Heat stroke – it can happen to anyone's pet!
By Wendy Herne

We have had rabbits as pets for 25 years – from larger breeds such as New Zealand, to the tiny Netherland Dwarfs, and our current Dwarf Lops.  There is not much we don’t know about caring for rabbits.  We have always been very careful to ensure that our rabbits would not be affected by the heat and many times I have given new rabbit owners advice on how to care for their rabbits, especially in warmer weather.  So having one of our rabbits die from heat stroke is not something that I thought would ever happen.

We lost our beautiful bunny boy Thomas last month.  The worst part is that morning he was well and happy.  Thomas was a cashmere mini lop rabbit.  He was adorable; the best rabbit we have ever owned.  He was very gentle and placid, and loved cuddles.  He was an inside rabbit.  He had a hutch inside but we also had a pen outside with an A-frame hutch attached, so he could go out for a play on the grass.

It was a beautiful sunny day, about 23 degrees, and we decided to put Thomas out on the grass for a hop.  He loved being out there, and he ran about excitedly as soon as we put him in the hutch.  He wasn’t much of a grass eater, but he loved the feel of the grass under his feet, and he was racing around doing the little bunny kicks in the air (binkies, yes really that’s what they are called!) which are a rabbit’s way of expressing joy or sheer delight.  He had food and his water bottle, so we left him outside for a while, checking on him regularly and he was having a great time.

After a short while I went outside again and noticed that it was feeling a bit warm.  Thomas still looked fine, but he was sitting in the closed part of the hutch in the shade.  I was about to go out, so I asked my husband Rob if he would bring Thomas inside so he didn’t get too hot.  Being an inside bunny he was used to being in the cool, air-conditioned house. Rob assured me that he would bring him in soon.

When I arrived home late that afternoon Rob said Thomas wasn’t well.  He said he had left Thomas outside for a short time after I left, not very long, but that when he had gone to get him Thomas was lying completely flat in the closed part of the hutch and he hadn’t seemed himself.  As soon as I saw Thomas I knew what was wrong.  He was still stretched out flat and when I picked him up he was limp in my arms.  Thomas had heat stroke.  

Heat stroke in rabbits is almost always fatal, and there were no rabbit vets open that late.  We knew what to do though, so I squirted water into his mouth with a syringe, cooled him with tepid (lukewarm) wet towels and by spraying a light mist of tepid water onto his fur, especially his ears. Thomas started to look a bit better, but he was very wobbly.  He couldn’t stand up without almost falling over and he could only drag himself around the cage, just like a human stroke patient, he had no control over his body.  We continued to monitor him, and kept up his fluid intake. About 11pm that night he started to look terrible, and he died in my arms.  We are all devastated at his loss.  He was only five years old, too young to die. 

It was a terrible, tragic accident, that happened because we underestimated how fragile bunnies are, but from our loss maybe someone else can avoid losing their rabbit in the same way.  Other rabbit owners need to know how delicate their bunnies are, and how easy it is to lose one to heat stroke.  If we can lose one after having them for 25 years, it can happen to anyone. 

So, the important points all rabbit owners need to know:
Rabbits are highly susceptible to heat stroke, much more than most other furry pets.
Even a mildly warm day can be too hot for a rabbit.  They can overheat in temperatures as low as 25 degrees Celsius.
They can tolerate cooler temperatures much more easily than heat.
They are unable to sweat, so they can’t cool their bodies like other animals can. 
The only place they can lose excess body heat is through their ears.

Signs of heat stroke in rabbits (all furry pets really):
Rabbit lying completely flat (prostrate) with head tipped back
Panting, breathing rapidly
Trembling body
Wetness around the nose and mouth, drooling
Breathing eventually becomes very shallow and rabbit becomes uncoordinated, weak, unable to walk, limp.

Treatment:
If symptoms are mild, cool the rabbit down by spraying the body (especially the ears) with tepid water.
Lay the rabbit on a cool, wet towel.
Ensure the rabbit is getting enough water

More serious symptoms - This is a medical emergency!!  Cool the rabbit’s body temperature down as quickly as possible using towels soaked in tepid water, or submerge the rabbit in tepid water if necessary.

Don't be tempted to use cold water as this can cause the rabbit to go into shock!

See your vet as soon as possible!

A rabbit that has recovered from heat stress will be even more susceptible to it than before. It is best to take steps to completely avoid it happening.

Tips for avoiding heat stroke:
In extremely hot weather ensure your rabbit is in the coolest part of the yard or house, preferably in shade.
Make sure the rabbit has plenty of water – a pottery or stoneware bowl of water in addition to the usual water bottle will allow the rabbit to put their ears in the water to cool down.
Placing wet towels or hessian over the top and sides of the hutch will assist in cooling
Frozen plastic drink bottles can be placed in the hutch for the rabbits to lie against - most rabbits love them!

Never underestimate the temperature outside, your rabbit is relying on you to protect it from the heat of the sun.

Hopefully by being aware of the ways you can keep your rabbit cool, you will ensure they lead a happy and healthy life!

Photos: Thomas Rabbit - (c) Wendy Herne