how long can a rabbit live with kidney failure?

If your rabbit is suffering from kidney failure, you may be wondering how long they have left. Sadly, the life expectancy for a rabbit with kidney failure is often only a few weeks or months. 

However, there are things you can do to help make your furry friend as comfortable as possible in their final days. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what kidney failure is and some of the symptoms to look out for. 

We’ll also provide tips on how to make your rabbit’s last days as comfortable as possible. 

So if you’re worried about your rabbit’s health, keep reading. 

How long can a rabbit live with kidney failure?

When your rabbit has kidney failure, its kidneys can no longer remove toxins from the body. As a result, dangerous substances build up in the bloodstream and damage internal organs. 

There are many different causes of kidney failure in rabbits, making it even harder to determine how long they have left. For example, some cases of kidney failure are temporary, while others will cause the kidneys to stop functioning entirely.

In most cases of chronic renal disease (CRD), a rabbit can expect to live for between three and six months after diagnosis. In some cases, life expectancy may be as short as a few weeks or months.

However, it’s also important to note that rabbits can stay symptomless for years. This is why it’s best to get regular checkups for your rabbit, even if they appear healthy. 

If you’re worried about any changes in behavior or appearance, get them checked out just in case.

How does kidney failure affect a rabbit?

When the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, dangerous toxins build up in the bloodstream. In most cases of CRD, this results in a loss of appetite and weight as well as lethargy. 

In addition, rabbits may also develop sores on their feet from constantly walking around their cage without resting appropriately.

Some other symptoms you might notice include: bad breath, a loss of fur, and lack of energy.

If your rabbit starts to show any of these symptoms, get them checked by a vet immediately. Even if their condition seems stable, it’s always best to seek professional advice. This is especially important if you have more than one rabbit in your care.

If they suffer from different health conditions, they may need other treatments.

What causes kidney failure in rabbits?

There are several different risk factors for CRD, including genetics, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

If you think your rabbit might be suffering from this condition, it’s important to look at their lifestyle and see if anything could be contributing to the problem.

Genetics- Your rabbit’s breed can affect their risk of getting CRD. For example, it is more common in older rabbits than younger ones. It is also more likely to occur in larger breeds than smaller breeds.

Poor diet – If you’ve recently changed your rabbit’s diet, this could be responsible for the problem. Before changing your rabbit’s food, ensure that you have spoken to a vet about it.

Not enough exercise – Bunnies who don’t exercise are also more likely to develop CRD. If your rabbit is spending most of their day sitting in their cage without stimulation, this could be why they are becoming unwell.

How can you tell if your rabbit has kidney failure?

Because the symptoms of CRD are so vague, they cannot be easy to recognize right away. While there are some obvious signs to look out for, you’ll have to keep a close eye on their behavior to spot anything else that might be going on.

For example, you should notice changes in your rabbit’s appetite. A loss of interest in food is a common symptom of CRD, so be on the lookout for this. In addition, you may also notice that they are producing fewer droppings than usual.

Your rabbit will likely have lost a lot of weight in terms of appearance, and its fur may have turned dull and lifeless.

As well as these signs, you might also notice that your rabbit is struggling to stand properly. They may become wobbly on their feet and seem unstable.

Can vets treat kidney failure?

In most cases of CRD, a vet will prescribe medication to help control the symptoms. This can include diuretics which help reduce fluid build-up in the body. However, they will only recommend using these without further complications.

For example, if your rabbit also has arthritis, the vet may suggest avoiding diuretics altogether. This is because it could worsen their existing condition.

What can you do to keep your rabbit healthy?

If your vet thinks that kidney failure is a possibility, they may also suggest some changes to your rabbit’s lifestyle. 

This includes:

Ensuring that they receive the right amount of exercise – If you keep your rabbits in a hutch outside, take them out daily and let them run around for at least 20-30 minutes every day. 

Providing them with a varied diet – Ensure that you are only feeding your rabbits a balanced diet. Check if they need to be receiving any supplements too. 

Make sure their housing is comfortable enough – Make sure that the hutch or cage your rabbit lives in is well ventilated and large enough for them to make full use of their living space. If not, this could lead to some severe health problems.

Keeping an eye on their weight – Make sure that your rabbit isn’t gaining any extra weight, putting unnecessary pressure on their delicate organs. Obesity can have a significant impact on CRD, so you should monitor this by assessing how big they look.

If left untreated, CRD can lead to death. However, the sooner you act on the problem, the higher your chance of successfully treating it.

If your rabbit is showing signs of kidney failure, be sure to ask a vet for advice before changing its diet or exercise routine. Not only could this make things worse, but it might cost you more money in vet bills too.

By following these tips, you should help keep your rabbit as healthy as possible. If they end up suffering from CRD, this will hopefully reduce its impact on them and allow you to enjoy their company for longer.

Where is the kidney located in a rabbit?

A rabbit’s kidneys are located near the middle of their spine, either side of their spine towards their lower back.

How big are rabbit’s kidneys?

The size of a rabbit’s kidneys depends on the breed. They are about an inch in length and an inch wide.

Please note: These living tips have been contributed by various Rabbit Haven’s online community members. The Rabbit Haven is not responsible for any outcome or damage following these suggestions. Please feel free to share your living tips in the comment section below.

How long can a rabbit live with kidney failure?

Unfortunately, it is unknown how long a rabbit can survive with CRD. This will vary from case to case depending on many factors, including their age, the stage of CRD, and any other health problems they are suffering from. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the shelter.

Rabbit kidneys are approximately 4 – 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. They can be found near the lower spine on either side of the back.

How much do kidneys weigh?

A rabbit’s kidneys are around 5 centimeters long and 3 to 4 centimeters wide.

The size of functional, healthy kidneys tends to vary by breed and also between males and females.

For example, on average, a female’s kidneys are smaller than a male’s male’s. However, the size of an individual rabbit’s kidneys will depend on how big they are (e.g., weight).

What is the life expectancy of a rabbit?

The expected lifespan of a rabbit tends to vary by breed and size. The average life expectancy of a rabbit is 6 – 10 years.

Some breeds, such as the Rex rabbit, tend to only live for 4 – 5 years, while larger species (e.g., Giants) can live up to 13 years.

Conclusion 

Unfortunately, kidney failure is a fatal condition. If your rabbit has been diagnosed with this illness, it is important to give the pet as much love and care as possible until its time comes. 

In addition to providing your best friend with plenty of fresh hay for nesting and living space, you should also provide them with the food they can eat without chewing or an additional water source in case their appetite decreases due to the disease. 

We hope that our blog post about how long a rabbit can live after being diagnosed with kidney failure was helpful with these considerations made. 

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