A first aid kit for your rabbit can literally mean the difference between life or death when it comes to injuries and illness.
One of the first things you should invest in is a good first aid kit. I would even recommend having this item before you bring your new bunny home. Rabbits are not only a fragile animal that can easily get hurt, but have a particular digestive system that can develop blockages quickly as well. Having a thorough first aid kit can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Rabbit First Aid Kit
I’m sure you have have first aid items in your home for yourself or your family. Typically they are kept in a medicine cabinet or closet in a central area for everyone to find easily. Your bunny needs it’s own first aid supplies as well. Obviously you are not going to use a band aid on your bun or you’d have a terrible time removing it from their fur, but there are some common items you might already have.
That being said, I find it helpful to have separate supplies for bunny and to keep them nearby your buns primary living area. I am a super organized person and have found using a tackle box works perfectly to keep all supplies in a neat and orderly fashion. Since I have bunnies all over my house, I keep my first aid kit in my front entry coat nook close to the kitchen.
I also keep blankets, towels, spare house key, grooming supplies, a to-go bag, playpen and pet carriers in the coat nook bench seat so I can grab whatever I need. There is nothing worse than feeling high anxiety and panic during an emergency and not knowing where things are. (I myself do still feel high anxiety and panic anytime something happens to one of my buns….that’s just my nature)
Items To Include In A First Aid Kit
(As with anything else, always keep a check on expiration dates and replace the old with new. I make it a point of doing this biannually.)
- Tackle Box
- Oxbow Critical Care or Sherwood Timothy Recovery Food
- Syringes
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Cotton Pads
- Gauze Pads
- Vet Tape
- Antiseptic
- Saline
- Antibiotic Cream
- Nail Clippers
- Styptic Powder
- Hock Socks or small cat socks, leggings
- Kleenex
- Baby Wipes
- Rectal Thermometer
- Infant Gas Drops
- Saline Eye Drops
- Baby Food & Spoons
- Pineapple Juice
- Bottled Water
- Notebook & Pencil
- Flashlight
- MEDS:
- Support Tablets- joint and digestive
- Benebac Probiotic
- Terramycin
- Oflaxacin Ear Drops (prescription from vet)
- Meclizine
- Panacur or Safe-Guard (both are fenbendazole)
NOTE: The meds I have listed I have included due to illnesses my buns have had previously. I now keep them on hand so I can start treatment at home in case the vet is closed. I use the joint support tablets daily for 2 of my arthritic buns and the digestive I use on my other 3 during shedding season. If any show signs of poop slowing down or lack of eating I administer the Critical Care Immediately. Terramycin is an eye ointment for any number of issues. (Oflaxacin is a prescription drug which I had for a bun with an eye infection… I’ve kept it on hand until it expires). Meclizine and Fenbendazole (given in the treatment of head tilt due to E. Cuniculi or Ear Infection) are meds I will never be without. (My Winter had his illness come on within a 20 minute period.) Make sure to keep track of expiration dates and replace when needed.
I like to keep all info regarding my fluffle close at hand too. I have developed a 33 page Rabbit Guide & Logbook which is an instant download on Etsy. It contains pages of relative information as well as pages where you can record your rabbit’s info. (Purchase once and download as many times as you need) I printed mine, put each page in page protectors and put them in a binder.
When putting together my first aid kit, I began by raiding my own personal first aid supplies. Then I hit the dollar store to fill in with other items. I followed up by ordering additional items as needed, many of which you can find in The Mercantile. (check under Health, Grooming and Diet)
Not only do you want to keep your first aid kit in a central locale, but make sure to take it with you when you have an outing with your buns, go on a day trip or vacation or (hopefully you will never have to) find the need to evacuate your home.
Final Thoughts
Investing in a first aid kit with items your rabbit may need will give you peace of mind if and when the time comes that you need to use it.
