heat stress or????

[lopeared]

Its been extremely hot here lately with today being the worst at 103. I can't bring the buns inside due to a cancer patient. Thumper the buck has been acting somewhat down all day. His face and feet is wet due to him washing in his water bowl. I noticed his breathing was a bit labored when I went out a few minutes ago. Is this just due to heat stress or something more? He lives in an open hutch under a lean too with plenty of air flow if the air is moving, which its not at the moment. He does have ice bottles for cooling.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

I would err on the side of safety and up the cooling efforts-- spray those ears,see if you cant get a fan out there--sometimes, a few days of heat are tolerable, but extended periods weakens the body..

 

[lopeared]

I just took out another ice bottle and refilled his bowl with COLD water. He was eating his pellets and his face was dry. His feet are still a little wet from the water bowl. I really will be glad when this heat wave breaks.

 

[SatinsRule]

All summer long, I've been filling my rabbits water crocks with ice at noon during my lunch break. It takes about 14 ice trays being emptied 3 times daily to turn the trick, but it has worked very well despite some really intense heat.

Many of your rabbits will begin taking to lying in their crocks in order try and cool off, but whatever cools them off is something most breeders tend to be cool with.

 

[cmabb]

Keep a misting system on them if you can and a fan. Keep with the frozen water bottles. I often put ice cubes in with them and they just love it. I also cant wait until the heat is over

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Keep a misting system on them if you can and a fan. Keep with the frozen water bottles. I often put ice cubes in with them and they just love it. I also cant wait until the heat is over

After the heat is over, we'll all be complaining about the cold!!!

 

[SatinsRule]

I often put ice cubes in with them and they just love it.

You know what I like? After I put ice cubes in with my juniors, they dip their front feet in the cold water and flip the excess onto me. It feels great on just about any hot summer day.

And to the last poster, you mark my words. You will never see me complain about it being "too cold". I'm one of those souls who LOVES cold weather.

 

[lopeared]

I put a fan on him and extra cold water. He seems to be handling the heat a bit better. Still not 100% but a lot better.