Build Your Emergency Kit
Keep these supplies accessible:
Critical Care Supplies
- Critical Care (Oxbow) - Syringe feeding for rabbits who won't eat
- Syringes (various sizes) - 1ml, 3ml, 10ml, no needles
- Simethicone (infant gas drops) - For mild GI discomfort
- Unflavored Pedialyte - For hydration
- Baby food (pure pumpkin) - Sometimes helps with GI issues
First Aid Basics
- Styptic powder or cornstarch - Stops nail bleeding
- Saline solution - For flushing wounds/eyes
- Gauze pads - For wound care
- Self-adhesive bandage wrap - Won't stick to fur
- Digital thermometer - Normal: 101-103°F (38.3-39.4°C)
- Small towel - For wrapping/comfort
- Nail clippers - In case of broken nail
Comfort Items
- Heating pad (low setting, not directly on rabbit)
- Small carrier - For vet transport
- Familiar blanket/towel - For comfort
Know Your Emergency Vet
Before You Need Them
- Find rabbit-savvy emergency vets in your area
- Confirm they see rabbits after hours
- Save their number in your phone
- Know the address and fastest route
- Ask about payment policies
Questions to Ask
- "Do you have experience with rabbits?"
- "Is there a rabbit specialist on staff?"
- "What are your after-hours procedures?"
- "Do you require payment upfront?"
Red Flag: If a vet says...
- "Rabbits don't need exotic specialists"
- "Just wait and see"
- "Rabbits can't get X condition" (when they can)
Trust your gut - you know your rabbit best.
Emergency Action Plans
If Your Rabbit Stops Eating
0-4 hours: Offer favorites, monitor closely
4-8 hours: Try critical care, gentle tummy massage
8-12 hours: VET - This is becoming urgent
12+ hours: EMERGENCY VET - GI stasis is life-threatening
If Your Rabbit Has Diarrhea
True diarrhea (watery) is an emergency:
- Note consistency, color, and smell
- Remove all food except hay and water
- Take photos to show vet
- Call vet immediately - dehydration can be rapid
If You Find Maggots (Flystrike)
This is a true emergency - can be fatal within hours:
- Call vet immediately
- If you can, carefully remove visible maggots with tweezers
- Keep rabbit calm and still
- Transport to vet ASAP
- Do NOT bathe the rabbit
If Your Rabbit is Overheating
Signs: panting, wet nose, lethargy, hot ears
- Move to cool area immediately
- Wet ears with COOL (not cold) water
- Offer cool water to drink
- Frozen water bottle to lie near (not on)
- Call vet - internal damage may have occurred
If Your Rabbit is Injured
- Stay calm - they sense your stress
- Assess without moving if possible
- If bleeding: gentle pressure with clean cloth
- Keep them still and warm
- Transport to vet in carrier with towel
Evacuation Planning
For Natural Disasters
- Carrier for each rabbit
- 3-day supply of hay, pellets, water
- Medications with dosing instructions
- Copy of medical records
- Recent photo of each rabbit
- List of rabbit-friendly hotels/shelters
- Contact info for boarding facilities
Practice Runs
- Get rabbits used to carriers
- Test your evacuation route
- Know where you'll go
- Have a buddy system with another rabbit owner
Financial Preparation
Rabbit emergencies can be expensive ($500-$2000+).
Options to Consider
- Pet emergency fund (save monthly)
- Pet insurance (compare rabbit-specific policies)
- CareCredit or similar medical credit
- Know your vet's payment policies
Signs to Never Ignore
Call Vet Immediately If:
- Not eating or drinking 12+ hours
- No poop for 12+ hours
- Labored/open-mouth breathing
- Sudden head tilt
- Dragging back legs
- Blood in urine or stool
- Straining to urinate
- Sudden lethargy/collapse
- Seizures
- Visible maggots
- Extreme temperature (below 100°F or above 104°F)
The Golden Rule
When in doubt, call. A phone call costs nothing, and vets expect these calls. They'd rather hear from a worried owner than have you wait too long.
After an Emergency
- Follow all vet instructions exactly
- Finish all medications
- Keep follow-up appointments
- Monitor closely for relapse
- Update your emergency kit
- Note what happened for future reference
