Trimming Nails
Indoor rabbits typically don't spend much time digging in dirt or running around on concrete -- both of which help to wear down nails naturally. This means that our indoor rabbits need to have regular nail trims.
How often? That depends on a number of factors so it can vary greatly per rabbit. Just keep an eye on those nails and trim whenever they get long (and well before they start curling under).
For those with stubborn, difficult to handle bunnies, there is still hope!
Various methods:
- One can make it a team effort by asking for someone to help you. One of you can hold bunny while the other trims nails.
- Wrap bunny burrito style in a blanket and pull one paw at a time out of the blanket for trimming.
- Follow the method shown on the following video. Most people who watch this video for the first time (myself included) thought this method will only work with compliant rabbits -- not so!! Follow it precisely -- tall table, snug hold, "press, press, clip," shake back paws -- to get the same results as shown in video. It works!
How often? That depends on a number of factors so it can vary greatly per rabbit. Just keep an eye on those nails and trim whenever they get long (and well before they start curling under).
For those with stubborn, difficult to handle bunnies, there is still hope!
Various methods:
- One can make it a team effort by asking for someone to help you. One of you can hold bunny while the other trims nails.
- Wrap bunny burrito style in a blanket and pull one paw at a time out of the blanket for trimming.
- Follow the method shown on the following video. Most people who watch this video for the first time (myself included) thought this method will only work with compliant rabbits -- not so!! Follow it precisely -- tall table, snug hold, "press, press, clip," shake back paws -- to get the same results as shown in video. It works!
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Syringe Feeding
If a rabbit begins to show the early signs of GI stress (refusing food), a quick dosing of simethicone (baby gas drops) is often enough to get bunny eating again. This requires using an oral syringe to administer the medicine, which some find difficult to do. (The syringe for simethicone comes with the bottle.)
An oral syringe is also how to administer Critical Care when advised. (There is a photo of a larger oral syringe in the first-aid kit photo above.)
The video below show one way to administer medicine or Critical Care by use of an oral syringe. I made use of our slick floor to prevent bunny from getting traction to get away.
An oral syringe is also how to administer Critical Care when advised. (There is a photo of a larger oral syringe in the first-aid kit photo above.)
The video below show one way to administer medicine or Critical Care by use of an oral syringe. I made use of our slick floor to prevent bunny from getting traction to get away.
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