Effective Ways to Prevent Rabbit Foot Dermatitis: Tips

Preventing Rabbit Pododermatitis: Effective Strategies

1. Control Humidity Levels. It's crucial for rabbit owners to manage the humidity in their rabbitry. Good ventilation is key to reducing moisture, but it's also important to minimize the time urine and feces sit in the rabbitry. Promptly clean up after your rabbits to prevent moisture buildup. If the ground is excessively damp, sprinkle lime to absorb moisture. In particularly humid and hot southern regions, consider installing fans or air conditioners to aid in cooling. Aim to balance temperature, ventilation, temperature differences, and humidity for optimal conditions.

2. Choose Flat Cage Floors. After installing a metal rabbit cage, thoroughly inspect it. Feel the metal wires at the bottom for any burrs, protrusions, or sharp edges, and smooth them down for safety. For bamboobottomed cages, check for nails or burrs during feeding times and remove them promptly. It's advisable to place antibiting plastic pads under the cage floors of each breeding rabbit to significantly reduce the risk of pododermatitis.

3. Maintain Cleanliness. Regularly clean and disinfect the rabbitry floors and enclosures, paying special attention to the cleanliness of the small environment within the cages. Avoid allowing feces and urine to accumulate at the bottom of the cages. Narrow bamboo cage floors can easily accumulate waste, so frequent cleaning and replacement are essential. For stubborn dirt, use highconcentration disinfectants as needed. Ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection, avoiding any superficial practices. Pay particular attention to the cleanliness of gaps in the cage floors.

4. Regularly Treat for Mites. For meat rabbits, use IvermectinAlbendazole powder to deworm the entire group every two months, including pregnant rabbits. For Angora rabbits, deworming can be done every three months. Refer to the instructions for specific deworming procedures. However, it's important to deworm the entire group at once to prevent mite outbreaks that can be difficult to eliminate.

5. Develop a Habit of Checking. Owners should get into the habit of examining the feet of breeding rabbits during handling, looking for any signs of pododermatitis early on. Early detection and treatment can prevent the need for euthanasia due to advanced disease.

By following these strategies, shared by Oxygen Pet Doctor, you can effectively prevent rabbit pododermatitis, alleviate your rabbits' suffering, and avoid economic losses. We hope this article provides valuable insights into preventive measures and encourages you to take proactive steps for your rabbits' health.