AILMENTS OF RABBITS. 



15 



RABBIT SKINS. 



An enormous trade in rabbit skins is carried on abroad. Through- 

 out Europe practically all the skins of marketed rabbits are saved. 

 The number produced in Great Britain and Ireland is estimated at 

 about 30,000,000 annually ; while, according to the English trade re- 

 turns for 1910, there were imported during that year undressed rab- 

 bit skins to the number of 82,327,101. Of these over 11 millions came 

 from Belgium, nearly 4 millions from France, upward of 43 millions 

 from Australia, and 7,379,960 from New Zealand. Most of the skins 

 are sold in bales by weight and only the fur from them is utilized 

 in making felts and other cloths. The better skins, however, com- 

 mand good prices and are made up into garments in imitation of 

 more costly furs. Skins of arctic hares and white rabbits are used 

 to imitate ermine and arctic fox. Skins of Angora and silver gray 

 rabbits sometimes sell for a shilling or more each. Belgian hare 

 skins are usually dyed to imitate black fox or the so-called " black 

 lynx." The}^ are worth several cents each when untorn. 



AILMENTS OF RABBITS. 



If properly cared for, rabbits are remarkably free from diseases. 

 The more common ailments result from insanitary surroundings, lack 

 of care in feeding, and improper ventilation. The hutches should be 

 frequenth^ cleaned and fresh sawdust or other fine litter used to 

 take up liquids, so that the hutches do not become foul. Such ail- 

 ments as mange, scurf, surfeit, and the disease of the eyes known as 

 ophthalmia are due usually to foul hutches. Cold snuffles and the 

 like result from improper ventilation, sudden drafts of cold air in 

 overheated buildings, and similar causes. The disorders of the diges- 

 tive organs come from feeding young rabbits too freely of wet and 

 juicy green foods or from too radically changing their diet. Most 

 diseases are preventable, and if the cause is understood, remedies will 

 suggest themselves. For pot belly, constipation, and like ailments, 

 exercise is the best remedy. If constipation continues, a diet of 

 soft foods or a little castor oil usually gives relief. For diarrhea a 

 little dry barley meal is good, and sometimes powdered acorns in 

 skim milk are an effective remedy. 



Incrustations known as ear canker, and accumulations of ear wax 

 may be cured by mechanically removing the incrustations with the 

 aid of lukewarm water, and then washing with a soft sponge and 

 applying powdered boracic acid. The animal should be held by an 

 assistant. The treatment often requires repeated daily application. 



The most serious disease known among hutch rabbits in America 

 is coccidiosis. It is caused by internal parasites and when present in 

 the rabbitry kills many young rabbits. Extreme caution is needed 



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