Cardiovascular disease

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Cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, is not unheard of in rabbits. Most cardiac diseases in rabbits relate to infectious, toxin-induced, or diet-related diseases.^:400

Some examples of heart disease in rabbits include congenital abnormalities such as ventricular septal defects and age-related cardiac problems such as valvular disease.^:400

Most cardiac disease is diagnosed in pet rabbits over the age of four years, and the larger breeds such as New Zealand whites and French lops are over-represented.^:401

Symptoms

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease in rabbits include the following:^:400

• exercise intolerance
• difficult or labored breathing (dyspnoea)
• anorexia
• weight loss

Experiences

• Judith Books. (2023). Burt's story
• B. Lord et al. (2010). Congestive heart failure in two pet rabbits (RIP)

Further reading

• Dr. Maggie Wood. Heart Disease in Rabbits
• Vetlexicon. Heart failure
• Esther van Praag. Congestive heart failure in rabbits [PDF] (Graphic)
• Sarah Ozawa, DVM, et al. (2021). Clinical and pathological findings in rabbits with cardiovascular disease: 59 cases (2001–2018)
• Barbara Deeb, DVM. (2011). Cardiovascular Disease in Rabbits: More questions than answers
• Kathy Smith. (2004). Heart Disease [PDF]