Osteoporosis is a disease that causes a reduction in bone density, causing them to become weak and brittle and more likely to fracture.
Why does my rabbit have osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is caused by lower levels of calcium and vitamin D in the rabbit’s body and lack of exercise, spaying, protein deficiency, corticosteroid use. Vitamin D helps the rabbit to synthesise calcium and as most pet rabbits are kept in hutches, sheds or in a house they do not get the access to the natural, unfiltered sunlight or exercise that they need. House rabbits are most commonly affected as glass filters out UV light. When exposed to the sun the rabbits’ skin can manufacture Vitamin D which helps the body to absorb calcium from its diet.
If a rabbit is fed a muesli type diet it will more often than not selectively feed and only eat the parts of the diet that it likes. Unfortunately this means that the pellets that contain the calcium and vitamin D will be left. Even if these are eaten, evidence suggests that these rabbits are still more prone to dental disease, so muesli diets are not recommended for rabbits.
How do I know if my rabbit has osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis affects the density of bones making them weaker, therefore the first sign noticed in rabbits can be fractures. Rabbits may show signs of pain by sitting in a hunched position, not eating or drinking, grinding their teeth or rapid and shallow breathing.
Osteoporosis can also cause dental problems as the jaw bones weaken the teeth can become loose and cause pain and difficulty on eating, a rabbit may have a wet chin or front paws due to salivating excessively too. They are also likely to favour different foods and lose weight and body condition.
If any of these signs are noticed the rabbit should be taken to a vet urgently.
How will my vet know what is wrong?
Your vet will complete a thorough health check on the rabbit and will more than likely recommend x-rays to assess the bone density and damage if a fracture is suspected. More advanced imaging, such as MRI may also be suggested if cost is not an issue, and many pet insurance policies will cover this, if your rabbit is insured.
The rabbit’s teeth will also be examined to check for signs of disease, but dental x-rays will be needed to confirm the extent of the damage. This will need a general anaesthetic or sedation.
How is osteoporosis treated?
Osteoporosis can be treated by ensuring the rabbit has enough calcium and vitamin D in its diet, supplements can be given or an increase in leafy green vegetables and good quality hay. The diet needs to be carefully managed so ensure the rabbit doesn’t become overweight or doesn’t drink enough as they can be prone to getting urinary tract problems, such as sludge and stones as they will absorb all the calcium from such a calcium-rich diet.
If your rabbit has a fractured bone your vet will discuss the surgery necessary to fix this, or the decision will be made to euthanise if surgery isn’t possible.
Dental disease can be treated by placing the rabbit under general anaesthesia and removing any teeth that are causing problems. Not all vets will be confident in performing this procedure, so a referral to a rabbit vet that specialises in dentistry may be required.
How can I prevent osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can be prevented by feeding your rabbits a good quality diet that includes at least 85% hay/grass, fresh leafy green vegetables and herbs, and a small amount of pellets (1 level tablespoon per kg of bodyweight per day). Muesli mixes should be avoided to prevent selective feeding and the rabbit should have access to a large enough outside area for exercise and sunlight, even in winter.
