Rabbits are the third most popular pets in the UK, with 1.1 million being kept by children and an increasing number of adults. The rise in status of the rabbit from a commodity to an indoor pet has seen an increase in the level of veterinary care now available and we see many pet rabbits as part of our general practice.

Many of the problems that we see in rabbits can be prevented with vaccinations, a healthy diet and good hygiene. We are all aware of the fatal disease Myxomatosis but there is another disease that is just as fatal called Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). VHD leads to the sudden death of a rabbit with few external symptoms. Rabbits can be vaccinated against both of these diseases and we recommend that they be vaccinated at least once a year.

Feeding rabbits a high fibre diet - preferably a large amount of good quality hay, a small amount of a pellet feed and a few greens, can prevent digestive problems. Sugary snacks and carrots can interfere with the rabbit's natural digestion whilst a lack of hay can cause a bloated tummy, diarrhoea and overgrown teeth.

Rabbits consume the first set of faeces that they produce but if they are overweight and unable to reach around or are being fed a poor diet, sticky faeces can become attached to their backside. During the summer months, these rabbits are at the mercy of flies that will lay their eggs on the rabbit and the maggots will grow into the skin causing a terrible condition known as flystrike.

Guinea pigs are also very popular pets, with 0.73 million living in the UK. Like rabbits, guinea pigs are very sociable and can co-exist quite happily in groups of 2 to 4 individuals (assuming that same sex individuals have been neutered).

Many people decide to keep a rabbit and a guinea pig together in a hutch but all too often we see guinea pigs that have been injured by rabbits, often quite seriously.

We do not recommend keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together as they have different dietary requirements. Like us, guinea pigs, are unable to make Vitamin C so they have to be fed a special diet. In addition there is a risk of the guinea pig becoming infected with the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica that can be carried by rabbits and causes respiratory disease.

Keep rabbits with rabbits and guinea pigs with guinea pigs.