Rabbits make wonderful pets. They are fluffy and soft, respond well to handling, and can learn to use a litter box. There are even different breeds of rabbit! For example, some have straight ears, some have floppy ears, some are normal size, and some are dwarf sized. Rabbits can live for 5 - 10 years. Rabbits have very strong hind legs and sharp claws. They also have a very light skeleton. If you handle your bunny improperly, he may kick his legs so hard that he breaks his back! When you carry him, always support his rear end. If he struggles, put him down, until he is quiet.
If You Choose a Pet Rabbit
You should make sure that you are purchasing a healthy bunny. It is best to select a young bunny. He should have clear eyes and a nose free of any mucus. The bunny should be curious and friendly. Check to see the bunny has been spayed or neutered. Most are breeders and pet stores do not alter their pets. You will want to have your new friend spayed or neutered between 4 and 6 months age. An altered pet will reduce the risk of that famous bunny reproduction and will prevent certain health and behavioral problems. In the United States, bunnies do not typically require vaccines, but be sure to check with your veterinarian to confirm the protocol in your area. Bunnies do, however, require vaccines in the United Kingdom. They always need annual check ups and fecal tests for parasites.
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Bacterial Infections
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
There are many types of bacterial infections that can affect your horse. If you notice symptoms of any of the following common types of bacterial infections, contact us, so we can examine your horse and provide appropriate treatment options.
Anthrax is a bacterium that forms spores, which allows it to
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Aural (Ear) Conditions
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
If you’ve ever marveled at the responsiveness of your horse’s ears — the way they prick up for tiny sounds or flatten when it feels in danger — you realize how important these structures are for processing information and communication. Without good hearing, your horse will miss your vocal cues.
Horse
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Arthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Arthritis has several names — degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis — but, whatever you call it, your horse has stiff and painful joints. This common chronic condition often affects older horses, as the cartilage around their joints deteriorates, especially around their knees, coffins, fetlocks,
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Anhidrosis
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Horses with anhidrosis lack the ability to sweat. Sometimes, they start out capable of this normal bodily function, and then suddenly lose it. Horses of all breeds, ages, colors and genders are at risk. Also called drycoats or puffers, victims of anhidrosis are most often active horses who live in hot,
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Angular Limb Deformities
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Many young foals have crooked hind or front legs. Lax ligaments and weak muscles usually cause this discrepancy between legs, which is often self-correcting as the horse grows. However, this deviation makes the young horses more likely to crush the cuboidal bones during exercise. If this happens, once
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Abscesses and Cysts
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Cysts and abscesses can both form lumps on a horse’s body. However, they stem from different causes. Infections cause abscesses, which are full of pus that accumulates under the skin. Cysts are typically present from birth or form during a horse’s development. In some cases, a veterinarian will recommend
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Equine Movement Disorder
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Several conditions can affect how horses move. This includes ones that affect the spinal cord and nerves that run to the muscles as well as to the hooves.
Stringhalt
Stringhalt shows up in horses as a jump, jerk or hop in the one or both hindlimbs, with the legs tucked up high. Symptoms often start suddenly.
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Degenerative Problems
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Degenerative disorders are conditions that worsen over time. Some can be improved, or at least slowed, if caught early on. Here are a few common degenerative conditions that horses may face.
Myelopathy
Myelopathy is also called wobbler syndrome because of the affected horse’s unstable gait. This condition
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Dentistry
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Digestive and Oral Health
Dentistry for Horses
Like people, horses can develop dental problems. Also like people, some horses can be stoic in the face of major dental pain while a minor dental issue may compromise the performance of a more sensitive horse. This is why horses need regular exams to maximize their dental health.
Foals
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Deworming and Internal Parasites
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Pests and Parasites
Like any animal, horses are susceptible to a wide range of parasites. Of the approximately 150 species of internal equine parasites, some can cause serious harm while others are more of an annoyance.
Usually parasite eggs or larvae arrive on the ground from the manure of infected horses. Another horse
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Diagnostic Imaging
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Digestive and Oral Health
Diagnostic imaging allows veterinarians to see inside a horse’s body without the need for surgery. X-rays are probably the best-known type of diagnostic imaging, but many others are available to help diagnose illnesses and other health problems in horses.
Each type of diagnostic imaging has its own
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Digestive Health
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Digestive and Oral Health
A horse’s digestive system begins with the mouth, ends with the anus and incorporates all the organs in between that are involved in consuming and processing food. Its purpose is fourfold: to digest food, absorb nutrients, move food through the digestive tract and eliminate waste products in the form
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Equine Motor Neuron Disease
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
This relatively new disease was first diagnosed in 1990 in the state of New York. It’s still a rare condition and mostly confined to the United States.
Symptoms
Horse owners might first notice that their horse is eating plenty, but still managing to lose a lot of weight. He might have a short gait,
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Viral Infectious Diseases
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Infectious diseases are those that one horse passes to another, or that mosquitoes or other vectors transmit. Some are more common than others. Treatments and prognoses vary, but your veterinarian can help by recommending appropriate vaccinations. Here are some of the more common viral diseases.
Equine
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Venereal Disease
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Venereal diseases, also known as sexually-transmitted infections or diseases, are infections that can be passed during sexual contact. In horses, the two most common ones include:
Equine viral arteritis
Contagious equine metritis
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
Equine viral arteritis is a contagious sexually-transmitted
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Uveitis (Moon Blindness)
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Equine recurrent uveitis (also known as Moon Blindness or periodic ophthalmia) is one of the most common diseases that affect the eyes of adult horses. It is also the most common cause of blindness in horses, which makes prompt diagnosis and treatment of this condition essential.
Causes of Equine Recurrent
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