What to Do If a Rabbit Has a Cold? A Detailed Guide to Practical Prevention and Treatment Measures

Causes A sudden drop in temperature, or a cold, damp rabbit hutch, can easily trigger a cold in rabbits.

Clinical symptoms The affected rabbit has a mild cough, sneezes, has a runny nose with clear or thick nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, listlessness, reduced appetite and a rise in body temperature. If not cared for properly, it can easily develop secondary pneumonia or haemorrhagic septicaemia.

Preventive measures Keep the indoor area clean and hygienic. When the temperature changes, close the doors and windows to keep the warmth in. If there is strong wind and a drop in temperature, light a fire in the rearing room promptly to keep the temperature stable and prevent it from fluctuating up and down,

Treatment methods For a simple cold, have the affected rabbit take aspirin tablets orally, 1 tablet per day, divided into 2 doses, for 3 consecutive days. It can also be given metamizole sodium tablets orally, 1/2 tablet each time, 2 times per day, for 2 to 3 consecutive days, along with naphazoline nasal drops. Alternatively, take 2 to 4 ml of compound aminopyrine injection and penicillin at 200,000 international units per rabbit per dose, mix them and give an intramuscular injection, 2 times per day, for 2 consecutive days, to control the development of inflammation. Bupleurum injection can also be given by intramuscular injection, 2 ml per day, 2 times per day, for 2 consecutive days.