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Rabbit Safe Medicine
**DISCLAIMER:
This information is not to be used in place of a certified Veterinarian. Every medication of any form has the possibilities of side effects which vary greatly from rabbit to rabbit & all may be affected by various other elements such as other medications, diet, age & health, etc. With that said, the statements here are not written as an absolute answer or guarantee; these are simply common treatments used by those who have experienced successful results with them, but in no way guarantee the same results for every situation. Furthermore, we do not claim to be vets, nor are we in any way liable or responsible for any results, due to the use of the information stated below. Use of any information offered is done so fully at your own risk.**
Natural Medicine
Increasing appetite:
CELERY
Celery is a natural diuretic that increases appetite.
TREATS: encourages rabbit to eat when he/she’s gone off of pellets
DOSE: 2-3” piece, as needed
NOTES: wash veggies before feeding, leaves and stalks
DILL
Fresh dill leaves are a natural food to increase appetite.
TREATS: increases appetite for rabbits that have gone off feed
DOSE: moderate amount given as needed
NOTES: make sure no chemicals or sprays have been use on the plants
GRAPE LEAVES
Grape leaves are one of the best appetite stimulants.
TREATS: increases appetite
DOSE: moderate amount given as needed
NOTES: use fresh or dried out, never wilted or fermented – make sure its chemical free / unsprayed
KALE
Kale is a natural appetite stimulant which is high in calcium.
TREATS: increases appetite
DOSE: moderate amount given as needed
NOTES: wash before feeding
PUMPKIN
Pumpkin is an appetite stimulant.
TREATS: increases appetite, helps with gut mobility
DOSE: ¼ cup as needed, in moderation
NOTES: canned / whole pumpkin … can be fed by syringe if needed
SWEET POTATO
Sweet Potato is an appetite stimulant.
TREATS: increases appetite
DOSE: 2-3” piece, raw – can be given 2-3x weekly
NOTES: causes weight gain
Improving Gut/Digestive Health:
GRASS/HAY
Grass is the easiest to get natural product for gut mobility issues.
TREATS: increases gut mobility
DOSE: moderate amount given as needed
NOTES: make sure its chemical free / unsprayed
PAPAYA
Papaya is a digestive & gut mobility aid.
TREATS: aids in digestions and gut mobility, especially in cases of wool block
DOSE: moderate amount given as needed
NOTES: can feed fresh (best option), dried (as “gummy treats”), or as Enzyme Tablets (chewable or crushed and added in water for syringe feeding)
PARSLEY
Parsley is a digestive and gut mobility aid.
TREATS: helps with intestinal blockage and constipation, and aids in gut mobility
DOSE: given in moderate amounts as needed
NOTES: if fresh, wash before feeding
PINEAPPLE
Pineapple is a digestive and gut mobility aid.
TREATS: stops diarrhea, improves gut mobility
DOSE: Juice – add to drinking water or syringe
OR
DOSE:Fresh – 2-3” piece
OR
DOSE: Canned – No Sugar, 2 chunks
NOTES: can be given as needed or as a treat 1-3x weekly
PLANTAIN
Plantain is a gut and intestinal mobility aid.
TREATS: stops diarrhea, relieves gas, regulates intestines
DOSE: given in moderation, as needed (broad leaf or lance leaf)
NOTES: safe to feed about a handful amount daily – make sure its chemical free / unsprayed
Anti-bacterial:
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
ACV is an antibacterial antiseptic.
TREATS: infections, reduces ammonia odors, increases fertility
DOSE: 1 teaspoon mixed in gallon of drinking water, given daily; use undiluted for disinfecting/cleaning
NOTES: *Raw, Unfiltered, with “The Mother”100% natural, safe internally and externally, can’t overdose on it –but if mixed strong, rabbits may not drink it.
CRANBERRY
Cranberries, in dried form, are a natural antibacterial agent.
TREATS: antibacterial agent for bladder infection
DOSE: 4-5 berries as needed, in moderation
Anti-diarrhea:
BLACKBERRY
Blackberry has an anti-diarrhea agent.
TREATS: stops diarrhea
DOSE: moderate amount given as needed
NOTES: leaves and branches/twigs from a Blackberry bush –
make sure chemicals have not been sprayed on the bush
DANDELION
Dandelion is a natural plant that has has multiple beneficial qualities.
TREATS: increases milk flow, appetite, helps treat respiratory problems, acts as an astringent & helps regulate both constipation and diarrhea
DOSE: moderate amount as needed
NOTES: *If plant is wilted or fermenting, it can cause bloat!
THYME
Thyme has an anti-diarrhea agent.
