Rabbit Care in Concord MA
Rabbits are gentle, curious animals that deserve thoughtful and experienced veterinary care. At West Concord Animal Clinic, we are proud to be a rabbit vet that families in Concord MA and nearby towns can count on.
Rabbits can be more delicate than they appear, and they are very good at hiding signs of illness. That makes regular wellness visits especially important. When something does go wrong, it can change quickly.
Whether you are scheduling your rabbit’s first checkup, dealing with a dental concern, or worried that something is not quite right, we are here to help.
Rabbit Wellness Exams
We recommend bringing your rabbit in for a wellness exam once a year. During a routine visit, one of our veterinarians will do a thorough physical exam from nose to tail. We check the teeth, eyes, ears, coat, weight, and body condition, and we take time to talk with you about diet, housing, and daily habits.
Rabbits age faster than people. A yearly visit gives us a baseline for what is normal for your rabbit, which makes it much easier to notice when something has changed.
If your rabbit has never had a wellness exam, or if it has been more than a year since their last visit, it is a good time to come in. Early exams are one of the best investments you can make for your rabbit’s long-term health.
Rabbit Emergency Veterinary Care
Rabbits can go from appearing healthy to seriously ill in just a few hours. If your rabbit is showing any of the signs below, please call us right away at 978-610-6870.
- Not eating or drinking for 12 hours or more
- No droppings, or very small or misshapen droppings
- A bloated, hard, or tender belly
- Sitting hunched and not moving
- Grinding teeth loudly
- Difficulty breathing
- Head tilting to one side
- Sudden changes in behavior or alertness
During our office hours, we do our best to see urgent cases the same day. Please call us first so we can prepare for your arrival.
GI Stasis in Rabbits
GI stasis is one of the most common and serious conditions we see in rabbits. It happens when the digestive system slows down or stops completely. Without treatment, GI stasis can become life-threatening within hours.
The most common signs are a rabbit that has stopped eating and stopped producing droppings. Your rabbit may also seem unusually still, have a visibly bloated belly, or grind their teeth from discomfort.
GI stasis is always a reason to call us. Treatment typically includes fluids, gut motility medications, pain relief, and supportive care. The sooner we can help, the better the outcome tends to be.
Rabbit Dental Care and Tooth Trimming
Dental problems are very common in rabbits, and they are one of the leading causes of appetite loss. A rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lifetime. If those teeth become overgrown or misaligned, they can cause serious pain and make it impossible for your rabbit to eat normally.
Signs of dental problems in rabbits include dropping food while eating, drooling, weight loss, a preference for softer foods, and reluctance to chew hay.
We perform rabbit tooth trimming, molar filing, and incisor treatment. A dental exam is included in every rabbit wellness visit. If we notice a concern, we will walk you through what it means and what the next steps look like.
You can learn more about our approach on our dental care page.
Rabbit Spay and Neuter Surgery
We offer rabbit spay and neuter procedures at our Concord MA clinic. Spaying or neutering your rabbit is about more than preventing unwanted litters. It has real health benefits.
Unspayed female rabbits have a very high risk of developing uterine cancer as they age. Spaying significantly reduces that risk. Neutering male rabbits can also improve behavior and reduce certain health risks.
Before any surgical procedure, we perform a pre-anesthetic exam and may recommend bloodwork to make sure your rabbit is a good candidate for anesthesia. We monitor your rabbit closely throughout the procedure and make sure they are comfortable during recovery.
If you have questions about rabbit surgery, we are happy to talk through what to expect.
Common Health Concerns We See in Rabbits
Beyond GI stasis and dental disease, there are other conditions we commonly see in rabbits. Knowing what to look for can help you get your rabbit the care they need sooner.
- Head tilt (caused by ear infections or certain parasites)
- Ear mites
- Snuffles, a respiratory infection caused by Pasteurella bacteria
- Sore hocks, which are pressure sores on the feet
- Uterine cancer in unspayed females
- Obesity from a diet too high in pellets and too low in hay
If you notice anything unusual in your rabbit’s behavior, appearance, or eating habits, please do not hesitate to call us.
Your Trusted Rabbit Vet Near Concord MA
West Concord Animal Clinic is located at 29 Domino Dr. in Concord, MA. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
We care for rabbits with the same patience and attention we give to every patient. Our appointments are unhurried, which means you will have time to ask questions and feel confident about your rabbit’s care.
If you are ready to schedule a visit or just have a question about your rabbit, give us a call or book online.