Several small bottles or jars. Empty containers from prescription drugs work well.If you start with a healthy rabbit and take good care of it, you should have very few health problems. If a problem does arise, early treatment will increase your rabbit’s chances for a full recovery. Having the necessary things on hand will help you start treatment as soon as a problem is noticed. The best advice is to assemble a first-aid kit; some of the supplies you may already have in your home.
For common medications, find several other rabbit owners who would also like to make a first-aid kit for their animals. Most medicines come in fairly large amounts. It helps if you can share the supplies and the cost with others.
Several small bottles or jars. Empty containers from prescription drugs work well.
Large container to hold your first-aid materials. A shoe box is about the right size.
Labels so you can mark each presription-drug container with its name and dosage information.
Cotton balls to clean wounds or apply medicines. Store these in a plastic bag.
Cotton swabs to clean wounds or remove ear mite crust. Store swabs in a plastic bag.
Hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds.
Disposable rubber gloves.
Nail clippers for keeping nails trimmed. These may also be used to trim teeth. Use ordinary nail clippers intended for humans, or if you have a large breed, use dog nail clippers.
Small pair of sharp scissors to trim hair from around wounds.
Plastic eyedropper to give liquid medicines or put oil in ear to treat ear mites. Wash well between uses. Store in a small plastic bag.
Miticide or cooking oil to treat ear mites.
Antibiotic cream for wounds, and Bag Balm or Preparation H for sore hocks.
Papaya tablets for prevention and treatment of wool block.
Piperazine for worming.
Sulfaquinoxaline for coccidiosis.
Eye drops for nest box eye infections.
Your Rabbit: A Kid’s Guide to Raising and Showing, by Nancy Searle. Practical advice on raising rabbits for pets, profit, or show. Includes information on housing, feeding, grooming, breeding, and more. Paperback. 160 pages. ISBN 0-88266-767-X.
Be prepared for emergencies by keeping a fully stocked first-aid kit on hand.
Your Puppy, Your Dog: A Kid’s Guide to Raising a Happy, Healthy Dog, by Pat Storer. Both parents and children can use this thorough guide to choosing, feeding, grooming, exercising, and training a new puppy. Paperback. 176 pages. ISBN 0-88266-959-1.
Making Your Small Farm Profitable, by Ron Macher. This practical, step-by-step guide to operating a small farm in the new millennium examines 20 alternative farming enterprises. Readers will learn how to target niche markets and sustain a farm’s biological and economic health. Paperback. 288 pages. ISBN 1-58017-161-3.
Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit, by Carol Ekarius. Presents a natural, organic approach to livestock management that produces healthier animals, reduces feed and health-care costs, and maximizes profitability. Readers will also learn the basics of animal housing, fencing, health, reproduction, and feeding, plus how to market a livestock business using conventional and alternative strategies. Paperback. 192 pages. ISBN 1-58017-162-1.
Raising Animals by the Moon: Practical Advice on Breeding, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Animals in Harmony with Nature, by Louise Riotte. Teaches readers how to take advantage of favorable moon phases to improve hens’ laying, goats’ and cows’ milk production, breeding and weaning dogs and cats, and much more. Also explains how to use herbs to prevent and treat health problems in dogs, cats, chickens, goats, horses, fish, cows, and pigs. Paperback. 176 pages. ISBN 1-58017-068-4.
Build Rabbit Housing, by Bob Bennett. Step-by-step instructions for making hutches, feeders, waterers, nest boxes, and carrying cages. Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-82. 32 pages. ISBN 0-88266-296-1.