Hypothermia
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Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when the rabbit's body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Rabbits can succumb to hypothermia within hours. Rabbits that were hypothermic when taken to the veterinarian for initial stasis treatment have been studied to be 5 times as likely to die or be euthanized compared to rabbits that were of normal body temperature.[1]
A rabbit's normal temperature range when measured rectally should be between 101-104°F or 38.3-40°C. Rabbit fur is very difficult to dry properly if they end up wet to the skin, and rabbits can easily get hypothermia if not dried properly after being bathed.
How can I fix a hypothermic rabbit at home?
A temperature below 100°F means the rabbit is starting to go into or is already in shock. Rabbits will be very lethargic with decreased responsiveness to stimuli. If you do not have a thermometer on hand, if your rabbit is already lethargic and their ear tips and limbs feel cold, they are likely hypothermic.
Immediately start warming up your rabbit with heat support.
If your rabbit is hypothermic due to being wet, towel dry them as best as you can, then blow dry them with a hair dryer on low. Use a space heater in an enclosed space to raise the environmental temperature.
If your rabbit is dry, a heating pad, a plastic bottle full of hot water, a microwaved sock full of rice, or a SnuggleSafe disc should be wrapped in a towel to prevent burns. If you do not have any heating accessories, you can microwave a towel or blanket for 30 seconds to temporarily heat it up, or wrap your rabbit completely in a dry towel or blanket. Portable hand warmers are also extremely useful under towels and blankets and should be moved around the body every 5-10 minutes to warm them up.
Ideally, please consider taking your rabbit urgently to a local rabbit-experienced veterinarian for a full diagnosis and possibly hospitalization if necessary, as the hypothermia may be a secondary condition to something more serious.
Further reading
- Vetlexicon. Hypothermia - low body temperature [PDF]
See also
References
- ↑ Kimberly M Oparil et al. (2019). Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes for rabbits with signs of gastrointestinal tract dysfunction: 117 cases (2014-2016). Retrieved 27 Feb 2023 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336181390_Clinical_characteristics_and_short-term_outcomes_for_rabbits_with_signs_of_gastrointestinal_tract_dysfunction_117_cases_2014-2016