The Annual Rabbit Vet Checkup: What to Expect

One of the most important things you can do for your rabbit’s health is something many owners overlook: scheduling a routine annual veterinary examination. Rabbits are prey animals that instinctively hide signs of illness — by the time symptoms become obvious, a health problem is often already serious. Proactive preventive care is essential.

Why Annual Exams Are Critical

Unlike dogs and cats, which often show obvious signs of illness, rabbits suppress symptoms to avoid appearing vulnerable. A rabbit behaving “normally” at home may already be in significant pain from dental disease, early kidney disease, or reproductive cancers. The annual exam is your opportunity for a trained exotic vet to find what you might miss.

Annual examinations for rabbits should ideally become bi-annual (every 6 months) once your rabbit reaches 5–7 years of age, when the risk of age-related conditions increases significantly.

Finding a Rabbit-Savvy Vet

Not all vets are equally qualified to treat rabbits. Rabbit medicine is a specialist area — it differs substantially from cats and dogs in anatomy, physiology, drug dosing, and anaesthesia protocols. Always seek out one of the following:

• A vet with a specific interest or Certificate in rabbit medicine
• An exotic animal specialist practice
• A vet recommended by the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), which maintains a directory of rabbit-friendly vets in the UK
• In the USA, vets listed by the House Rabbit Society or the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV)

Ask specifically: “Do you regularly see and treat rabbits?” A vet who sees one rabbit a month is not the same as one who sees dozens weekly.

What Happens During a Rabbit Health Examination

A thorough rabbit wellness exam typically covers:

Weight and Body Condition Score

The vet will weigh your rabbit and assess their body condition score (BCS) — feeling along the spine and hips to assess whether your rabbit is underweight, overweight, or healthy. Weight changes of even 10% can be significant in rabbits.

Teeth and Mouth Examination

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in domestic rabbits. The vet will examine the incisors (front teeth) for alignment, length, and colour, and will probe and examine the cheek teeth (premolars and molars) for spurs, overgrowth, and abscesses as much as possible without sedation.

Eyes and Ears

Checking for discharge, cloudiness, third-eyelid protrusion, ear mite signs, wax buildup, odour, and infection.

Heart and Lungs (Auscultation)

The vet listens to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Rabbits can develop cardiomyopathy and respiratory infections that are not visible externally.

Abdomen Palpation

Gently feeling the abdomen for organ size, bladder stones, gut contents, masses, and signs of gas or pain.

Skin and Coat

Checking for parasites (mites, fleas, fly eggs), fur condition, dandruff, bald patches, skin infections, and sore hocks.

Perineal Area

Examining the genitals, scent glands (for impaction), and the area around the bottom for signs of flystrike risk, urine scalding, or infection.

Neurological Check

Basic assessment of gait, balance, and eye movements for signs of neurological issues.

Vaccinations: Region-Dependent

In the UK, EU, and Australia, annual vaccination against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD1 & RHD2) is strongly recommended and available via combined vaccines (e.g., Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus in the UK). These diseases are endemic and almost universally fatal in unvaccinated rabbits.

In the USA, these vaccines are not currently licensed, though RHD2 is spreading and research into vaccines is ongoing. Always check current guidance with your vet.

What to Bring to the Appointment

• A recent fresh dropping sample (if you’re concerned about gut health)
• A list of current diet including hay type, pellet brand and amount, and vegetables offered
• Any medications or supplements your rabbit currently receives
• Notes on any behavioural changes — changes in appetite, activity level, or droppings you’ve noticed
• The rabbit in a secure, familiar-smelling carrier lined with hay to reduce travel stress

Questions to Ask Your Vet

• Are their teeth within normal range? Any early concerns?
• Is their weight ideal for their breed and age?
• Is their diet appropriate?
• Are there any early signs of disease I should monitor?
• What vaccinations are recommended in our region?
• At what age should I begin scheduling bi-annual checkups?

The RabbitCare App

The RabbitCare App (free on Android) includes a health records feature where you can log vet appointment dates, vaccination records, weight history, and medication notes. Set calendar reminders for annual and bi-annual checkups so your rabbit never misses a vital examination.

---

References & Sources

1. RWAF — “Vet Care for Rabbits” — rabbitwelfare.co.uk
2. House Rabbit Society (HRS) — “Finding a Good Rabbit Vet” — rabbit.org
3. Meredith, A. & Lord, B. (Eds.) (2014) — BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine, BSAVA
4. Varga, M. (2014) — Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, 2nd ed., Elsevier
5. Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) — aemv.org