Herbal Remedies for Rabbit

I learned from a fellow fiber person on ravelry.com some herbal remedies for sick bunnies. I know about herbal remedies for human healing, but did not know good for bunnies also.
Knitterbunny provides a disclaimer as follows.."a compilation of remedies that were put together by several rabbit breeders and added to by myself. Please use caution ...

Unless otherwise indicated, herbal remedies should be used in the amount of one-two leaves once a day per rabbit.
Blackberry- Use leaves and fruit; this is soothing to the rabbit and can help to cool the animal by increasing circulation, it is good for pregnant does, especially on hot summer days, and can also help to stimulate appetite while Borage- increases milk flow and is slightly laxative
Chamomile- flower has cleansing and calming properties, it helps to relieve pain used as an infusion (tea) calms nervous animals, the tea is also helpful as a wash for weepy eye
Clover- great roughage fresh or dried, somewhat sedative, both the leaf and the flower can be fed, should not be given to young rabbits, and should be fed sparingly to prevent acidosis
Comfre- the active ingredient is cholin, a very powerful healing agent, you can feed the root or foliage (though I use only the foliage), will stimulate appetite, and is generally good as a treat, a compress can also be applied to bruised or sprained areas, use a partial leaf of this as the leaves are very large and Dandelion- use as an appetite stimulant or treat, also helpful to prevent wool block and ease wool block, roots or leaves can be used (though I only use leaves), be sure that the leaves are free of pesticides and from a dog free area, wash well, use up to three leaves at a time. Dill- increases milk production, increases appetite, increases intestinal health, leaves work, but seeds are stronger, use a sprinkling of seeds (side effect, bunnies have “pickle” breath for a short while). Garlic- protects against most disease as well as preventing shock, highly antiseptic, but rabbits don’t like the taste

Mint- dried or fresh mint will increase intestinal health and decrease milk flow (perfect for does that have lost their litter to dry off the milk)- We just tried mint tonight for our bun with undiagnosed bouts of stasis. So far, so good.

Nasturtium- Highly antiseptic, both leaves and flowers are edible and use up to four leaves
Oats- low in starch, high in mineral content (especially K, P, Mg, and Ca), feed very sparingly in summer and do not feed to young animals. Parsley- rich in iron and copper, contains apiol which is useful in the treatment of urinary problems, seeds, leaves, and roots may be used, roots are used for constipation and intestinal obstruction. Raspberry- treats retained afterbirth by encouraging bloodflow to the organs, inproves does condition during pregnancy, ensures a speedy strong birth, and increases intestinal health and Rosemary- flea killer (very good flea killer, if you an get them to eat it), also prevents flea infestation. Sorrel- soothing and cooling, increases blood flow.

Strawberry- antiseptic properties as well as cooling to the rabbit by increasing blood flow, use leaves, roots, and berries, specifically the leaves are rich in iron and supposed to prevent miscarriage, may be ued externally for inflammation, sore eyes, and rashes. Thistles- great to stimulate the appetite, when used with saltines thistles can bring a rabbit back from the brink of death related to intestinal inflammation. Willow- bark contains salicin which cures intestinal inflammation, a branch may be given to weanling babies every day to prevent diarrhea (I have not tried this one myself, no willow trees nearby)

Some additional all natural remedies, not necessarily herbal.

Apple Cider Vinegar- two tablespoons to a gallon of water, fill bowl as necesary, this increases the appetite, and stimulates weight gain. Baking Soda- use as a paste by mixing with a little water to relieve the pain of a nail cut too short, a scratch, or sore hocks (sore hocks should also be treated with an antiseptic, steps should be taken to prevent the exacerbation of the sore hocks by giving the rabbit a piece of drywall or plywood to sit on or moving them to a wooden floored cage)Banana- due to the vitamin B12 and potassium, it encourages weight gain and stimulates appetite, use the peel and banana, both dried chips and thin slices an be used (I freeze them in the summer as an extra treat!) Papaya- stimulates appetite and encourages a healthy coat, (this is fantastic stuff, I use it dried as a treat too)

Bunnny Vets

So for me and many other bunny folk finding a good bunny vet is certainly on the joy list.

This week we had our first vet emergency with HRHEP. I do believe things happen because they are supposed to (notice not necessary for 'a reason'). So the supposed to on Thursday morning was I overslept. Resigned I'd be late for work I did not overly rush the morning and engaged the usual routine. Feed the hound, feed the bun, brush the hound and do daily hygeine, spend time with the bun.

Like most other human companions to buns, I'm sensitive to anything just not right and both bun and hound are creatures of habit and routine. So there was an intuitive sense something was amiss but then there was telltale sign! itty bitty small hard cecals in the corner.

Of course panic set in- after all this was the first anniversary of the passing of beloved Clover. But Dr. Laurie Hess and the team at Bond Animal Hospital saved the day and the bun!

For me the elements of a good bunny vet--
- the practice answers the telephone in a competent and kind manner (kudos Bond)
- the vet is in or if not the practice knows where he/she is available to see your bun-- and the alternate site is close by
- the practice understands potential bun crisis and is willing to fit in new clients
-the vet is a bunny specialist ( as well as other small animal and exotic but grounded in bun care)
- the vet and/or the techs educate you and help you with bun aftercare
-the bun vet has a back up plan for emergencies, letting you know the best place to take your bun when he/she cannot be reached; and has an established professional relationship so the emergency group will contact the bunny vet.
-the vet and/or tech is available for follow up guidance telephone calls.

Why a Rabbit?

If you are planning to bring a rabbit into your home it is important to know that without boundaries and good human smarts, they are destructive creatures.

Rabbits love to chew, and don’t distinguish between the cute little chew toy you bought for them and your wooden furniture. Power cords for many buns are a delicacy! (which is not only annoying, but hazardous), and they enjoy carpeting, clothes, shoes, paper… anything their bunny teeth can wrap around. Then, of course, there’s the digging most rabbits like to do. All can add up to a human’s ruined home.

Yes for me these traits are joyful—the buns keep me balanced, reminding me what is important in this incarnation and I’m fortunate that my rabbits have not been that destructive. Polka ate the vacuum hose, but hey it was not plugged in and now we keep them out of her way. Both Polka and Clover have liked to dig (as has a 40 year history of bloodhounds) so we’ve come up with strategies that neither dog nor bunny can totally destroy the home—and at this time the dog slobber trumps bunny nibbles.

So another joy is knowing my extra effort at vigilance has provided a safe haven for bunny and hound.

Here's another adoption link: HugABunny Rabbit Rescue

The Bunny Joy List

First on my list of the joy of living with a house rabbit is our bun is a wonderful knitting companion.

For winter I'd moved a wood adirondack chair into the kitchen so 'The Polkster' oops Her Royal Highness the Empress Polka- (HRHEP) and I could bond comfortably. As cold weather settled into this draughty room of the house, the chair was piled with cushions and old woolen sweaters to provide a comfortable nest. And there we'd bond and knit.

Little did I know savvy human that I am that when thinking humans are not looking HRHEP uses the chair as a jumping off point to explore the top of her crate, the kitchen counters and most recently the angle of the chair back for a precipitous self-propelled toboggan ride.

Although joy #1 for the human is knitting companionship and joy #1 for the rabbit is gymnastics; I've been concerned the bun will injure herself. So enter the trusty x-pen! There a several makes and models of x-pens out there appropriate for rabbits and in a range of prices. We ordered ours (actually two) from RabbitStop.com Checking the website today I noted the xpen (playpen) is on sale- perhaps joy #1 for the person thinking of getting a rabbit-- for us the joy has passed.

So what's your joy #1?