Can Rabbits Have A Stroke? + 6 Prevention Tips

Strokes are less common in pets than they are in humans. But have you wondered, can rabbits have a stroke?

Strokes in pets such as cats and dogs have been known to be quite rare but once experienced, they can be equally serious.

In this article, we get to talk about whether rabbits can have a stroke, what causes rabbit strokes and how to tell if your rabbit had a stroke.

Continue reading to :

• Know if rabbits can have a stroke
• Know what causes rabbit strokes
• And much more…

Can Rabbits Have A Stroke

Rabbits just like humans can have a stroke. A stroke occurs when a blockage of the blood vessels interrupts or reduces blood supply to a part of the brain. The most common type of stroke in rabbits is heat stroke. Direct sunlight may have too much heat which can be very dangerous to bunnies.

Heat stroke occurs when a bunny gets too hot and is unable to control its body temperature. You should look out for the rabbits surrounding during warmer days to ensure they are do not stay in direct sunlight.

Provide a shade or place your bunny in a cool place during warm/hot days. Heat stroke is very dangerous and can be fatal.

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What Causes Rabbit Strokes

Bunnies may suffer from heat stroke if left in a hot place or under direct sunlight for a while. Unlike pets like dogs and cats, bunnies are not able to control their body temperatures.

Heat stroke can be caused by:

• Direct Sunlight: Leaving your bun friend out in direct sunlight for a while will lead to heat stroke. Rabbits unlike humans or other pets get hot very quickly and their bodies are not able to insantly regulate the change in internal temperatures.
• Hot Rabbit’s Hutch: The rabbits hutch should be set up in such a way that the temperature don’t get too hot or change rapidly. Ensure that it is set up on cool place like on tile or a place where direct sunlight doesn’t get to the hutch.
• Rabbit’s Beddings: Your bun friend beddings should not be too heavy and hot especially during summer. Ensure that the beddings are light, regularly changed and cleaned to prevent your bunny from getting too hot.

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How Do You Tell If A Rabbit Had A Stroke

Bunnies will not display any symptoms of an illness unless the illness becomes severe. To ensure you do not miss on the symptoms regularly check your bun friend and its environment. Do this more often if it is during the summer.

Below are the symptoms to look out for when a bunny is affected by heat stroke:

1. Panting: If your rabbit is brething more rapidly than usual it is likely going through a stroke. Check if your bunny has taking short slow breaths and also check their breathing from time to time.
2. Redness of their ears: Check the ears of your bunny for any redness or unusual warmth.
3. Tilting of their head: Although it could be a sign of an ear infection, it could also signal that your bunny is having a stroke. To get the right diagnosis for this take your rabbit to the veterinarian as soon as you notice the head tilt.
4. Lethargy: If your bunny suddenly becomes withdrawn, does not move around as usual and exhibits general body weakness it is likely having a stroke.
5. Drooling: If all of a sudden your bunny is salivating and drooling a lot more than usual take it to the vet to check if they are having a stroke or not.
6. Seizures and convulsing: If your bunny suddenly has seizures and is convulsing, rush to the veterinarian it is definitely having a stroke.

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Can Rabbits Survive A Stroke

A rabbit can survive a stroke if it is discovered early enough and treated as quickly as possible. Although rabbits won’t show any symptoms unless it is severe, ensure to regularly check for the symptoms above, and if you notice any rush to the veterinarian.

If unfortunately, you do not notice when there are changes in your rabbit and it suffers a stroke and is not treated, your rabbit is likely going to pass on. The effects of a stroke if untreated are lethal to your rabbit.

How To Prevent Stroke In Rabbits

To protect your rabbit from heat stroke, especially during summer you could do a few of the things listed below.

• Provide a shade from the hot sun: If you take your bunny out regularly ensure to provide a shade to protect them from the sun. Also ensure that their hutch is nowhere near direct sunlight and if it is move it or ensure there is shade.
• Regularly groom your rabbit: Ensure that you groom your rabbit regularly, get rid of excess fur to protect them from excessive heat/warmth.
• Ensure your rabbit stays hydrated: Provide water sources for your rabbit and ensure that the water is cold. Ensure that the bottles always have clean water and change the bottles regularly.
• Open windows and doors: Ensure that your rabbits hutch has doors and windows. Open them regularly to allow in a cool breeze and ensure to close them when ypur rabbit has had enough.
• Ensure that they lie on ceramic tile or on a cold surface especially during summer.
• Freeze bottles of water and leave them laying around next to your rabbit, this will help them cool off.

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How To Treat Stroke In Rabbits

If you notice that your rabbit has had a stroke talk to the vet immediately. Below are a few things you could do to ease the effects of the stroke at home before rushing to the veterinarian.

• Wipe their ears with cool water gently.
• Place lots of cold water for the rabbit.
• Place a damp towel in their hutch or surrounding.
• Place botles of frozen water next to their body.
• Place the bunny on a cold tile or ceramic.
• Create lots of shade for the rabbit.

These should only be done as first aid, ensure you take your bunny to the veterinarian as soon as you can to ensure that they are safe and out of danger.

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Conclusion

Rabbits can have a stroke. Most of the times stroke is caused by heat, it is known as a heat stroke. Ensure to always keep the bunnies hutch and surrounding cool and free from direct sunlight.

Always make sure your rabbit has different sources of clean water to keep it hydrated. Clean its hutch and beddings regularly and finally groom your rabbit from time to time.

Look out for the symptoms discussed above especially during summer. If you notice any give consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.