Page:Care and Management of Rabbits.djvu/259

Rh from eating oats and hay too soon. It is also caused by lack of proper nourishment.

It is a digestive trouble pure and simple, and the first thing that one should do on discovering its presence is to examine the ration and see what is causing the trouble. Once ascertained, it should be removed and steps taken to relieve those already afflicted.

The rabbit should be isolated in a separate hutch and the ration formerly given should be taken away. It should also be denied water for a while. The best local treatment, outside a change of feed, is to rub common table salt on the jaws in the corners of the mouth and such other parts as appear wet. Also put it on the forepaws if they are wet.

The only feed that should be given is bread and milk and crushed oats, rolled oats being better it procurable.

. Young stock are usually affected oftener than old stock. The disorder is first apparent in the droppings and as soon as they appear to be loose and in long links,