BREEDING AND CARE OF RABBITS 



In severe cases give some powdered arrowroot in luke- 

 warm water. If the stomach becomes inflamed, give 

 ten drops of laudanum in thirty drops of olive oil. 



Infant Mortality: A disease often noticed in 

 youngsters. They appear to have little life and keep drop- 

 ping off one by one without any apparent cause. This 

 disease can usually be traced to the following causes; 

 Sickly and unhealthy parents, or from the doe, which 

 has been bred too often or permitted to raise too many 

 youngsters. If properly bred and only permitted to 

 raise a certain number of young, as explained in the 

 chapter on breeding, this trouble will seldom occur. 



Insects : These are more often found in the ears of 

 Lops than other rabbits and result from unclean hutches. 

 Sprinkle fine sulphur in the infected hutihes after 

 thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting them, also rub 

 some of the mixture upon the rabbit's ears. 



Dizziness: This is a mild attack of paralysis, the 

 symptoms being weak limbs and the head carried to one 

 side. It is caused by indigestion and nerve trouble. 

 Plenty of dandelions and other green foods should be 

 given. A tablespoonful of powdered camphor to a quart 

 of lukewarm water once a day will effect relief and a 

 cure in the majority of cases. If the attack develops 

 into fits, give small doses of brandy and milk. There is 

 little help for the disease at this stage. 



Ophthalmia: This is a disease affecting the eyes 

 of rabbits. They become very sore and swell so much 

 they can scarcely be closed. It is caused by gases arising 

 from dirty hutches, and exposure to draughts. The 

 afflicted rabbits should be placed in the cleanest and best 



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