Rabbit flystrike emergency checklist
Print this sheet or keep it open while you call a rabbit-savvy veterinarian. It is a note-taking aid, not a treatment plan.
Fast answer for owners
- Go now if: Not eating or no droppings; Bloat, severe pain, collapse, seizure, laboured breathing, flystrike, toxin exposure, trauma, or inability to stand; Time sign started and whether it is worsening.
- Call today if: signs are mild but new, worsening, or linked with appetite or dropping changes.
- Do not: Ask the vet before giving medicines, forced feeding, home remedies, or delaying care.
- Tell the vet: Record last eating, drinking, droppings, urination, behaviour change, pain signs, temperature, toxins, trauma, and medications.
Owner and rabbit
- Rabbit name / age / weight:
- Bonded companion travelling too? yes / no
- Current medications or conditions:
- Clinic called, staff name, and time:
Emergency signs to report
- Not eating or no droppings
- Bloat, severe pain, collapse, seizure, laboured breathing, flystrike, toxin exposure, trauma, or inability to stand
- Time sign started and whether it is worsening
Timeline
- Last ate:
- Last drank:
- Last normal droppings:
- Last urinated:
- Temperature/heat exposure or trauma:
- Foods, plants, medicines, chemicals, or new treats:
Vet instructions
- Go now / monitor / call back time:
- Do not give:
- Bring:
- Follow-up:
Related pages in this emergency hub
Emergency FAQ
Can this wait until tomorrow?
Do not wait overnight if your rabbit is not eating, not passing droppings, weak, collapsed, breathing abnormally, bleeding, bloated, exposed to toxins, or rapidly worsening. Call an exotic-capable or rabbit-savvy vet while preparing to travel.
What should I tell the clinic first?
Start with the main sign, when it began, appetite, droppings, urine, breathing, posture, pain signs, recent surgery, heat exposure, trauma, and any possible toxin or medication exposure.
Should I use a product or home treatment first?
No. Products, food changes, supplements, and home care should only be discussed after a veterinarian has assessed the emergency risk. They are not substitutes for urgent veterinary care.
Source-cited guidance; pending named veterinary review.