In This Issue:

• The Wait is over! The First Aid Guide is here!
• Meet Rabbit Savior!
• Q&A: Ask an Expert

The long-awaited First Aid guide is here! With 169 pages and over 100 color photos, the First Aid Guide for the Domestic Rabbit contains detailed, step-by-step instructions and lots of tips to help you take care of your bunny.

You’ll learn:

• What you should always have on hand
• How to recognize GI stasis and how to treat it
• How to save money and time by learning how to do your own wellness check
• And so much more!

The book can be purchased through The Educated Rabbit website. Click the button below to get your yours now! 

Getting to Know Rabbit Savior

A brand new company called Rabbit Savior launched last month. It's a support source for rabbit owners and rescues worldwide, and The Educated Rabbit is proud to be one of its new partners. In this interview, founder Jonathan Silva shares about his new company. 

Tell us about Rabbit Savior. What is it and when did it officially launch? 

Rabbit Savior is a membership-based program intended to help relieve the burden of expensive vet bills for rabbit owners. Through our insurance-like system, we have designed our own internal crowdsourcing donation platform to help the community to raise funds in a different manner than the widely known platforms.

What is the goal of Rabbit Savior?

The goal of Rabbit Savior is to be the vehicle in which the rabbit community comes together. We want to cultivate a strong bond within the community in order to find solutions to the many problems within the rabbit atmosphere - from rescues and shelters to foster parents and individuals. We want to create a new foundation that allows current rabbit owners, and future rabbit owners, to give their rabbits the best lives possible.

Besides The Educated Rabbit, who else are you partnered with?

We have partnered with who we think are the best companies and individuals to piece together a new outlook on rabbit ownership. We are partnered with rescues, magazine publications, and companies specializing in rabbit services, treats, or toys.

How hard has it been to set up an insurance company just for rabbits?

We have shifted away from becoming an "insurance company" to being an auxiliary aid to the existing insurance policies out there for rabbits. In simple terms, we offer a supplemental assurance complete package.

How has the response been so far, from both rabbit rescues, vets and owners?

It has been a positive and amazing response. We are grateful to be able to work with the best entities in their specific areas of expertise.

How does one enroll? Do you cover older rabbits, rabbits with chronic conditions, and multiple bunnies?

To enroll, visit our membership page here and select the plan that fits your needs. Yes, we cover older rabbits, rabbits with chronic conditions, and multiple bunnies. Our coverage is listed in detail on the membership page.

Many thanks to Jonathan Silva for taking the time to share about Rabbit Savior!

Q&A: Ask an Expert

Q: In a recent post, you mentioned how one of your bunnies was in GI stasis and you suspected an issue with the bunny's bladder. How did you know there was an issue with the bladder and not something in the digestive system?

A: This is a good question. It's always important to remember that GI stasis is a symptom of a problem and not an actual illness. A rabbit may stop eating if in pain, in extreme stress or experiencing an infection (or other disease process) elsewhere in the body (examples would be broken limb, a car ride, or an upper respiratory infection). In the case of Cupcake, I knew he was getting older and probably was experiencing the aches and pains we all get after a certain age. When I took his temperature, I had to hold him upright so I could insert the thermometer. Shifting the body like that can "stir" any contents in the bladder, and soon I could see that there was some precipitate in the urine (FYI, always good to have a towel or two underneath a bunny when you take the temperature). Lots of precipitate (or bladder sludge) in the urine is painful and difficult to resolve. I knew this involved a trip to the vet so x-rays could be taken to check for anything more serious (like a stone). 

The x-rays showed that Cupcake had significant spondylosis (age-related issue). This was what was probably the source of his problem, since spine and nerve pain can make it difficult for a bunny to get into the proper position to urinate, thus the bladder doesn't sufficiently empty, which causes a build-up of sludge. This can also lead to an infection (which it turns out Cupcake did have, so he's on antibiotics as well).

What helped me figure out Cupcake's issue was the fact that I've known this bunny for quite some time. I know what sort of issues he's had in the past and what is normal for him. Having that sort of information can help guide your vet as well, since they don't know your bunny as well as you do. 

If you would like to learn more how to treat GI stasis at home (and know when it's time to bring your bunny to the vet), check out my First Aid Guide for the Domestic Rabbit, available from The Educated Rabbit website now.