If you've bought a rabbit, here are two veterinary services you'll need to use.
Neutering
If you don't have any other rabbits and don't plan to ever have more than one, you might assume that neutering your new rabbit is unnecessary, as there will be no risk of them breeding. However, even if your rabbit is unlikely to ever be in the presence of another rabbit during its lifetime, you should still use this veterinary service.
If your rabbit is female, having the vet remove her ovaries and womb will mean she won't be at any risk of developing cancer in these organs (uterine cancer is quite common in unneutered female rabbits). If your rabbit is male, having him neutered will mean that he will have lower testosterone levels, which will, in turn, mean he'll be less aggressive and thus easier to bond with and train.
Furthermore, if your views about getting a second rabbit change in the future, having your existing rabbit neutered will mean that you can go ahead and get one immediately, without first having to arrange for the neutering of your current pet (which could take a few weeks to arrange).
Annual check-ups
As with any pet, it's important to use your vet's check-up service for your rabbit about once a year. For rabbits, this check-up will usually involve the vet examining the rabbit for signs of parasites such as worms or fleas. Depending on your rabbit's vaccination schedule, the vet may also be able to provide their booster shots for diseases such as myxomatosis during this appointment. This check-up service will also ensure your vet spots any other signs of common issues rabbits experience, such as hairballs, and treat them promptly.
Whilst you should use this annual service for your rabbit's entire life, it's especially important to use it during the early stages of your pet ownership, when you are still unfamiliar with the health issues that rabbits tend to develop and so might struggle to recognise certain symptoms. Having them checked by the vet will ensure that even if you don't notice a medical issue your rabbit has developed, the vet will, and he or she can then address it. For example, if you noticed your rabbit sneezing but were not aware that sneezing can be a sign of pasteurellosis in rabbits, your vet could, during this check-up, diagnose this infection and give your rabbit the antibiotics they need.
Contact a local veterinary service to learn more.
Share19 July 2021
I've owned dogs for over twenty years and even used my experience to start a dog socialisation group in my local area, as I found I was increasingly encountering poorly socialised dogs when I was out with my own dogs. I started this blog to share my personal tips and experience of looking after dogs, and I write blog posts on a range of topics, such as exercise requirements, stimulation, basic training tips and common doggy health complaints to be on the lookout for. I also post about new products I've tried, such as agility equipment, grooming products and supplements. I hope you enjoy my blog and find my posts interesting.