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Rabbits/Expert Profile

Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

U.S.
On Vacation
returns 05/31/2013
Expertise

I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:

RULE #1:
THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.

  • If your rabbits is LETHARGIC
  • If your rabbit is NOT EATING
  • If your rabbit is PHYSICALLY INJURED (including broken bones)
  • If your baby rabbit has DIARRHEA
...it is an EMERGENCY.

Find a rabbit vet at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online! If you can't get in touch with your vet, read these Emergency Sick Bunny Instructions.

If you have found a wild baby rabbit, please read these EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR WILD BABY RABBITS and then use this link to FIND A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR who can give you the right advice.


RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question.
  • If you already have been to the vet and still need help
  • if you can't find an available vet with the resources above
then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!

For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.

Experience in the area

I have been rescuing domestic and wild rabbits for more than 25 years. I have written articles for many rabbit rescue publications, as well as for the veterinary journal, Exotic DVM. I own EtherBun, the internet's largest listserve dedicated to health, care, and behavior of domestic rabbits.

Organizations

Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc. (H.A.R.E., Inc.) president National House Rabbit Society (Board member)

Publications

Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide

Education/Credentials

Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English

Awards and Honors

Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)

What do you like about this subject?

Rabbits are wonderful, intelligent creatures. I want to help them and their caregivers.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Greater public awareness of rabbits as companion animals. They do not belong in an outdoor hutch. They belong inside, with the other members of the family. I am opposed to the breeding of rabbits for any reason.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Rabbits are intelligent, interactive companions, as loyal and loving to a family as a dog or cat. The caregiver must learn the language of an herbivore/prey animal whose psyche and evolutionary history are different from that of a dog or cat. To win the trust of a rabbit is to win that of a wild spirit who will teach you many amazing things.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

A rabbit should be treated as a member of the family. Rabbits are NOT "low maintenance" pets! A huge number of rabbits are abandoned each year by people who purchased them without realizing the commitment necessary to live with a creature so complex, sensitive, and intelligent. I hope that by educating people about rabbit nature and proper care, I might help stem this tragic tide.


This expert accepts donations for HouseRabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc.:      

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UserDateKCPComments
Pamela05/10/13101010Thank you so much for your caring .....
Jeanette Brandon-Kennedy05/10/13101010Thank you so much for once again .....
Cassie05/09/13101010Thank you for your quick answer! There .....
sienna05/09/13101010
Diane04/10/13101010Dana is amazing! I have learned so .....

Recent Answers from Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

2013-05-05 Separating un-intentionally bonded rabbits:

Dear Courtney    There is no easy way to deal with this.  The two bunnies should not have been allowed to bond in the first place, and separating them now will be very hard on both of them.    What about

2013-05-03 Your opinion on whether or not I should get another rabbit:

Dear Jeannette,    Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how she will react.  Rabbit bondings must be done slowly and carefully, and the BEST way is to allow the bunny to choose her own mate from among

2013-05-03 swell in cheek n chin bunny:

Dear Yoona,    This is most likely a dental abscess.  If removing the offending tooth/teeth does not help, then ask the vet about putting bun on *subcutaneous* injections of dual-acting Penicillin G Procaine/Benzathine

2013-05-03 (urgent) rabbit not eating walking standing and doing nothing:

Dear Tushar,    As my instructions state, the internet is NOT the place to seek help in an extreme emergency like this.  You need to get your bunny to a veterinarian immediately.  Please see:    http://www

2013-05-03 bunny:

Dear Riina,    The GI stasis could be a result of the pain she is having from the chronic dental disease.  Has the pus been cultured?  Please see:    http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html    and  

 

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