“When in doubt, go to the vet” is a bunny parent’s mantra. There’s no substitute for seeing a rabbit-savvy veterinarian* and getting your rabbit the professional instruction and care they need, especially in an emergency.

However, due to COVID-19 protocols, staffing shortages, and other challenges at veterinary offices, it may be difficult right now to get an immediate appointment with your vet, or even get to an emergency vet. It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit with emergency supplies on hand in case your rabbit isn’t able to see a vet right away.

Remember, a first aid kit is not a replacement for going to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian when there is an emergency. A first aid kit can help you keep your rabbit stable until they can see a vet.

items

When putting together your emergency kit, we recommend including:

Taking Bunny’s Temperature

  • Digital thermometer1 (a rabbit’s normal temperature is 101-103°F) – Practice taking your rabbit’s temperature before it’s an emergency!
  • Water-based lubricant, like KY Jelly, to lubricate the thermometer
  • Heating pad or disc, to keep your rabbit warm, if needed.
  • Cooling pad/ice packs, to cool your rabbit, if needed.

Only heat or cool a rabbit after taking their temperature!

When Bunny Won’t Eat or Looks Uncomfortable

  • Stethoscope, to listen for gut sounds
  • Mini hand massager – move side to side and up and down on rabbit’s abdomen to help move gas
  • Infant gas drops (simethicone) – While simethicone may not do anything if a rabbit has gas, it’s unlikely to hurt, and anecdotally some people feel it helps their rabbit; however, do not wait to seek veterinary attention.
  • Blanket or cuddle pod5 to safely secure your rabbit for syringe feeding and/or medications

Wound Care

  • Hydrogen peroxide, to clean blood off fur or check for blood in urine, seeing if it fizzes
  • Pet-safe wound care spray, like Vetericyn
  • Neosporin or Polysporin for minor cuts and bite wounds (not the kind with “pain relief,” generic OK)
  • Q-tips and cotton balls
  • Gauze and self-adherent bandages4, like VetWrap or CoFlex
  • Styptic powder or cornstarch to stop bleeding if a nail is cut too close to the quick

Other Medical Items

  • Oral syringes2 (1mL syringes for medicine)
  • Saline solution or veterinary eyewash to flush eyes
  • Bulb syringe to clear mucus out of nostril or administer an enema
  • Recovery food3, like Oxbow’s Critical Care, for syringe feeding if your rabbit stops eating
  • Oral syringes (35 mL catheter tip syringes for feeding)
  • Canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to mix with Critical Care, if needed, for extra fiber and taste
  • Pedialyte (unflavored), or apple juice for hydration
  • Tweezers to remove debris
  • Blunt scissors to safely trim fur away from a wound or mats (we like children’s Fiskars safety scissors)
  • Small flashlight to look in ears, eyes, examine wounds, and to backlight dark nails for nail trims
  • Washcloth to do a warm compress for a weepy eye or abscess

Reviewed by HRS staff

Author: Larissa Church
Journal Issue: House Rabbit Journal, Winter 2020

Sign up to Our Newsletter!

Sign up for web update alerts and our monthly e-newsletter
to stay current on HRS, our Chapters, and info for your bunny.

Sign up here