In order for rabbits to grow up healthy and feel comfortable, many factors must be taken into account. These include temperature, humidity, movement speed and air composition, lighting.
Consider the temperature at which the rabbits live and how the temperature increase affects the vital activity of the animal.
Temperature for growing rabbits
The temperature of the content of rabbits, at which they feel well, is + 12-18 ° C. The normal temperature in a rabbit's cage should fluctuate within ± 5 ° С. Rabbit breeders often care about the question: what is the maximum temperature that rabbits can withstand? Adult animals are able to withstand temperature peaks of ± 30 ° C for several days, but they require additional care. Outside these temperatures, animals die. It should be remembered that rabbits do not tolerate sharp fluctuations in temperature, increased or decreased air humidity and drafts. The optimum humidity for their content is 60-75%. On strong drafts the animal can catch a cold.
Did you know? Rabbits are social animals, that is, in the wild nature live in groups. This distinguishes them from the hares. Their life expectancy in the wild is about a year, at home 8-12 years.
How does high temperature affect rabbit health?
The rabbit's body temperature is regulated mainly through the ears and breathing.. This process is much more complicated due to the lack of animal sweat glands. At a temperature of 20-25 ° C respiratory rate increases, and at 30 ° C shortness of breath appears. As a result of the evaporation of moisture from the mucous membranes of an animal, its body is partially cooled. Large rabbit ears are important in the thermoregulation of the body. The blood vessels on the ears dilate.
To cool them, the rabbit spreads his ears to the sides, thus increasing the area of contact of the vessels with air. Such a mechanism works well if there is air movement in the cell, caused, for example, by a fan. In normal healthy condition, the rabbit's body temperature is 38-40 ° C. At a temperature of 41.5 ° C the respiration rate decreases, but it becomes deep and convulsive.
Important! If the rabbit temperature rises to 41 ° C, you should contact your veterinarian.
It is important to monitor animals and Do not allow the temperature in the cells to rise to critical values. High air temperatures adversely affect the frequency of food intake by animals, increasing the need for moisture. Freshness of the water must be monitored daily. Rabbits do not like to drink warm water, so on hot days it can be changed several times a day. To avoid heat stroke, rabbits consume more water and are almost not moving. It should be noted that in natural conditions animals do well at critical temperatures. They hide in earthen holes.
How to lower the temperature in the cells in summer
Despite the fact that the rabbit may be subject to sunstroke when exposed to direct rays, sunlight plays an important role in the life of the animal. Within daylight, the animals need natural light. In hot weather, when kept open, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the animals and take measures to lower the temperature in the cages. To do this, the roof of the cells is covered with straw, hay, mowed grass, sheets of undulating slate - all that has a low thermal conductivity and protects rabbits from heat stroke.
Cold-water bottles wrapped in cloth, tiled or stone slabs from which coolness emanates can be put into the cells. Rabbit gladly lies on his stomach on these plates, because the wool on it is not so thick. The best shelter in hot weather is a street enclosure located in the shade. The temperature of the earth remains low due to cooling by rather deep layers. It is recommended to provide windows in the design of closed rabbitries. For good ventilation, their area should be 8-10% of the floor area.
The first signs of a rabbit getting thermal or sunstroke
When the temperature rises, the animal first behaves excitedly. It is torn, looking for a cool place. Later the rabbit becomes lethargic, lies, having spread its legs on the floor, does not get up and does not eat. After a while, rapid breathing goes into shortness of breath. As a result of heat stroke, the temperature control mechanism of the animal is disturbed, and this leads to heat stress. The animal's body gives out less heat than it absorbs, it leads to an increase in body temperature, disruption of the central nervous system and in severe cases can lead to coma. As a result, blood circulation is disturbed, leading to respiratory arrest.
Did you know? The maximum recorded rabbit ears length is 80 cm. The maximum lifespan is 19 years. The speed of the rabbit is 56 km / h. Their eyes are so constructed that they can see what is happening behind them without turning their heads.
How to give first aid to a rabbit in heat or sunstroke
Treatment procedures should be carried out without delay. First, the animal must be transferred to the shadow. You should know that the body of the rabbit must be cooled gradually. Sharp temperature fluctuations can adversely affect the weakened body of the animal. It is necessary to cover the rabbit with a towel moistened with cool water, wet the feet and the neck.
If the animal can not drink, you should pour cool water into the mouth with drops. To bring the animal's blood circulation to normal, need the help of a veterinarian. For this purpose, a dropper with saline may be used. The doctor must, as an animal, prescribe treatment. Sometimes even broad-spectrum antibiotics are used. Control of body temperature should be mandatory. If help is provided on time, then the pet will quickly stand on its feet, otherwise it is in mortal danger.
Important! If the rabbit owner lays him almost on his back, thinking that the rabbit is enjoying himself in this position, then this is wrong. Man by such actions provokes a state of temporary paralysis in an animal. The rabbit constantly lies, does not rise, does not move, does not perceive sounds and pain. This defensive response is motivated by fear.
To prevent overheating of animals, it is necessary to provide good ventilation and cell cooling on hot days and provide animals with sufficient water.
