Air Travel and rabbits (+12 hours)

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by MCW.

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- 05/03/2018 at 4:30 AM
  MCW
  Participant
  5 posts
  Hello,
  
  So my 2 rabbits will be travelling on a 12+ hours flight from New Zealand to Asia country. I am so stressed that they won’t be able to make it. They will be 2 years old in 2 months, the time they are going to leave. As NZ regulation, I cannot take rabbits in the cabin with me. Whenever I take them on car ride, they seem pretty stressed and cuddled up with each other. However, they do settle in quite fast when the car is not moving. They ate their treats and drank water just fine. But they didn’t poop at all, only peed. Last time the car ride was 6 hours. When they came home, they pooped right away, and they are very soft and squishy and big. Should I be worry about this? Is it because of stress or early sign of GI stasis?
  
  Also, from NZ to Asia, the temperature fluctuation will be quite extreme aswell. From 10c to 20c (the temperature setting in the cargo) and to 30c when they land. Is this okay>
  
  Any have successful stories to tell me? Or if how much water or pellet did he/she consume during the flight in a cargo AND did he/she poop at all?
  
  Anyone have any advice/tips for me? It would really help.
- 05/03/2018 at 9:26 AM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  There is no way to sugar coat this. A rabbit in 30C/86F can die from stroke, heat exhaustian, heart attack, etc, especially if they are not used to temps that high. Any change greater than 10F(~6C?) within a 24 hour period can cause a rabbit to become severely sick. Rabbits need to eat and poop every 8-12 hours, if they do not, they are likely already in stasis. Usually with stasis, you have 24 to 48 hours to see an emergency vet before it becomes fatal. Holding their poop for 12+ hours can cause a blockage which can also be fatal if not taken care of ASAP.
  
  The only advice would be to have an emergency vet lined up so you can take them as soon as you land and make sure you have ice, fans, AC, etc in the car and new home to help avoid heat killers. Or, find another way for transportation.
- 05/03/2018 at 7:55 PM
  kurottabun
  Participant
  908 posts
  Is it for a holiday or are you relocating? If it’s a holiday I would suggest leaving the buns at home and getting someone to take care of them while you are away.
  
  I’m from Asia and over here the average temperature is about 26-33C. I keep my bunny indoors so it isn’t that hot, but he was also born and raised in this climate so he would be acclimatised already. There’s someone on this forum who flew a rabbit from Kuwait to Canada successfully, so I wouldn’t say it’s impossible – just highly risky especially if the bunnies are prone to stress.
- 05/04/2018 at 11:11 PM
  MCW
  Participant
  5 posts
  Hi there,
  
  I am relocating. And I don’t want to leave them behind. One of my bunnies have problems with her legs, she needs more attention than normal. So in NZ, when it’s summer it is quite hot, in fact, it got up to 38 Celsius last summer. I gave them frozen water bottles and a fan and they survived. And where I’m going the average temperature would be 30celsius. However, I hope that during transportation from the plane to terminal area wouldn’t take so long and it will be nighttime as well.
- 05/04/2018 at 11:19 PM
  MCW
  Participant
  5 posts
  Posted By Mikey on 5/03/2018 9:26 AM
  
  There is no way to sugar coat this. A rabbit in 30C/86F can die from stroke, heat exhaustian, heart attack, etc, especially if they are not used to temps that high. Any change greater than 10F(~6C?) within a 24 hour period can cause a rabbit to become severely sick. Rabbits need to eat and poop every 8-12 hours, if they do not, they are likely already in stasis. Usually with stasis, you have 24 to 48 hours to see an emergency vet before it becomes fatal. Holding their poop for 12+ hours can cause a blockage which can also be fatal if not taken care of ASAP.
  
  The only advice would be to have an emergency vet lined up so you can take them as soon as you land and make sure you have ice, fans, AC, etc in the car and new home to help avoid heat killers. Or, find another way for transportation.
  
  So my rabbits are currently staying in NZ, the temperature fluctuated a lot here and last summer, the temp got up to 38 celsius, I gave them water bottles and a fan. Right now it’s around 10 celsius. However, the time that I will be moving them: the temp would be around 5 celsius, the temp setting in the plane would be 20c and 30c at the destination. However, they will be encountering 30c only during transportation from the aircraft to terminal area.
  
  I will get vet appointment ready once I land!
  
  Thank you so much!
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