“It’s fairly obvious to us, as humans, that environment plays a large part in the development of health problems. We sometimes overlook the even more important role it plays in the health of animals who are totally dependant on us to provide the perfect living conditions. If we are too hot or cold, we can adjust the thermostat or change our clothes, to give a simple example. If a rabbit is kept in the wrong conditions, it has to tolerate them as best it can. This can lead to very specific health problems, and in addition, the chronic stress of such an incorrect environment depresses the rabbit’s immune system, and makes it much more susceptible to a whole range of other problems. This is a particular problem in rabbits, as they have not evolved to make a great fuss about something, in case they draw a predator’s attention to themselves, and they often, as a result, suffer in silence.”

Richard Saunders BSc (Hons) BVSc MSB CBiol CertZooMed DZooMed (Mammalian) MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine who is RWAF’s Vet Specialist Advisor. You will note he has an awful lot of qualifications after his name, and that’s because he knows his stuff!