Reporting Feed Problems
There are three places you need to report suspected feed issues: Your feed manufacturer, the retailer you purchased it through (if relevant), and your state's Department of Agriculture.
If you are seeing issues in your herd and cannot figure out an obvious cause such as parasites, pasteurella, etc and especially if you think there's a possibility it could be feed-related, be sure to let the feed company know even if you end up switching feeds.
They need to have multiple reports in order to identify an issue. It doesn't help anyone if those who notice problems simply switch feeds without telling the manufacturer, while other people have no idea why their rabbits are having problems and the feed company has no clue why they're losing business.
Even if it turns out to be a disease, they often appreciate knowing as much as they can about it so they can learn how to advise others with the same issue, and so they can have more info. to determine whether it's a disease or a feed issue.
If you purchased the feed through a retailer, the store also needs to know about any possible issues. They need the info. to serve their customers better, and to know if something like the way they're storing feed is causing a problem.
Finally, your state's Department of Agriculture is another place you should contact. They take things quite seriously and will track and follow up reports to find out if there is actually a feed issue or not (I believe they track and gather information on diseases, too, so they want to know even if it's not feed related). If there's enough indication that it may be a feed issue, they will actually run tests on batches of feed.
You can also contact the Dept. of Ag in the state the feed is milled in, but your local Dept. of Ag can and will contact the other state's Dept. of Ag and work together on it if needed.
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Information to include:
* Your name and contact info.
* It would probably be useful to include a general estimate of the number and breeds of rabbits you have, and any other relevant information (for instance, if one breed was affected more than another).
* What you are feeding and how long you've been feeding it.
* Where you obtained the feed.
* When you noticed a change in your rabbits, and if possible batch numbers of the feed involved and when you started feeding that batch. If you have an unopened bag or samples saved, please let them know as they may want to test it.
(I think I'm going to start putting a small sample of each new batch of feed into the freezer when I open the first bag, labeled with the brand, batch number, brand, date of manufacture and date I opened it, just to be on the safe side, so I can save it for a few weeks or months in case there's a problem.)
* Any differences you noticed in the feed itself (appearance, smell, etc.)
* Water source--indicate whether you're using city water, a well, etc.
* Any supplements, other feed, treats, etc. given--or also if you stopped feeding a supplement such as hay around the time the problems started.
* What type of housing the rabbits are in (i.e. if they are in cages up off the ground, or free-ranging where they have access to weeds, areas other animals have been, etc.)
* Symptoms, as specific and detailed as possible. For instance, if you had excessive water consumption it's helpful if you can estimate the amount, either in ounces per pound of bodyweight (1-2 oz/lb/day is average) or something like "2 to 3 times what they normally drink in this weather."
If you performed necropsies on dead animals or noticed changes in what you saw internally while butchering, that would be information to include. Document and photograph things like enlarged organs, black deposits on organs, bladder stones or excessive sludge, etc.
You'll also want to include information on any changes you noticed in your herd's general condition, behavior (i.e. lethargy or going off feed), weight, growth rates, color and texture of urine, etc.
If you have photos, let them know that the photos are available if they need them. One easy way to upload many photos at once is with a free photobucket account--this automatically resizes photos to make file sizes manageable, and makes it easy to share the link to the entire album rather than e-mailing individual photos.
If you have any information, test results or statements from an actual vet who saw any affected animals or carcasses (or even photos of carcasses), that is a huge help to the Dept. of Ag. and can help them actually get moving on it to justify running tests, etc. They are aware, however, that most people don't have access to really good veterinary care for rabbits and that some breeders may handle many issues on their own without a vet.
* Number and type of rabbits affected, and number and type lost. For instance, three lactating does and ten 8 to 10-week-old young rabbits died. If possible give the dates and symptoms noted for each.
* If you changed to a different feed, also include changes that you saw after switching off the questionable feed. For instance, if they had been drinking excessive water but their water consumption normalized after a few days on the new feed, if body condition improved, etc.
* Of course, if there were any other major changes or incidences around the time the problem started, you'd want to include that too. For instance, if it happened after you started housing your chickens and your rabbits together that would be relevant. :)
If you don't have every detail documented, don't worry--just do your best and give as much information as you can.
