Dutch Dwarf Rabbit

The Dutch Dwarf Rabbit is an animal of the order Lagomorpha and family Leporidae. It weighs 246-462 grams, with an average weight between 398-436 grams. The body length is 23.5-29.5 centimeters, tail length is 15-24 millimeters, and hind leg length is 67-76 millimeters. The fur color ranges from brown to dark gray, and the edges of the short and round ears are white. Their ears and feet are covered with thick fur, and their tails are very short.

They mainly live in areas with tall and dense sagebrush plants. They are the only rabbit species in North America that dig their own burrows. The rabbit burrows are excavated in deep, loose soil, with a wide area and multiple interconnected chambers. They are herbivorous animals, mainly feeding on sagebrush plants, as well as tender roots, tubers, bark, seeds, and nuts of other plants. They are found in various regions including California, Idaho, and Montana in the United States.

The dwarf rabbit is the smallest rabbit species in North America, which can easily fit in the palm of your hand. Adult rabbits weigh 246-462 grams, with an average weight between 398-436 grams. They have a body length of 23.5-29.5 centimeters, a tail length of 15-24 millimeters, and a hind leg length of 67-76 millimeters. Their fur color ranges from brown to dark gray, and the edges of their short and round ears are white. Their ears and feet are covered in dense fur, and they have a short tail.

The dwarf rabbit is very intelligent and can understand its owner's words. It also observes its owner's actions and reacts accordingly. Its expressions are very rich and vivid. It is a very charming and caring rabbit breed, suitable for all people to raise.

1. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease

Also known as viral hemorrhagic disease, it is an acute infectious disease caused by rabbit hemorrhagic virus. It poses great harm to young and adult rabbits over three months old, but usually does not affect suckling rabbits. It often breaks out in early spring and spreads rapidly throughout the entire group once it occurs, with a mortality rate of over 95%. The most acute form of the disease is characterized by sudden collapse, screaming, convulsions, and death. Most infected rabbits have a body temperature above 41℃, lethargy, decreased appetite, rapid breathing, a swimming posture of the limbs, and some experience convulsions, with foam-like blood flowing from the nose. They usually die within 12-36 hours after experiencing seizures. Currently, there is no specific drug treatment for this disease. The key is to vaccinate against rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Inject 1ml of the vaccine into rabbits aged 1-2 months and 2ml into adult rabbits to effectively prevent the occurrence of the disease. If a rabbit is infected, it should be isolated immediately and the entire group should be vaccinated with the "emergency prevention vaccine for rabbit hemorrhagic disease," which can also yield good results.

2. Pasteurellosis

Pasteurellosis is an acute febrile septic infectious disease caused by Pasteurella multocida. It primarily affects rabbits aged 2-6 months, especially in spring when it occurs frequently. If not controlled promptly after onset, the death toll can be severe. In the acute form of the disease, infected rabbits suddenly develop a high fever above 41℃, rapid breathing, sneezing, runny nose, and sometimes diarrhea. Prior to death, their body temperature drops, they shiver all over, and their limbs convulse, often resulting in death within 12-18 hours. The chronic form of the disease is characterized by an elevated body temperature, difficulty breathing, a wheezing sound similar to a bellows, thick nasal discharge, sneezing, scratching the nose with the front paws, decreased appetite, and death primarily due to emaciation and exhaustion. The course of the disease lasts 1-2 weeks. This disease can be effectively prevented and treated by vaccinating with Pasteurella multocida vaccine. After onset, each rabbit can be given a 0.50g injection of lincomycin plus 400,000 units of penicillin twice a day for five consecutive days, resulting in better effects. Alternatively, each rabbit can be given a 2ml injection of 10% sulfadimidine, or a 0.25g injection of oxytetracycline, mixed with feed and administered twice a day, both of which have significant effects.

3. Rabbit Colibacillosis

This disease primarily affects rabbits aged 1-4 months, especially the first litter and young rabbits, and the mortality rate is very high. It can occur throughout the year, but particularly in spring. Infected rabbits have a normal body temperature, depressed mood, emaciation, teeth grinding, drooling, loss of appetite, a preference for drinking water, abdominal distension, yellowish watery feces near the anus, a large amount of mucus similar to nasal discharge in the feces, some transparent crystalline feces, and some firmer feces resembling dry rat droppings. Those with a short course of the disease die within 1-2 days, while those with a longer course die within about a week. The prevention of this disease mainly involves strengthening feeding and management, maintaining good hygiene, and avoiding frequent changes in feed and the feeding of moldy feed. Once the disease occurs, timely treatment is necessary. Each kilogram of body weight should be treated with 15mg of nitrofurantoin or 0.20g of berberine, taken orally three times a day for three consecutive days. Alternatively, each rabbit can be injected with 2ml of gentamycin or sulfadimidine twice a day.

First, buy a suitable cage that allows the rabbit to stand up; provide enough food, feed three times a day, such as grass, rabbit food, etc., and give one pineapple pellet per day. The owner should brush the rabbit's fur once a day to help with shedding and prevent hairballs. Trim the nails once a month to avoid overgrown nails, and longer-haired breeds need to have their fur trimmed every two to three months to prevent excessive thickness and difficulty in heat dissipation. Since rabbits clean their own fur, there is no need to bathe them unless necessary. The care of dwarf rabbits is quite simple. Due to their small size, they do not require a large amount of space for activities. Owners can also let them exercise outside the cage, which not only increases their exercise but also reduces their stress.

It is best to comb the fur of the Dutch Dwarf Rabbit once a day. Some long-haired breeds may need to have their fur trimmed every two to three months to prevent overheating due to excessive fur thickness. Many people like to bathe their pets, but when feeding a Dutch Dwarf Rabbit, it is important to avoid getting its fur wet, so bathing is not recommended.