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No matter how well cared for your bunny is, there will be times when your rabbit gets ill. Rabbit illnesses can range from very minor such as ear mites (easily curable with the right treatment) to downright serious such as heat stroke. A properly stock bunny first aid kit will ensure you are well prepared to deal with those minor illnesses / injuries.
To store your kit, you can buy a 'human' first aid box but what I find just as good (actually I use these for sewing kits, kids craft kits etc as well) is a fishing tackle box or something similar which you can get cheaply at your local hardware store. Even a large lunchbox or Tupperware container with a lid would work too.
Here's what we recommend as the basics:
- Thermometer (not glass) and lubricant. Normal rectal temperature range is around 101-103 degrees Fahrenheit (37-39 degrees Celsius)
- Stethoscope for listening to your bun's heart and chest. Normal heart beat range is around 130-325 beats per minute with approx 220 as average.
- Cotton swabs and cotton balls
- Saline eye wash (to rinse foreign bodies from eyes)
- Gauze bandages and sterile cotton pads for dressing wounds
- Styptic powder or cornstarch (cornflour) for stopping nails from bleeding
- Betadine for cleaning and disinfecting wounds
- A towel or small blanket for steadying your bunny if you need to hold him. Egypt for stopping blood flow.
- Plastic syringes (without the needles) for administering medicine or feeding your sick rabbit.
- Small amount of mineral based oil like olive or cooking oil for killing ear mites
- Small jars of baby food eg: pureed pumpkin for rabbits that are not feeding properly. Use the plastic syringes to feed your bun. (NB: ensure the food has no added salt or onions. Very plain is best)
- Small tube of Petromalt (to help dissolve hairballs)
- Small sharp scissors
- Teeth trimmers
- Nail clippers
- Small card with phone number for your usual vet and phone number for your emergency vet. (Please do not forget this one – it may be the thing that saves your bunny's life one day)
You can always add to this list, but having these basics will get you started for now. If you do want to include ointments recommended by your vet then check the expiration date regularly. Your first aid kit will help you with small bumps and bruises however always keep an eye out for any general signs of illness. It is important to note any changes to your bunny's behavior and / or appearance as this may be a sign that all is not well. You know your bunny best! Once ill they can go downhill quickly so do not hesitate to ring your vet any time of the day or night.
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Source by Abbey Mitchell
