Mini Rex

Sore hocks (pododermatitis)

SignsHair loss and redness on the hocks, scabs, bleeding, shifting weight from foot to foot, sitting more

PreventionAvoid wire or slatted floors; use thick, soft mats. Change urine-soaked flooring daily. Prevent obesity and overgrown nails

Footpad ulcers / osteomyelitis

SignsDeep wounds or pus on the hocks, swelling, not bearing weight on the foot, fever, reduced appetite

PreventionSee the vet at the red-skin stage of sore hocks before it progresses. Keep wounded feet off damp floors

Obesity

SignsLarge dewlap, spine hard to feel, uneaten cecotropes, sluggish movement, dirty hindquarters

PreventionLimit pellets to 1.5% of body weight or less and feed mainly hay. No daily treats. Weigh monthly

GI stasis

SignsNot eating hay, small and few droppings, bloated belly, teeth grinding, hunched posture

PreventionUnlimited hay and daily exercise. Gently remove shed fur by hand during molting. See the vet if not eating for 12 hours

Coat wear / moist dermatitis

SignsThinning coat with skin showing, red and raw skin in damp areas, odor

PreventionStiff brushes and damp floors damage the coat. No bathing; dry the hindquarters or chin right away if wet

Malocclusion

SignsDrooling that wets the chin, leaving hard hay uneaten, eye discharge, lump under the jaw

PreventionFeed mainly hay to wear down the molars. Do not rely on pellets. Check the jaw and teeth regularly

Footpad lacerations / ulcers

PreventionFeet are easily injured in slat gaps and on steps. Cover the whole floor with thick mats and check the soles daily

First aidPress with clean gauze to stop bleeding. Keep the foot dry and place it on a dry cloth. See the vet the same day for deep wounds or pus

Spinal fracture

PreventionSupport the chest and rump when lifting; set it down if it struggles. Do not let it jump from heights

First aidIf the hind legs do not move, do not handle it; slide it flat into a carrier. Go to the vet immediately without jostling. Report whether it has urinated

Trapped because of curly whiskers

PreventionNarrow the gaps between furniture and cage bars. Block any gap a head fits through with a board

First aidDo not pull; move the furniture to free it. Do not wash scrapes on the face or neck; see the vet for swelling or bleeding

Broken, bleeding nail

PreventionNails break easily when an overweight body loads them. Trim monthly. Avoid long-pile rugs

First aidPress with gauze for a few minutes, then apply styptic powder or flour. See the vet the same day if torn out at the root

Pasteurellosis

RouteBites, scratches, contact with nasal discharge or saliva

PreventionWash wounds under running water. Do not put your face close or share food mouth-to-mouth. See a doctor if it swells

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with the fur or skin of an infected rabbit

PreventionIf you find hair loss or dandruff, wear gloves for care and wash your hands. Isolate the animal

Cheyletiella (walking dandruff)

RouteContact with an infected rabbit, shared bedding

PreventionEven on a short coat, see the vet if dandruff is noticeable. See a dermatologist if people develop a rash

Allergies (fur, hay)

RouteInhaling shed fur, dander, or hay dust

PreventionFine fur floats during molting, so wear a mask and ventilate. Shake dust off the hay

Food

• Timothy hay as the staple, always available. Give a pile larger than its body
• Pellets at 1–1.5% of body weight, split into 2 meals a day; keep it on the low side since it gains weight easily
• Small amounts of vegetables such as komatsuna or bok choy. Fruit and treats in very small amounts

Water

• Fresh water daily in a heavy ceramic bowl or a bottle
• About 100 ml per kg of body weight per day. Watch out if it drops

Toys & play

• Chew sticks, straw mats, straw balls
• Paper bag or cardboard tunnels (avoid printed surfaces)
• Foraging games with hay stuffed in paper tubes. Prevents inactivity and obesity

