It usually means something is seriously wrong. Not all rabbits respond this way to an "attack" on the hindquarters, but if your rabbit does have a seizure,check for surface irritations. When our rabbit Velma had a seizure last year, I turned her over and found that "foxtails" had worked their way into the folds around her scent glands. Our rabbit Phoebe gave us this early warning years ago, in time to save her life. Rabbits are sensitive to surface irritations. But instead of being toxin related, these are caused by local nerve sensors on the surface of the body triggering a general or overall nerve reaction, resulting in a seizure. Warning signsSeizures: Some rabbits have "itchy skins" seizures. Once they have consumed external debris, they go right on to sound flesh (sometimes up the back where you don't see it), and once in the flesh, they produce toxins that create a state of shock. The chances are greater if the rabbit is outside, but it only takes one fly indoors to do the damage.What kind of damage? Maggots do not stop at the surface. If open sores are present, or if thick fur is dampened with urine or feces, flies will head toward these warm incubation areas to lay their eggs. They may have pasty stools or urinary problems that require frequent bathing-a problem in itself.Īttractive conditions:Moisture, warmth, and odor attract flies. Often the stricken rabbits are being exceptionally well cared for. And besides guilt, we feel anger-that something as worthy and dear to us as our rabbits can be taken down by something as loathsome as a fly.
We blame ourselves for lack of vigilance. Within a 24-hour period an otherwise stable rabbit can enter a terminal state of shock due to maggot infestation.Įvery fatality reported to us last year bore with it considerable human grief and guilt. Flies can strike a healthy animal who has temporary loose stools, butat particular risk are your aging, disabled, or overweight rabbits who are not able to clean themselves. As disgusting as the subject is, we cannot ignore this eminent warm-weather danger.
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