Rabbit Checklist below regularly at home to spot any irregularities:
6-point Rabbit Checklist
- Nose – clean, clear, and subtly moist.
- Eyes – bright and clear; no discharge or redness around the eyes.
- Mouth – healthy looking teeth with no breakages, overgrowth, or sharp spurs.
- Ears – clean and clear with no discharge, swelling, nasty smells, or constantly scratching.
- Coat/skin – shiny healthy coat with no dandruff, parasites, bald patches, lumps, or bumps. Well-groomed with no faeces stuck to their coat or wet patches from urine.
- Weight – healthy lean weight.
If you spot any changes on your rabbit that you are concerned about, it is best to get them checked by Jürgen or any of the Vets at our Chelmsford Road surgery. The chances are it is something simple, but it is better to get it looked at and get your rabbit the treatment they need.
