How do you save a Rabbit from Heat Stroke?

Answer 1

Methods to keep your rabbit cool on a hot day:

• Give your rabbit a couple of hard-shelled freezer packs(to avoid damage by teeth), or freeze water in old bottles and place them where your rabbit likes to lie. Even if the rabbit doesn't want to lay against it, it will cool the air as it evaporates.
• Provide a fan that your rabbit can sit near. Some rabbits do not like a direct breeze, so position the fan to create a cool air flow, but make sure your rabbit can move away from it if he wants to. Fans helps with air flow but otherwise don't much help rabbits because, unlike us, they don't really sweat. A good idea is to drape a cold wet towel near the rabbit and aim the fan at the towel: this will cool the air as the water evaporates.
• Make sure your rabbit is hydrated! Easy access to several water sources is ideal, and if your rabbit will drink from a bowl you can try leaving a handful of ice cubes in the water to keep it cool for an extended period of time. Drench your rabbit's salad greens in water, too.
• Air conditioning. This may seem obvious, but if you can afford a cheap a/c unit for the room where your rabbit spends most of its time, your rabbit will be more comfortable.
• Chill ceramic or stone tiles in the freezer for the rabbit to lie on
• Mist the rabbit's ears with cold water
• Maximize air flow and shade in the area. Keep your bunny out of direct sunlight.
• Keep your bunny well-groomed. Excess fur will increase body temperature. But don't brush your bunny much during a heat wave or the hot part of the day: the friction will increase body temperature, too.

Your rabbit's fur coat is the equivalent of you wearing a sweater at all times - if you think you'd be too warm in a sweater, chances are your rabbit is already too warm.

Pet rabbits are bred from the European Rabbit, which is adapted to mild, Mediterranean climates, where it never gets too hot. Pet bunnies are most comfortable between 50-75F (10-23C), and when it gets over 78F (25C), they're at risk of deadly heat stroke.

If your rabbit is overheated and can't be cooled down by the above methods or a shallow bath in a lukewarm water (i.e. if the rabbit has heat stroke, not just heat stress/exhaustion), you may have a medical emergency on your hands.

Signs of heat stroke (be prepared to visit the vet immediately!)

• Panting
• Lethargy
• Salivation
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Convulsion

If your rabbit has heat stroke, do NOT put him in a bath!This would actually make the problem worse (the cold water shrinks the blood vessels, making it even harder for the body to cool itself down). It could also put the rabbit in shock. Instead, dampen the ears with cool water, and seek immediate veterinary help.

See the related questions below for more info and helpful links.

Answer 2

Heat stroke can be fatal in rabbits. Although you need to act quickly, don't panic since now getting it to a vet is not the wisest move you should take. That being said, it will be too late if you do so. At this very moment, you should know pretty well what are bunny heat stroke symptoms and ways of giving emergency treatment.

There are following Immediately Treat:

1- Move the rabbit to a cool space

2- Cool the rabbit down

3- Offer the rabbit some water to drink

4- Avoid cooling the rabbit too quickly