Before You Start

Get Clear Instructions

  • Dose amount and frequency
  • With food or empty stomach?
  • Duration of treatment
  • Storage requirements
  • Side effects to watch for

Gather Supplies

  • Medication
  • Syringes (usually 1ml or 3ml, needleless)
  • Towel for wrapping
  • Treats for rewards
  • Second person to help (if possible)

The Bunny Burrito

For medications, nail trims, and health checks, the "burrito wrap" is essential.

How to Wrap

  • Lay towel flat - Large enough to wrap fully
  • Place rabbit in center - Facing you
  • Fold one side over - Tuck under body
  • Fold other side over - Create snug wrap
  • Secure gently - Firm but not tight
  • Leave head out - Obviously!

Tips

  • Practice when there's no medication needed
  • Make it a positive experience (treats after)
  • Don't wrap too tight (can't breathe)
  • Support their back at all times
  • Quick and calm is better than slow and stressed

Oral Medications

Most rabbit medications are liquid and given by syringe.

Positioning

Option 1: Burrito + Lap

  • Wrap in towel
  • Hold in your lap
  • One person holds, one gives meds

Option 2: On Table

  • Towel on table
  • Rabbit facing away from you
  • Restrain gently with one hand
  • Syringe with other

Option 3: Floor Level

  • Some rabbits do better on ground
  • Less scary than being lifted
  • You kneel behind them

Technique

  • Prepare syringe - Correct dose, no air bubbles
  • Position rabbit - Secure but not squished
  • Insert syringe - In the side of mouth (not front)
  • Aim behind teeth - Toward the gap (diastema)
  • Go slowly - Small amounts at a time
  • Let them swallow - Pause between squirts
  • Watch for spitting - May need to redo if lost

Preventing Spitting

  • Smaller amounts more frequently
  • Warm medication slightly (not hot)
  • Mix with unsweetened banana baby food (ask vet first)
  • Stay calm - they sense stress
  • Don't squirt into windpipe (aim sideways, not down throat)

Eye Drops & Ointments

For Eye Drops

  • Burrito wrap (usually needed)
  • Tilt head slightly back
  • Hold eye open gently with one hand
  • Drop from above (not touching eye)
  • Let them blink to distribute
  • Wipe any excess gently

For Eye Ointment

  • Burrito wrap
  • Pull down lower lid slightly
  • Apply thin line of ointment
  • Let them blink
  • Ointment will spread with blinking

Tips

  • Warm ointment in your hand first (easier to apply)
  • Don't touch applicator to eye
  • Treats immediately after
  • Some cloudiness after ointment is normal

Ear Treatments

Important for lop-eared rabbits like Holland Lops who are prone to ear infections!

Cleaning Ears

  • Use only rabbit-safe ear cleaner
  • Apply to cotton ball (not directly in ear)
  • Gently wipe visible ear areas
  • Never insert anything into ear canal
  • Let them shake if they want

Ear Drops

  • Burrito wrap is essential
  • Fold ear back gently to expose canal
  • Position bottle opening above canal
  • Squeeze prescribed number of drops
  • Gently massage base of ear
  • Hold briefly to prevent immediate shaking
  • Repeat other ear if prescribed
  • Let them shake when done

Lop Ear Considerations

  • Ears need extra attention due to shape
  • More prone to moisture and infection
  • Check weekly even when healthy
  • Cleaning may need to be more frequent

Subcutaneous Fluids

If your rabbit is dehydrated, a vet may prescribe sub-Q fluids. This sounds scary but is doable at home.

What You'll Need

  • Fluid bag (from vet)
  • Giving set (tube and needle)
  • Alcohol wipe
  • Towel
  • Possibly a helper

Basic Process

  • Warm fluid bag (in warm water, not microwave)
  • Set up giving line with air purged
  • Burrito wrap rabbit
  • Clean injection site (scruff area)
  • Tent the skin
  • Insert needle quickly
  • Start flow
  • Watch for proper "bubble" forming
  • Remove needle and pinch site

Important: Have your vet demonstrate this first. Every rabbit and situation is different.

Critical Care Feeding

Critical Care is a recovery food for rabbits who won't eat. It can be lifesaving.

When to Use

  • Not eating for 12+ hours
  • Post-surgery recovery
  • GI stasis
  • Dental issues preventing eating

Preparation

  • Mix with warm water per package directions
  • Consistency should be thin enough for syringe
  • Prepare only what you'll use (doesn't keep well)
  • Usually 10-20ml per feeding

Feeding Technique

  • Use larger syringe (10ml typically)
  • Burrito wrap if needed
  • Insert syringe at side of mouth
  • Small amounts at a time
  • Let them chew and swallow
  • Watch for aspiration (going down wrong way)
  • Feed every 4-6 hours as directed

Signs of Trouble

  • Coughing/gagging
  • Liquid coming from nose
  • Difficulty breathing after feeding

If these occur, stop immediately and contact vet.

Pain Medication

Rabbits hide pain well, so if your vet prescribed pain meds, they're likely needed.

Common Medications

  • Meloxicam (Metacam): Anti-inflammatory, pain relief
  • Gabapentin: Nerve pain
  • Tramadol: Stronger pain relief
  • Buprenorphine: Post-surgical

Administration

  • Usually oral liquid
  • Follow timing precisely
  • Don't skip doses for chronic conditions
  • Watch for side effects (lethargy, GI changes)
  • Never use human pain meds without vet approval

Antibiotics

Important Rules

  • Complete the full course - Even if they seem better
  • Probiotics: Ask vet about giving Benebac
  • Watch GI function: Antibiotics can disrupt gut bacteria
  • Proper storage: Some need refrigeration

Common Rabbit-Safe Antibiotics

  • Enrofloxacin (Baytril)
  • Trimethoprim-sulfa
  • Penicillin G (injection only)
  • Azithromycin
  • Chloramphenicol

Note: Some antibiotics safe for other animals are DEADLY for rabbits. Never give medication not prescribed by a rabbit-savvy vet.

Making It Easier

Build Positive Association

  • Practice handling before you need to
  • Pair handling with treats
  • Stay calm (they sense anxiety)
  • Same time each day creates routine
  • Keep sessions short and positive

After Medication

  • Immediate treat reward
  • Cuddle time if they want it
  • Let them return to safe space
  • Monitor for adverse reactions

If You're Struggling

  • Call your vet for tips
  • Ask for a demonstration
  • Some medications can be compounded into treats
  • Having two people helps enormously
  • If truly impossible, vet techs can sometimes administer

Emergency Medication

Keep On Hand

  • Simethicone (infant gas drops): For mild GI discomfort
  • Critical Care: For appetite loss
  • Pedialyte: For dehydration
  • Styptic powder: For nail bleeding

Know the Doses

Keep a note with emergency doses:

  • Simethicone: Usually 1-2ml as needed
  • Your vet's emergency number
  • Nearest emergency vet address

Being prepared can save your rabbit's life in an emergency.