Heatstroke in rabbits: Symptoms and treatment

Labored breathing, flaring of the nostrils and distress are all signs of heat stress. These early signs can lead to a rabbit having a heatstroke and eventually death if not caught and treated early. Rabbits are highly susceptible to air temperatures especially when the mercury rises.Rabbit owners should be especially cautious when temperatures rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The same process that happens in humans will happen with animals including rabbits. As the temperatures go up, so does the body temperature. And for rabbits that have thick coats, this process can happen quickly.

Heatstroke is a rise in the body temperature that is accompanied by physical and neurological symptoms. Heat stress and heat exhaustion can cause physical symptoms but are less severe than heatstroke. During times of high heat, the body is unable to dissipate heat that the body creates thus raising the body temperature. Heatstroke is considered a medical emergency and without treatment, can lead to the death of a rabbit.
SYMPTOMS
Signs of heat stress include panting along with flaring of the nostrils as the rabbit breaths. When the body is unable to cool down, the body temperature rises leading to heatstroke. The signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, salivating, confusion, inability to move and the rabbit may have convulsions. The rabbit's body will reach a point where it can no longer function which leads to the death of the rabbit.
TREATMENTS
If a rabbit's body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended to seek emergency veterinarian care immediately. When a rabbit's body temperature becomes too high, the prognosis for a full recovery is usually poor.
When a rabbit becomes overheated, quick action can mean the life or death of the rabbit but bringing down the temperature too quickly can also be dangerous. Immediately immerse the rabbit's body in tepid (not icy) water, keeping the head from becoming immersed. To keep the rabbit's stress levels down, a wet towel can be placed on the rabbit to help wet the coat or the water can be slowly dripped on the body. Gently rub the water into the fur so that the water reaches the skin. Keep the rabbit cool until you can reach a veterinarian where IV fluids and medication can be administered.
Heat stress can be treated at home if caught early enough by applying alcohol on the rabbit's feet and ears. Mist the ears with cool water and remove the rabbit from the heat. Gently wet the rabbit and rub the water into the skin.

Remember to cool the body temperature down slowly to prevent the rabbit from going into shock.
PREVENTION
There are many preventative measures that can be taken that will help a rabbit from becoming overheated. Outdoor rabbits should be housed in a shaded area and should never be left without plenty of fresh water. Adding ice cubes to your rabbit's water will keep the water cooler for longer periods of time. Grooming your rabbit more often in the summer months helps remove access hair that can heat the body.

Ice packs or frozen water bottles can be placed inside a rabbit's cage to help keep the body cool. Close supervision will be needed when placing items in a rabbit's cage as they may chew on them. Tile or pieces of marble are suitable materials for placing inside the cage for the rabbit to lay on. Some rabbit owners even freeze the tile or marble before placing them in the cage.
Fans are another option to use that will create a breeze but should never be blowing directly on the rabbit. Whenever possible, bring outdoor rabbits indoors during the heat of the day. During the dog days of summer, rabbit owners should check on their outdoor rabbits regularly. Offer your rabbit some frozen vegetable treats, fresh cool water and insure your rabbit is comfortable and not becoming over-heated.

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