![\"Hierarchy](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/1.png\")
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It\u2019s warming up here in Minnesota, and the weather has been pretty close to perfect, with the sunshine, warmer temperatures, and the goldfinches and house sparrows filling the air with their chorus. This is the time of year when many species become highly active, resulting in more interactions with other animals. It\u2019s like how you chat with your neighbors over the fence \u2013 you have many more conversations in June than you do in February! So as life opens up, we need to ensure that our pet rabbits are kept from harm, whether or not they actually go outside.<\/p>\n
![\"Hierarchy](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2.png\")
<\/h4>\nPotential hazards for rabbits include:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Please note that this is not a definitive list. I\u2019m sure a fair number of folks reading this are thinking, \u201cBut what about [some other hazard I didn\u2019t think of]? How come that\u2019s not on there?\u201d Probably just because it didn\u2019t occur to me at the time! I could write a whole book on preventive measures for pet rabbits, and that\u2019s clearly beyond the parameters of a blog entry. So rather than tell you exactly what to avoid, I\u2019d like to suggest a way to think about rabbit risk management.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The field of public health can <\/span>provide<\/span> some useful guidance here. These are the folks who spend all day trying to figure out how to keep people safe from harm while causing the least hindrance (<\/span>i.e.<\/span> they <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> want to be a pain in the rear). <\/span>The <\/span>Hierarchy<\/span> of Controls is a public health framework used to guide interventions from the most effective to the least effective, generally speaking<\/span>.<\/span> Here\u2019s<\/span> an illustration, with obvious modifications by yours truly:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Hierarchy of Controls is probably familiar to all of us, whether you know it or not (Zoom meetings all day = administrative control \u2013 \u201cchange the way people work\u201d). But you can use this basic framework to address any hazard.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For example:\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Hazard:<\/span><\/b> You\u2019re a rabbit owner who\u2019s agreed to cat sit for a friend. It would be most convenient if the cat could stay at your house, and your friend says that the cat would probably get along great with your rabbit, since it\u2019s never been aggressive to anything or anyone. You bring the cat over to your house only to discover that the cat\u2019s prey drive is highly activated by the rabbit. What do you do?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is, in general, how I think through problems of how to reduce risk to patients.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s say you came here looking for more direct instructions, and you want to know what you need to do right now. Here are a few thoughts along those lines:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These are general recommendations. Ultimately, the best preventive measures are tailored to the individual rabbit. I hope this summary provides you with both ideas and tools for your own bunny. Work with your rabbit\u2019s veterinarian to devise the ideal protocol.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Seeking veterinary care for your avian or exotic pet? All our local veterinary partners who see small mammals are listed on our website: https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/about-us\/locally-owned\/<\/a><\/p>\n Need referral care for your avian or exotic pet? You can set up an appointment with our Avian & Exotic Medicine Service. Learn more here: https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/veterinary-services\/avian-exotic-medicine<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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![\"Hierarchy](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/3.png\")
<\/p>\nThe <\/span>Hierarchy<\/span> of Controls<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"Hierarchy](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/heirarchy-hazards.png\")
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![\"Hierarchy](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/4.png\")
<\/p>\nIndoor & Outdoor Considerations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Indoor setting:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
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Outdoor setting:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
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![\"Hierarchy](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/5.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Avian](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/FINAL_Fast-Track-Triage-for-Clients-Facebook-Post-6.png\")
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