Thursday, January 16, 2014

Heat Strokes

Bunnies can get very hot in the summer so it is not to rare to have bunny get heat stroke.

Heat Stroke: What is it?
Heat stroke (we'll just do HS for now OK?) is when bunny gets too hot and gets overheated. This can make bunny pass out and possibly die! 

Prevention:
Bunny should never be outside in over 85 degree weather. However, 80 is a better limit. Don't let her do heavy work outs in 82 degree weather.
If it is very hot inside fill up a plastic soda and/or water bottle, freeze it then put it in bunny's cage. 
NOTE: It is a good idea to not put bunny's cage  in direct sunlight. (Not in complete shade)

What would I see if bunny gets heat stroke:
.Rapid breathing
.Panting/gasping/raspy sounds
.Limp and/or unresponsive 
.Feeling oddly hot
.Laying flat (which bun may do to cool off. This does not always mean he has HS)
.Slow/No Heartbeat
.Fast heartbeat (bunnies do tend to have a faster heart rate then people)

First-Aid:
Get bunny into shade ASAP! Wrap a cool, damp- not wet!- cloth around bunnies ears, not her whole body. Keep bunny in an air conditioned room. Offer her cool water. If she is unresponsive for over 15min. take her to the vet.

Chilling out, Snowberry?