Shiny Satins Rabbitry, 2011. Feel free to link to this page to share the information with others.
If you are seeing issues in your herd and cannot figure out an obvious cause such as parasites, pasteurella, etc and especially if you think there's a possibility it could be feed-related, be sure to let the feed company know even if you end up switching feeds.
They need to have multiple reports in order to identify an issue. It doesn't help anyone if those who notice problems simply switch feeds without telling the manufacturer, while other people have no idea why their rabbits are having problems and the feed company has no clue why they're losing business.
Even if it turns out to be a disease, they often appreciate knowing as much as they can about it so they can learn how to advise others with the same issue, and so they can have more info. to determine whether it's a disease or a feed issue.
If you purchased the feed through a retailer, the store also needs to know about any possible issues. They need the info. to serve their customers better, and to know if something like the way they're storing feed is causing a problem.
Finally, your state's Department of Agriculture is another place you should contact. They take things quite seriously and will track and follow up reports to find out if there is actually a feed issue or not (I believe they track and gather information on diseases, too, so they want to know even if it's not feed related). If there's enough indication that it may be a feed issue, they will actually run tests on batches of feed.
You can also contact the Dept. of Ag in the state the feed is milled in, but your local Dept. of Ag can and will contact the other state's Dept. of Ag and work together on it if needed.
---------------------
Information to include:
* Your name and contact info.
* It would probably be useful to include a general estimate of the number and breeds of rabbits you have, and any other relevant information (for instance, if one breed was affected more than another).
* What you are feeding and how long you've been feeding it.
* Where you obtained the feed.
* When you noticed a change in your rabbits, and if possible batch numbers of the feed involved and when you started feeding that batch. If you have an unopened bag or samples saved, please let them know as they may want to test it.
(I think I'm going to start putting a small sample of each new batch of feed into the freezer when I open the first bag, labeled with the brand, batch number, brand, date of manufacture and date I opened it, just to be on the safe side, so I can save it for a few weeks or months in case there's a problem.)
* Any differences you noticed in the feed itself (appearance, smell, etc.)
* Water source--indicate whether you're using city water, a well, etc.
* Any supplements, other feed, treats, etc. given--or also if you stopped feeding a supplement such as hay around the time the problems started.
* What type of housing the rabbits are in (i.e. if they are in cages up off the ground, or free-ranging where they have access to weeds, areas other animals have been, etc.)
* Symptoms, as specific and detailed as possible. For instance, if you had excessive water consumption it's helpful if you can estimate the amount, either in ounces per pound of bodyweight (1-2 oz/lb/day is average) or something like "2 to 3 times what they normally drink in this weather."
If you performed necropsies on dead animals or noticed changes in what you saw internally while butchering, that would be information to include. Document and photograph things like enlarged organs, black deposits on organs, bladder stones or excessive sludge, etc.
You'll also want to include information on any changes you noticed in your herd's general condition, behavior (i.e. lethargy or going off feed), weight, growth rates, color and texture of urine, etc.
If you have photos, let them know that the photos are available if they need them. One easy way to upload many photos at once is with a free photobucket account--this automatically resizes photos to make file sizes manageable, and makes it easy to share the link to the entire album rather than e-mailing individual photos.
If you have any information, test results or statements from an actual vet who saw any affected animals or carcasses (or even photos of carcasses), that is a huge help to the Dept. of Ag. and can help them actually get moving on it to justify running tests, etc. They are aware, however, that most people don't have access to really good veterinary care for rabbits and that some breeders may handle many issues on their own without a vet.
* Number and type of rabbits affected, and number and type lost. For instance, three lactating does and ten 8 to 10-week-old young rabbits died. If possible give the dates and symptoms noted for each.
* If you changed to a different feed, also include changes that you saw after switching off the questionable feed. For instance, if they had been drinking excessive water but their water consumption normalized after a few days on the new feed, if body condition improved, etc.
* Of course, if there were any other major changes or incidences around the time the problem started, you'd want to include that too. For instance, if it happened after you started housing your chickens and your rabbits together that would be relevant. :)
If you don't have every detail documented, don't worry--just do your best and give as much information as you can.
Shiny Satins Rabbitry, 2011. Feel free to link to this page to share the information with others.
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