Health Special: Malocclusion in Rabbits

Malocclusion, referring to the misalignment of teeth, is a common ailment of the house rabbit. As with dogs bred to have “cute” smushed-in faces, certain breeds of rabbit, like the dwarf varieties, are especially prone to congenital deformities of the mouth. What makes malocclusion so serious for bunnies, however, is that rabbit teeth grow continuously. Normally, their teeth match up perfectly, so they’re kept ground down by the action of chewing. (Just one more reason giving your rabbit unlimited hay is so important!) Since maloccluded incisors don't match up, the teeth don’t file down and instead continue growing endlessly. As the incisors become overgrown, eating and drinking become harder and harder for the rabbit, all the while causing significant discomfort inside and outside the mouth as the teeth grow into the roof of the mouth and dig into the surrounding skin of the face. Untreated, this malformation can cause a slow and painful death.

Some medical professionals recommend trimming or grinding down the teeth every two months or so, but this can be uncomfortable, stressful, even dangerous if, during a trimming, the teeth accidentally shatter. Periodic trimmings and grindings can be extremely expensive too, especially when performed under anesthesia. All these factors considered, rabbits with maloccluded teeth are sadly euthanized all too often; the constant upkeep is overwhelming and too much for some to handle.

Recently, a rabbit with malocclusion and severely overgrown incisors arrived at the local shelter. The shelter vet suggested euthanasia and the shelter manager agreed after noting the considerable extra effort that comes with finding homes for special needs animals at an overcrowded, financially stressed shelter.

I, on the other hand, wasn’t ready to give up that easily. After consulting with some fellow rabbit experts at House Rabbit Network, I learned that there was another option: extraction. It seemed simple enough—the defective six front teeth would be removed, and after the mouth healed, he would learn to use his lips to pick up food and use the rest of his 22 teeth for chewing purposes. I spoke with a fantastic veterinarian at the VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital who explained that the surgery was relatively straightforward and inexpensive (she quoted $30 for the extraction procedure, though this price didn't include the cost of anesthesia or other drugs), the recovery was minimal, and, she said, the rabbit would be as good as new when it was over. In fact, he would even have a slight advantage over rabbits looking for homes—with no front teeth, rabbit-proofing would be a breeze!

I immediately brought the rabbit, who I had named Charley, home. He was severely underweight and malnourished from weeks of eating difficulties, so I spent a couple days feeding him a high-calorie, high-fiber, easy-to-chew diet, which included Critical Care, oatmeal, canned pumpkin, vegetable medley baby food, chopped strawberries, collard greens and cilantro, and even timothy hay broken into small, bite-sized bits. He chowed down for two days straight, and proved his will to live by bouncing all over my house and spending hours sleeping in my lap. Fortunately, House Rabbit Network had offered to foot the bill for the surgery, so after he had regained some strength, we were ready. On an early Wednesday morning, we drove up to Wakefield and Charley had his six front teeth pulled (he was also neutered at the same time). I picked him up that evening, and he was, though drugged, already acting a little feisty. By the next morning, he was eating Critical Care and pumpkin mush and three days later was eating entire bowls of pellets, chopped up greens, and even his hay.

He’s now a happy, rambunctious little guy, and might I add, perfectly adoptable. I hope this story inspires other owners and shelters with rabbits with dental problems to consider this alternative. As Charley sprints around my living room like a maniac, I can say with full confidence, that incisor extraction is a fantastically helpful surgery, a procedure we would both recommend to anyone.

Charley Before

Charley After

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Charcoal Bunny's Legacy

In memoriam of a very special rabbit and Rabbit Advocate friend, Charcoal, who passed away in September 2009

Although shy, Charcoal brought [Jake and I] both a great deal of love and truly meant the world to us. We adopted him together, but I really saw Jake develop a love for Charcoal (and eventually a love for animals). Charcoal was my first personal relationship with a bunny, and he was the reason I began working with the bunnies at the city shelter. He instigated a great deal of good in our lives and the lives of other shelter buns. Charcoal was in that classic "hard to adopt" category: black, older, shy. But for us, he was the most perfect bunny ever.

~Mallory C. (and Jake B.), New York City, NY

In honor of Charcoal's memory, we have started a fundraiser for Bunny Magic, a 501(c)3 shelter and sanctuary for over 150 domestic rabbits in southern Maryland. Run by and paid for almost entirely by two volunteers, Bunny Magic takes in eleventh hour rabbits from shelters in Maryland and Virginia--rabbits who would otherwise have been euthanized due to space restrictions or behavioral/medical problems. They find loving, indoor homes for these bunnies, educate the public, and provide permanent sanctuary for those who are not able to be adopted out.

