Here are some good things to keep on hand in case of an emergency or even a small problem. These items are not intended to replace
vet care, but they can solve small problems and lessen an emergency to keep a rabbit stable until you can get to a vet.
Below is a list of the things you should have, and why they are important.
Bag Balm: For applying to sores, abrasions, and sore hocks
Bandages and sterile gauze: To bandaging wounds
Chamomile Tea or Rescue Remedy: Used to calm a stressed rabbit.
Disinfectant (Such as peroxide): For cleaning wounds
Disposable razor: To shave the fur around a wound
Electrolytes (Pedialyte is good): If your rabbit is not drinking or it has diarrhea, it will become dehydrated and loose electrolytes.
Eye Dropper: For administering medicine. Make sure the cc amounts are marked on the eye dropper.
Flea Comb: For removing fleas and their eggs
Ice pack : For cooling a rabbit in case of stress or heatstroke - To be used only to keep a rabbit stable until you reach a vet. Heatstroke should be treated by a vet.
KY jelly (Or Vasoline): For lubrication with a thermometer
Mitacide: For treating
ear mites
Neosporin: For applying to wounds
Oral Syringes: (No needles). This is used to force feed or liquid into the rabbit if it is not eating or drinking.
Petromalt: Used to prevent hairballs.
Q-Tips: For cleaning wounds and for removing scabs from ear mites
Quik Stop: For stopping the bleeding if a nail is cut too short.
Saline solution: To flush the eye if it is infected or has something in it
Scissors (Small, sharp): To clip fur away from wounds, etc.
Sterile Cotton Balls: Cleaning wounds.
Syringes with needles: To give antibiotic and other injections. (If you are not familiar with injecting rabbits, leave this up to the vet.)
Thermometer (Animal or pediatric anal): For taking the temperature. The temperature should be from 101 *F to 103 *F. It is a good idea to find your rabbit's normal temperature before there is a problem. Then you know whether or not the temperature is high. For example, a rabbit with a normal temperature of 101 *F could have a fever at 103 *F, even though that is in the normal range for rabbits.
Towels of varying sizes: To wrap a stressed or struggling rabbit in
Tweezers: To remove ticks, burrs, foxtails, etc.