Nest, bed & hideout

• One wooden or cloth hideout where it can hide
• A low step for climbing exercise. Keep jump-downs within 20 cm

Bedding & litter

• No wire or hard slats. Thick cloth or hemp mats over the whole floor
• Corner litter box with highly absorbent wood pellets or paper litter
• Change litter daily. Replace mats as soon as they get wet; keep several to rotate

Cage / housing material

Metal wire cage with a pull-out tray. Materials it cannot chew

Size & space

At least 80 cm W x 60 cm D x 60 cm H. Tall enough to stand up in

Layout

• Thick mats over the whole floor, especially thick around the litter box where it gets wet
• Litter box in a corner, hay rack above the litter box
• Water, food, and hideout away from the litter box where they stay dry

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sun, direct AC airflow, and temperature swings near the entrance or windows
• A quiet place away from dogs, cats, and loud noises. Raise it slightly off the floor

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• 1–2 hours of free-roam time every day. Lack of exercise leads to obesity and sore hocks
• Lay non-slip mats on hard flooring; do not let it run for long on hard floors
• Enough space to hop and run. Block cords and gaps outside the pen

Temperature & humidity

Temperature18–24°C. Over 28°C risks heatstroke; below 5°C needs warming

Humidity40–60%. High humidity leads to footpad dermatitis and coat damage

Summer & winter

• Run the AC 24 hours in summer; provide an aluminum plate or frozen water bottles
• In winter cover the cage with a blanket and heat only part of it. Avoid overheating too

Nail trimming

Trim monthly with small-animal clippers, short of the quick. Overgrown nails shift weight onto the hocks and cause sore hocks

Brushing, skin & coat care

Stiff brushes cut the coat. Stroke with damp hands or a rubber brush to remove shed fur. Daily during molting

Other care

Never bathe. Inspect the soles and hocks daily. Wipe and dry any wet areas. Check the molars and jaw weekly

Protection from predators

• Never in the same room as dogs, cats, or ferrets. Lock the cage
• Avoid outdoor housing; crows, stray cats, and weasels come
• Flystrike from mosquitoes and flies is a risk in summer; use screens and keep it clean

Foreign-body ingestion

It swallows a lot of short shed fur and easily develops stasis from hairballs. Remove fur by hand during molting. Keep threads from cloth mats, rubber, and cords out of reach

Being stepped on

It tends to come to your feet, and being heavy and slow it cannot dodge. Look down when walking. It burrows under sofas and kotatsu tables, so check before sitting

Getting pinched

Curly whiskers make it hard to judge gap width, so the head or feet get caught behind furniture or in doors. Use door stops and block gaps during free-roam time

Falls

Even if used to being held, it may suddenly kick, fall, and break its spine. Hold it only while sitting on the floor, briefly. Its heavy body also injures the soles when jumping off a sofa

Escape

Pen at least 80 cm high. Do not open the balcony or front door. If it escapes, set out favorite food and a hideout with your scent, and wait at dusk

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving; hold still without pulling your hand
2. Stroke the rabbit's back with your free hand to calm it
3. Do not push a finger into the side of its mouth; lower its body to the floor and wait for it to let go
4. Once it lets go, put it straight into its hideout and leave it alone for a while

After the release

Wash with running water and soap, then disinfect. Deep wounds, swelling, or fever risk Pasteurella; see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Time of last meal, condition of droppings, type of flooring, weight trend. Bring photos of droppings and soles, and put hay in the carrier

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and touch the ears or body to check for a response
• Check breathing by chest movement. Normal is about 30–60 per minute
• Place a hand on the chest to check the heartbeat. Normal is about 130–325 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes. Do not lift to check
• For sole bleeding, press with dry gauze and keep the foot off the floor
• For nail bleeding, press styptic powder or flour onto it

Transport

• Line the carrier with a thick towel to protect the soles. Cover it to keep it dark
• In summer place a towel-wrapped ice pack beside it; in winter put a hand warmer on the outside