We hope that in his death, as he did in his life, Charcoal will continue inspiring people to help homeless animals. Please consider donating $5, $10, $20, $50 or more-- any amount is greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to Bunny Magic Rabbit Rescue and sent to 1309 Tongue Cove Drive, Lusby, MD 20657. Note that your donations are tax-deductible. Please email me with any questions you may have. And thank you in advance for your compassion and generosity.

Best buds: Charcoal lounging with Cipher.

Question from the Audience: Paw Flicking

A question from Elsie C. in Manchester, UK:

Q: My one year old house rabbit keeps flicking his front paws, one at a time. It is a kind of flick/shake. Any idea why? He is also quieter than normal instead of running around.

A: Rabbits usually flick their paws right before they plan to groom their faces or ears. Is he flicking his paws for a few seconds and then grooming himself? Is so, that is absolutely fine. If he is just flicking his paws repeatedly, then it would be worth it to have a closer look at his paws (is there something stuck to them? does he have a splinter or something of the sort? are they hurting? are they numb? do his nails need to be trimmed/getting caught in the carpet?). If you can't determine anything off about his paws, it might be a good idea to have a vet take a closer look at them.

I'd actually be more worried about him being "quieter than normal." Rabbits, being prey animals, really work to hide their symptoms. Once a rabbit is exhibiting unusual behaviors, you really want to pay close attention. Is he eating the same amount? Bathroom behaviors changed/droppings look the same? Acting depressed? Listless? If you said yes to any of these four questions, then don't wait to make an appointment with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian. These are surefire signs something is not right with your bunny, and when it's reached a stage with any of these symptoms, things can go very fast.

A Free and Easy Way to Help a Shelter Bunny

One thing that always arrives with summer is the appearance of farmer's markets. And one thing that always comes with farmer's markets are leftovers! Ask a vegetable stand at your farmer's market about donating their unsold veggies, scraps, or even unusable parts (carrot, radish, beet tops) to your local shelter's rabbits. All you have to do is transport the goods to the shelter, as often as you like. It's an easy way to give a shelter bunny a healthy meal for free. Make sure to relay which veggies are okay, and which to avoid (ie tomatoes, beans, potatoes, rhubarb; and use carrots, bananas, (anything with high sugar) sparingly).

Atlas Farms has been donating their delicious organic vegetables to the Boston MSPCA for a few weeks, and it's turning out great for everyone involved. See pictures below for proof! (All of these bunnies are available for adoption through the Boston MSPCA; click on their names for additional information.)











Miss Bunny











Oreo











Dottie











Eddie











Neil











Sneezy








Chris











Barney











Wabbit











Cheesey








Piper & Widget (Guinea pigs need greens too!)



Another idea: If you're baking/cooking with strawberries and have a ton of strawberry tops, save them in an airtight container and take them to your shelter. Strawberry tops make for a delicious treat!

Thanks for thinking of helping out a shelter or rescue in your area!

Health Special: New Developments in the Treatment of Facial Abscesses in Rabbits

When a bunny at the local shelter recently came in with a large abscess on his jaw, the shelter staff and I did our best to give him a fighting chance. He was underweight, with thin, scruffy fur, and the right side of his face--where a marble-sized abscess had grown--looked twice the size of his left. It was unknown, but suspected, that the infection had reached the root of his back teeth.

With the shelter's limited resources, and an uncertain outcome, (facial abscesses are difficult to eradicate surgically, especially if the infection has reached the bone) the very hard decision was made to euthanize the rabbit. He was in unimaginable agony and the veterinary staff didn't think his chances were good enough to subject him to further pain.

In my disillusionment with the decision to euthanize, I began researching facial abscesses online and found a wealth of information on a seemingly promising alternative treatment. The process, which was first discovered and written about by Marcy E. Rosenfield in the 1990s, describes how long-term use of injectable Bicillin can effectively treat abscesses in rabbits, virtually eliminating and eradicating the infection. I was surprised to learn that these simple subcutaneous injections were not only much less invasive, and very low-cost, but that they were even more effective than the standard practice of surgery alone. While the injections show greatest success when combined with surgery, they've shown marked success without as well, which course can be employed especially in cases where surgery is not medically or financially viable. For shelters with limited resources, i.e. no money for surgery, Bicillin injections offer a ray of hope. And it's a very big ray too.