TREATS: acts as a wormer and aid in stopping diarrhea
DOSE: (crushed) sprinkle 1 teaspoon on feed as needed
NOTES: if rabbit is not eating, can mix into canned pumpkin and orally syringed
Respiratory help:
DANDELION
Dandelion is a natural plant that has has multiple beneficial qualities.
TREATS: increases milk flow, appetite, helps treat respiratory problems, acts as an astringent & helps regulate both constipation and diarrhea
DOSE: moderate amount as needed
NOTES: *If plant is wilted or fermenting, it can cause bloat!
OREGANO
Oregano is a natural plant that is good for respiratory irritations
TREATS: allergies, sneezes, mild clear runny nose
DOSE: 5-10 fresh leaves each day for 2 weeks
NOTES: *Symptoms are very similar for Pasteurella and should be diagnosed by a vet if symptoms include white snot, weepy eyes, loss of appetite, and more.
Fertility:
GINGER
Ginger is a natural plant to increase fertility.
TREATS: increases fertility in bucks
DOSE: sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons on pellets as needed
NOTES: safe to use daily
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
ACV is an antibacterial antiseptic.
TREATS: infections, reduces ammonia odors, increases fertility
DOSE: 1 teaspoon mixed in gallon of drinking water, given daily; use undiluted for disinfecting/cleaning
NOTES: *Raw, Unfiltered, with “The Mother”100% natural, safe internally and externally, can’t overdose on it –but if mixed strong, rabbits may not drink it
Aid with Birth:
KALE
Kale is a green which is high in calcium.
TREATS: helps support contractions and keeps them strong during labor.
DOSE: moderate amount given as needed
NOTES: wash before feeding
RASPBERRY LEAFS
Raspberry leaf’s and twigs are for prevention and treatment of labor and delivery problems.
TREATS: aids in passing retained kits, induces labor, increases fertility, loosens pelvic area, and aids in gut mobility
DOSE: given in moderation, as needed
NOTES: make sure its chemical free / un-sprayed
Miscarriage or looses litter:
MINT
Mint is a natural treatment for Mastitis and slows down milk production.
TREATS: Dries up milk-flow, stimulates liver, digestion, and bile flow
DOSE: okay to feed moderately to bucks and dry does; 2-3 leaf’s, 1-2x weekly
NOTES: Do not give to nursing does or young kits – harvest just before flowering
Nursing:
BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS
BOSS is a great source of fiber, fat and oil.
TREATS: Increases milk production, makes the fur shiny, promotes weight gain.
DOSE: nursing does with small litters - 2 Tblsp, large litter 1/2 cup, dry doe and buck - 1 Tblsp each day.
GOATS MILK (best milk replacer for kits)
Goats milk is the best milk replacer for supplementing or hand-rearing kits.
TREATS: supplement or milk replacer for nursing kits
DOSE: moderately given as needed
NOTES: Use at room temperature – never cold or chilled
DANDELION
Dandelion is a natural plant that has has multiple beneficial qualities.
TREATS: increases milk flow, appetite, helps treat respiratory problems, acts as an astringent & helps regulate both constipation and diarrhea
DOSE: moderate amount as needed
NOTES: *If plant is wilted or fermenting, it can cause bloat!
Weight Gain:
OATS (Quaker Old Fashioned kitchen oatmeal)
Oats contain a lot of healthy fat that promotes weight gain.
TREATS: promotes weight gain
DOSE: 1 tsp - 1 Tblsp daily
NOTES: Do not feed quick oats, whole oats, or cooked oats.
BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS
BOSS is a great source of fiber, fat and oil.
TREATS: Increases milk production, promotes fur conditioning, promotes weight gain.
DOSE: nursing does with small litters - 2 Tblsp, large litter 1/2 cup, dry doe and buck - 1 Tblsp each day.
Antibiotic:
GARLIC
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and anti-inflamatory food.
TREATS: antibiotic and antiseptic for bloat, gas, and natural wormer
DOSE: small amount given as needed
NOTES: Too strong for kits and older rabbits
Coat Conditioner:
FLAX SEED
Flax seed is a coat conditioner and GI lubricant.
TREATS: lubricates intestinal tract and promotes healthy fur condition
DOSE: crushed/powdered seeds – sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon on feed, daily
NOTES: water-soluble, so it is slippery but not oil-based
BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS
BOSS is a great source of fiber, fat and oil.
TREATS: Increases milk production, promotes fur conditioning, promotes weight gain.
DOSE: nursing does with small litters - 2 Tblsp, large litter 1/2 cup, dry doe and buck - 1 Tblsp each day.
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