Rabbits, as I'm sure you know by now, are very sensitive and fragile creatures. They are also very sensitive to temperature, especially heat. Rabbits are far more sensitive to heat than humans, dogs, or cats. When a rabbit overheats, this is called heatstroke.
Heatstroke is characterized by significantly increased breathing rate, convulsions, lack of energy, panting, flared nostrils, weakness, salivation, and reddening of the ears. Once the rabbit reaches this point, the likelihood of the rabbit surviving is very slim.
If your rabbit is exhibiting symptoms of heatstroke, immediately take action and do everything you can to cool it down. Be careful not to bring the body temperature down too quickly though, as that can cause death. You can drape a wet (but not cold) towel over the rabbit's body, or drip water onto the rabbit's body. You could also submerge the rabbit in tepid water, except for its head. Immediately call the vet and get there as soon as possible, as time is of the essence.
If caught in earlier stages of heatstroke, you can mist the rabbit's body with a spray bottle, paying particular attention to the ears. You can also rub water into the fur so that it reaches the skin. Don't bring down the rabbit's body temperature too quickly, or it could go into shock.
To prevent heatstroke, keep your rabbit in an environment that doesn't get hot. Keep the rabbit's cage out of direct sunlight. In hot months, it's best to keep your rabbit in an climate-controlled environment (one with AC), or if not, in a well-ventilated space with plenty of fans going. This can be the difference between life and death for your rabbit. On hot days, you can put frozen plastic water bottles in your rabbit's cage, and drape wet towels on the floor or sides of the cage. If you have a portable fan, you can use that in combination with the wet towels to bring down the temperature. You can also rub water onto your rabbit's ears, as the capillaries in the ears help regulate body temperature.
Heatstroke is characterized by significantly increased breathing rate, convulsions, lack of energy, panting, flared nostrils, weakness, salivation, and reddening of the ears. Once the rabbit reaches this point, the likelihood of the rabbit surviving is very slim.
If your rabbit is exhibiting symptoms of heatstroke, immediately take action and do everything you can to cool it down. Be careful not to bring the body temperature down too quickly though, as that can cause death. You can drape a wet (but not cold) towel over the rabbit's body, or drip water onto the rabbit's body. You could also submerge the rabbit in tepid water, except for its head. Immediately call the vet and get there as soon as possible, as time is of the essence.
If caught in earlier stages of heatstroke, you can mist the rabbit's body with a spray bottle, paying particular attention to the ears. You can also rub water into the fur so that it reaches the skin. Don't bring down the rabbit's body temperature too quickly, or it could go into shock.
To prevent heatstroke, keep your rabbit in an environment that doesn't get hot. Keep the rabbit's cage out of direct sunlight. In hot months, it's best to keep your rabbit in an climate-controlled environment (one with AC), or if not, in a well-ventilated space with plenty of fans going. This can be the difference between life and death for your rabbit. On hot days, you can put frozen plastic water bottles in your rabbit's cage, and drape wet towels on the floor or sides of the cage. If you have a portable fan, you can use that in combination with the wet towels to bring down the temperature. You can also rub water onto your rabbit's ears, as the capillaries in the ears help regulate body temperature.