While the success of the treatment is indubitably affected by whether or not the infection has reached the bone, the Bicillin (Penicillin G is currently preferred over Bicillin) treatments still show notable success in either case. The treatments have demonstrated the ability to successfully halt the rate of recurrence, prompting eradication of facial abscesses to no longer be viewed on par with cancers.

Make sure to read Marcy Rosenfield's study for details and background information and note the importance of investigating the underlying cause of the infection. Dental work may be helpful in certain cases.

Below I have included selected testimonials about Bicillin/PenG use from House Rabbit Society and House Rabbit Network Educators. You can also check out the testimonials previously gathered by Marcy Rosenfield.

Testimonials

In 2003, my minirex Lewis had a walnut sized jaw abscess that we treated with PenG injections, after multiple surgeries and other antibiotics had been unsuccessful. It was a pretty extensive infection, spreading to his face and nose, with demineralization of the jaw bone. I gave him daily sub-q injections for two weeks, followed by injections every other day for two months. The abscess cleared up completely and never returned, and he lived for another five years. So yes, it really can work.
-- Diane M., HRN Educator

My experience is with just one rabbit. She had a jaw abscess on two occasions, and both times they went away with Bicillin alone. One took a few weeks; the other several months. In both cases, the abscesses were not causing any problems, so we had the luxury of time.
-- Amy Spintman, Educator, San Diego HRS

In my experience, [Bicillin] can work very well, especially if the infection is not in the bone. The biggest plus is that Bicillin/Duplocillin is dirt cheap.
--Dana Krempels, HRS Educator

I don't ever give up on a rabbit with an abscess since Bipen [alternate name for Bicillin] emerged. If you have ever read "Rabbits, Gentle Hearts, Valient Spirits," you may have encountered "Buddy's Story," about a rabbit we had at Colorado HRS. He was initially in my care. He had a softball sized jaw abscess, along with other problems. Buddy lived several years after his treatment. In his case, I doubled the dose recommended (with medical approval) and treated about 6 months or so. Bipen is amazing. And, cheap!
--Bea LeNoir, Co-Chapter Manager, Colorado HRS

Ultimately, you should keep in mind that house rabbit ownership has exploded in recent years, and accordingly, breakthroughs in rabbit medicine are still forthcoming. Oftentimes the advances are still evolving and under revision, which means that not every veterinarian will possess all of the most up-to-date information possible, and we as responsible pet owners may even be required to step in and offer some findings of personal research. Don't be intimidated to relay your findings to your vet; it could end up saving your rabbit's life.

Are You Rabbit-Ready?

So you're thinking about getting a rabbit... Great! Rabbits make terrific pets, but they do require some specialized care and attention. As with any pet, you're going to want to do some preliminary research to figure out beforehand exactly what you're getting yourself into. Rabbits can live 8-10 years and are not low-maintenance pets, so it's especially important to know the specifics of their care before bringing one into your home.

Some facts about house rabbits:

1. Rabbits eat a highly varied diet. While they can eat a small amount of pellets daily, they must have unlimited access to a fresh grass hay and an assortment of fresh vegetables. Feeding a rabbit is definitely not as simple as throwing some dog or cat food in a bowl every morning.

2. Rabbits need to be seen by a rabbit-experienced vet, which is usually termed as an "exotics" vet. Exotics vets can charge more than regular dog or cat vets, so rabbit health bills can add up. While rabbits do not need vaccinations, they should be seen at least once a year by a rabbit-savvy vet.

3. Rabbits should be housed indoors, and this creates the need for rabbit-proofing. You will need to purchase a large dog cage or x-pen in which to house the rabbit while you are away or sleeping. While you're around, you can let the bunny out to explore--but certain dangers, such as poisonous plants or materials, electrical wires, and expensive furniture, must be moved, covered up, or protected.

4. It's strongly recommended that your rabbit be spayed or neutered. This makes a huge difference in litter-training and in curbing various behavioral and health issues.

5. As aforementioned, and now should be evident, rabbits are not low-maintenance pets. They require specialized care, daily attention, and a considerable amount of supervision. Rabbits also do not make good "starter" pets for children, as they are highly sensitive physically and mentally.

Before acquiring a rabbit, strongly consider all the factors. And if you do decide to get one, always adopt from a shelter or rescue--never buy from a petstore!